Blue Filament Law Aims to Break the Mold of Traditional Intellectual Property Practices

The leadership team of Blue Filament Law PLLC is not afraid to take the path less traveled, and has founded a new boutique legal firm, specializing in international IP services, to support their vision for a new breed of law practice.

Blue Filament Law, based in Birmingham, Mich., officially launched on Feb. 25, 2013, following the joining of the intellectual property practices of Blue Filament Intellectual Property LLC, lead by Attorney Mary Margaret O’Donnell, and Patent Procurement Services, lead by Attorney Avery Goldstein.

“We’re motivated to do something different than what’s traditionally been done in our field,” said O’Donnell.  “We are committed to using our combined decades of experience to provide our clients efficient, cost-effective and high-end legal services.  We are integrating the best technology with the best legal practices to be accessible, responsive and creative for our clients, whether they are right in own backyard, or halfway around the globe.”   

“Mary Margaret and I share the same philosophy for success: quality-focused work, not quantity-focused billing,” said Avery.  “Together we’re creating a new, streamlined model of IP legal services that is fairer, more productive and more rewarding to both our clients and us.  Removing the barriers to client interactions allows for stronger client relationships and work product that aligns with client needs.”

The firm notes that focusing on client goals allows it to structure the practice in a way that highlights per-project or flat fee billing where practicable.  This removes some of the stress and tedium of by-the-minute time tracking that rules most of the legal world, and the annoyance of piecemeal and repetitive billing, helping to improve efficiency. 

Goldstein and O’Donnell shared a similar career trajectory en route to partnering:  they completed law school at the same time, worked for more than a decade in intellectual property boutiques, and then eventually started separate firms in 2011 to explore new models of delivering legal services.  With business for each expanding at a rapid clip, it made sense to unite their two firms and their expertise in different areas of intellectual property.  They joined their practices at the end of February 2013 under the Blue Filament Law umbrella.  Together, they have prosecuted thousands of trademarks and patents worldwide and manage extensive intellectual property portfolios.

“Starting our own firms allowed us to control our own destiny and practice law in an environment that favors excellence, sustainability, creativity and fun,” said O’Donnell.  “Make no mistake about it, though – we know this is a business and we treat it as such.  That said, we love what we do, and it shows.”

Even the firm’s name is a purposeful deviation from the traditional industry norms.  “Why the name Blue Filament?  An interesting name distances us from the stodgy string-of-surname habits, reinforces our view of good branding and is always a conversation starter,” O’Donnell said.  “We chose ‘filament’ because it hints at the idea light bulb symbol used widely in the IP industry without being cliché, and the color ‘blue’ calls to mind a limitless sky and possibility.”   

In addition to a culture dedicated to creativity, flexibility and client service, the firm also is committed to giving back to the community, and does so through regular charitable efforts, mentoring and training.