Andrew Ashton, Associate

Dallas, TX

O: 469-899-5230

Early inspiration and dedication to patent law

Andrew Ashton is a highly motivated patent attorney experienced in a variety of technologies. His trajectory to intellectual property (IP) law was different from most practitioners: Where many engineers work in the field and then decide on a legal career, Andrew set his sights on IP law in high school, inspired by a patent attorney who spoke to his class.

Six academic degrees later, some of which were earned while working, Andrew is proud to work alongside the world-class lawyers of Patterson + Sheridan’s Houston office. He assists clients with patent preparation and prosecution in telecommunications along with electronics and semiconductor technologies, as well as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The lesson of lifelong learning

Andrew believes studying engineering teaches people how to learn: to pick up a novel piece of technology, evaluate it, and figure out the way it works. This ability is particularly useful for a patent lawyer in today’s world of rapid technology acceleration.

Andrew has experience drafting patent applications for everything from mechanical inventions to capacitive smartphones, as well as machine learning applications, circuitry, signal processing and semiconductors for power grids.

His past externships at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) provide Andrew with unique insight into how examiners review patent applications. While at the USPTO, he also gained experience drafting ex parte opinions for Patent Trials and Appeals Board judges for a variety of electrical engineering technologies.

Andrew’s experience also includes serving as an IP Analyst at the Texas Tech Office of Research Commercialization where he performed prior art searches and market research on potentially patentable inventions and drafted Technology Assessment Reports.

A thorough appreciation of innovation

Andrew prides himself on being an efficient and conscientious team player who relentlessly pursues his clients’ interests. He asks thorough questions so he can learn, adapt and react to any invention a client places in front of him. Andrew places high value on the client-attorney relationship, maintaining open lines of communication to meet his clients’ needs and surpass their expectations. He does not end his workday until he is certain he has done his very best for his clients, and for the firm.

During his personal time, he can be found playing golf or tennis, walking his standard poodle named April, working out, or supporting Dallas-based professional athletic teams.

Education

  • M.S., Southern Methodist University, Electrical Engineering, Southern Methodist University, 2021
  • B.S., Southern Methodist University, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics, 2020
  • J.D., Texas Tech University School of Law, cum laude, 2017
  • M.S., Engineering, Texas Tech University College of Engineering, 2017
  • B.S., University of Arizona, Engineering Management, 2014

Bar Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas
  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Registered Patent Agent

Professional Affiliations

  • American Society of Engineering Management

Special Honors

  • “Ones to Watch” in Intellectual Property Law, Best Lawyers in America®, 2024

Early inspiration and dedication to patent law

Andrew Ashton is a highly motivated patent attorney experienced in a variety of technologies. His trajectory to intellectual property (IP) law was different from most practitioners: Where many engineers work in the field and then decide on a legal career, Andrew set his sights on IP law in high school, inspired by a patent attorney who spoke to his class.

Six academic degrees later, some of which were earned while working, Andrew is proud to work alongside the world-class lawyers of Patterson + Sheridan’s Houston office. He assists clients with patent preparation and prosecution in telecommunications along with electronics and semiconductor technologies, as well as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The lesson of lifelong learning

Andrew believes studying engineering teaches people how to learn: to pick up a novel piece of technology, evaluate it, and figure out the way it works. This ability is particularly useful for a patent lawyer in today’s world of rapid technology acceleration.

Andrew has experience drafting patent applications for everything from mechanical inventions to capacitive smartphones, as well as machine learning applications, circuitry, signal processing and semiconductors for power grids.

His past externships at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) provide Andrew with unique insight into how examiners review patent applications. While at the USPTO, he also gained experience drafting ex parte opinions for Patent Trials and Appeals Board judges for a variety of electrical engineering technologies.

Andrew’s experience also includes serving as an IP Analyst at the Texas Tech Office of Research Commercialization where he performed prior art searches and market research on potentially patentable inventions and drafted Technology Assessment Reports.

A thorough appreciation of innovation

Andrew prides himself on being an efficient and conscientious team player who relentlessly pursues his clients’ interests. He asks thorough questions so he can learn, adapt and react to any invention a client places in front of him. Andrew places high value on the client-attorney relationship, maintaining open lines of communication to meet his clients’ needs and surpass their expectations. He does not end his workday until he is certain he has done his very best for his clients, and for the firm.

During his personal time, he can be found playing golf or tennis, walking his standard poodle named April, working out, or supporting Dallas-based professional athletic teams.




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