Do lawyers matter? Evidence from patents

Dimitris Andriosopoulos; Pawel Czarnowski; Andrew P. Marshall

doi:10.2139/ssrn.3966163

Do lawyers matter? Evidence from patents

Dimitris Andriosopoulos, Pawel Czarnowski, Andrew P. Marshall

Accounting And Finance

Research output: Working paper

28 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

We investigate the role of patent attorney capability in determining the economic and technological value of patents. First, we establish a positive correlation between attorneys' substantive expertise (success rate in obtaining patents) and the economic and technological value of patents. Also, we find no evidence that attorneys' process experience (number of patent applications filed) matters for patents. Then we identify the causal effect of patent attorney expertise by using two alternative approaches: changing to a more capable attorney and the openings of four new regional offices by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) between 2012 and 2015. Overall, we find that successful patent attorneys matter as they increase both the economic and technological value of patents. Therefore, innovative firms that employ patent attorneys should closely monitor their success track record.

Original language	English
Place of Publication	Amsterdam
Number of pages	61
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3966163
Publication status	Submitted - 15 Feb 2022

Keywords

patent attorney
patent value
patent quality
event study

Access to Document

10.2139/ssrn.3966163

Andriosopoulos-etal-SSRN-2022-Do-lawyers-matter-evidence-patentsFinal published version, 666 KBLicence: Strath_1

1 Article

Do corporate lawyers matter? Evidence from patents
Andriosopoulos, D., Czarnowski, P. & Marshall, A., 31 Dec 2023, In: Journal of Corporate Finance. 83, 29 p., 102473.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
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2 Citations (Scopus)

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2 Invited talk

Do Corporate Lawyers Matter? Evidence from Patents
Andriosopoulos, D. (Speaker), Marshall, A. (Contributor) & Czarnowski, P. (Contributor)
7 Jun 2023 → 9 Jun 2023
Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
Do Corporate Lawyers Matter? Evidence from Patents
Andriosopoulos, D. (Speaker), Marshall, A. (Contributor) & Czarnowski, P. (Contributor)
28 Jun 2023 → 1 Jul 2023
Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk

Cite this

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Do lawyers matter? Evidence from patents

Abstract

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Research output

Do corporate lawyers matter? Evidence from patents

Activities

Do Corporate Lawyers Matter? Evidence from Patents

Do Corporate Lawyers Matter? Evidence from Patents

Cite this