B. Todd Patterson, Practice Head, Managing Partner

Houston, TX

O: (713) 577-4801 D: (713) 623-4844
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Early pioneer in Houston’s IP market

When Todd Patterson founded Patterson & Streets in May of 1996, he was driven by just one goal: making his clients successful. A lot has changed since then, including our name, but Todd’s devotion to client service continues to guide the firm, shaping how its 90-plus attorneys provide domestic and international intellectual property services. Starting with just one client, global semiconductor equipment manufacturer Applied Materials, Todd and his partners earned a reputation for technical expertise, exemplary service, and a strong work ethic.

Todd’s success in building one of the largest intellectual property law firms in Houston is rooted in strong values instilled at an early age. Encouraged by his father to learn how things work, he would spend most summers during his teenage years installing and repairing air conditioners – which were no match for Houston’s soaring temperatures. By learning the mechanical and electrical processes behind his trade, Todd sparked a passion for working with complex technology that, today, drives revenue for many of the world’s largest companies.

Seasoned strategist, trusted advisor

When it comes to helping companies capitalize on their patent portfolios, Todd’s astute advice and impeccable standard of excellence are a winning combination. With decades of intellectual property experience under his belt, he now serves as a seasoned strategist and trusted advisor, providing sophisticated guidance in portfolio development and management, patent analysis, litigation, and risk assessment.

From a technical standpoint, Todd’s practice encompasses a number of specialties, including electronics and semiconductors, telecommunications, complex software, and mechanical and chemical engineering. He’s particularly well-versed in upstream and downstream oil and gas operations, fuels and lubricants chemical solutions, and wind and solar-powered clean technologies. He puts his technical expertise to work on a range of matters and has served as an expert witness in multiple patent law cases, as well as successfully defended both patentees and third parties in reexamination and reissue proceedings.

Known for his transparency and diligence in tackling problems head-on, Todd offers companies practical and sustainable solutions for minimizing risks while maximizing revenue.


Strategic Guidance

When clients face complex IP challenges, nothing beats having an attorney to turn to who has faced that exact same challenge before. And with Todd Patterson, there’s a pretty high likelihood that’s the case. For example, Todd has:

  • Prepared and prosecuted thousands of patent applications throughout the course of his career
  • Provided IP due diligence on hundreds of high-value mergers and acquisitions
  • Provided assertion diligence and guidance
  • Guided several small startups, from initial product development to multi-million-dollar sales
  • Served as lead counsel on a range of IP litigation matters

Todd draws upon these experiences in his role as a strategic intellectual property adviser. He often helps clients:

  • Make strategic IP decisions, such as whether to patent an invention, sell, license, sue, or otherwise
  • Understand and address the business implications related to IP
  • Navigate patent portfolio management and growth issues
  • Create robust patent programs
  • Develop IP litigation strategies
  • Identify the IP implications of M&A; deals
  • Successfully defend reexaminations and third-party reviews


Power in collaboration

Todd’s client service philosophy was, and still is, central to Patterson + Sheridan becoming the powerhouse patent firm that it is today. While he’s been fortunate to partner with some of the biggest industry leaders, Todd never takes for granted the opportunity to serve clients of all sizes, ranging from small startups to Fortune 500 companies. He’s inspired daily by the innovative people he works with and considers them the best teachers of an education that can’t be bought.


Golden Rules for Client Service
In his Houston office, Todd Patterson displays a picture frame that contains the following quote:

“A customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our business. He is part of it. We are not doing him a favor by serving him. He is doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so.”

This isn’t lip service. Todd lives and breathes this philosophy. With such a strong top-down commitment to client service, Patterson & Sheridan delivers a level of client service firm-wide that sets it apart. Todd says his “golden rules” for client service are simple:

  • Clients first. We are successful only if our clients are successful. In everything we do, we are focused on one goal: helping our clients succeed.
  • Hard work.  We will do whatever it takes to get the job done. We aren’t afraid of rolling up our sleeves and working hard.
  • Teamwork. We let others shine, encourage innovative ideas, and practice humility.
  • Transparency. We are open and honest. Our clients place their trust in us, and in return we provide straightforward, sincere counsel.
  • Integrity. We do what we say we’re going to do. We take ownership of our actions and have the utmost commitment to doing what’s right.
  • Authenticity. We are who we say we are. We stay true to ourselves, in and out of the office.



Todd also values strong, supportive relationships within our firm. He enjoys coaching young associates and goes the extra mile to help foster their professional development. His highly collaborative leadership style ensures that when clients hire our firm, they are strategically aligned with the best attorneys and legal staff to meet their needs.

Defensive maneuvers for work and play

With deep ties to Baylor University, Todd is an avid supporter of the school’s academics and athletics. When he’s not doing a little defensive maneuvering to protect clients’ IP, he’s usually watching it happen during one of the Bears’ football or basketball games. He also enjoys water sports and activities, visiting any beach, and spending time with friends and family.

Practice Areas

Education

  • J.D., cum laude, South Texas College of Law, 1993
  • The University of Texas Dental Branch
  • B.S., Science, Baylor University, 1990

Bar Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas
  • United States Patent and Trademark Office
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • United States District Court for the District of Colorado
  • United States District Court for the Eastern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas
  • Supreme Court of the United States of America

Professional Affiliations

  • Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • American Bar Association
  • Houston Bar Association
  • Houston Intellectual Property Law Association
  • South Texas College of Law Alumni Association
  • The Sedona Conference, Working Group 5 (The Markman Process and Claim Construction)
  • Board Member: Baylor University School of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Baylor University Board of Regents - Chair, Nominating, Governance and Regent Leadership Committee

Special Honors

  • Lawyer of the Year - Patent Law (Houston), Best Lawyers® 2021
  • 'The Best Lawyers in America' in Intellectual Property Litigation and Patent Law, Best Lawyers®, 2013-2024
  • 'Texas Super Lawyer' in Intellectual Property and Patent Law, Thomson Reuters, 2013 - 2023
  • Managing Intellectual Property's IP Stars, Patent Star 2022

Early pioneer in Houston’s IP market

When Todd Patterson founded Patterson & Streets in May of 1996, he was driven by just one goal: making his clients successful. A lot has changed since then, including our name, but Todd’s devotion to client service continues to guide the firm, shaping how its 90-plus attorneys provide domestic and international intellectual property services. Starting with just one client, global semiconductor equipment manufacturer Applied Materials, Todd and his partners earned a reputation for technical expertise, exemplary service, and a strong work ethic.

Todd’s success in building one of the largest intellectual property law firms in Houston is rooted in strong values instilled at an early age. Encouraged by his father to learn how things work, he would spend most summers during his teenage years installing and repairing air conditioners – which were no match for Houston’s soaring temperatures. By learning the mechanical and electrical processes behind his trade, Todd sparked a passion for working with complex technology that, today, drives revenue for many of the world’s largest companies.

Seasoned strategist, trusted advisor

When it comes to helping companies capitalize on their patent portfolios, Todd’s astute advice and impeccable standard of excellence are a winning combination. With decades of intellectual property experience under his belt, he now serves as a seasoned strategist and trusted advisor, providing sophisticated guidance in portfolio development and management, patent analysis, litigation, and risk assessment.

From a technical standpoint, Todd’s practice encompasses a number of specialties, including electronics and semiconductors, telecommunications, complex software, and mechanical and chemical engineering. He’s particularly well-versed in upstream and downstream oil and gas operations, fuels and lubricants chemical solutions, and wind and solar-powered clean technologies. He puts his technical expertise to work on a range of matters and has served as an expert witness in multiple patent law cases, as well as successfully defended both patentees and third parties in reexamination and reissue proceedings.

Known for his transparency and diligence in tackling problems head-on, Todd offers companies practical and sustainable solutions for minimizing risks while maximizing revenue.


Strategic Guidance

When clients face complex IP challenges, nothing beats having an attorney to turn to who has faced that exact same challenge before. And with Todd Patterson, there’s a pretty high likelihood that’s the case. For example, Todd has:

  • Prepared and prosecuted thousands of patent applications throughout the course of his career
  • Provided IP due diligence on hundreds of high-value mergers and acquisitions
  • Provided assertion diligence and guidance
  • Guided several small startups, from initial product development to multi-million-dollar sales
  • Served as lead counsel on a range of IP litigation matters

Todd draws upon these experiences in his role as a strategic intellectual property adviser. He often helps clients:

  • Make strategic IP decisions, such as whether to patent an invention, sell, license, sue, or otherwise
  • Understand and address the business implications related to IP
  • Navigate patent portfolio management and growth issues
  • Create robust patent programs
  • Develop IP litigation strategies
  • Identify the IP implications of M&A; deals
  • Successfully defend reexaminations and third-party reviews


Power in collaboration

Todd’s client service philosophy was, and still is, central to Patterson + Sheridan becoming the powerhouse patent firm that it is today. While he’s been fortunate to partner with some of the biggest industry leaders, Todd never takes for granted the opportunity to serve clients of all sizes, ranging from small startups to Fortune 500 companies. He’s inspired daily by the innovative people he works with and considers them the best teachers of an education that can’t be bought.


Golden Rules for Client Service
In his Houston office, Todd Patterson displays a picture frame that contains the following quote:

“A customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our business. He is part of it. We are not doing him a favor by serving him. He is doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so.”

This isn’t lip service. Todd lives and breathes this philosophy. With such a strong top-down commitment to client service, Patterson & Sheridan delivers a level of client service firm-wide that sets it apart. Todd says his “golden rules” for client service are simple:

  • Clients first. We are successful only if our clients are successful. In everything we do, we are focused on one goal: helping our clients succeed.
  • Hard work.  We will do whatever it takes to get the job done. We aren’t afraid of rolling up our sleeves and working hard.
  • Teamwork. We let others shine, encourage innovative ideas, and practice humility.
  • Transparency. We are open and honest. Our clients place their trust in us, and in return we provide straightforward, sincere counsel.
  • Integrity. We do what we say we’re going to do. We take ownership of our actions and have the utmost commitment to doing what’s right.
  • Authenticity. We are who we say we are. We stay true to ourselves, in and out of the office.



Todd also values strong, supportive relationships within our firm. He enjoys coaching young associates and goes the extra mile to help foster their professional development. His highly collaborative leadership style ensures that when clients hire our firm, they are strategically aligned with the best attorneys and legal staff to meet their needs.

Defensive maneuvers for work and play

With deep ties to Baylor University, Todd is an avid supporter of the school’s academics and athletics. When he’s not doing a little defensive maneuvering to protect clients’ IP, he’s usually watching it happen during one of the Bears’ football or basketball games. He also enjoys water sports and activities, visiting any beach, and spending time with friends and family.

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