Theodore C.

Senior Intellectual Property Attorney

Protect. Strategize. Execute, with Senior IP Judgment. I’m a U.S.-licensed patent, trademark, and copyright attorney with over 30 years of experience advising startups, founders, and established businesses on how to protect, structure, and monetize intellectual property. My work is not about pushing paper. It is about making the right IP decisions early, avoiding costly mistakes, and building enforceable rights that actually support a business. What I Do on Upwork My role is senior legal judgment and strategy. I advise clients on: * Trademark clearance and filing strategy * Patent filing strategy (provisional and non-provisional) * Freedom-to-operate / freedom-to-market analysis * IP risk assessment before launch or investment * IP portfolio structuring for startups and scaling companies For execution-heavy work, including trademark searches, trademark filings, Office Action responses, and provisional patent drafting, I work through a dedicated IP agency that I lead and supervise. This allows clients to receive fixed-fee pricing, faster turnaround, and structured workflows, while still benefiting from experienced attorney oversight. This model delivers better results at a lower total cost. Agency Name: CUMMINGS IP How Engagements Are Structured * Strategy, judgment, and oversight are handled directly by me * Execution and filings are handled through my supervised agency team at fixed fees * All work follows structured processes designed to reduce risk and increase enforceability If your project involves routine IP execution, I will recommend handling it through the agency. If your project requires senior-level legal judgment, I will handle that directly. Scope & Platform Boundaries I do not accept litigation matters through Upwork, e.g., Federal copyright or patent litigation. However, I will discuss these issues upon request. Why Clients Work With Me Clients choose this structure because: * They want senior legal judgment without paying senior rates for routine work * They value predictable pricing and clear deliverables * They want IP done correctly the first time * They prefer a systemized team over a single bottleneck Every engagement is aligned with long-term business goals, not just short-term filings. Common Projects * Trademark clearance and filing roadmaps * Provisional patent strategy and drafting * Office Action response strategy and execution * Freedom-to-operate opinions * IP portfolio reviews for startups and growing companies ~Ted Cummings