Stevens & Lee

I hired Stevens & Lee for patent work as an individual inventor and ultimately found the value delivered to be disappointing relative to the cost. While the attorneys were polite, professional, and responsive, the overall engagement felt structurally oriented around billable hours rather than client outcomes or cost predictability.

What were described as estimates or ranges did not function as meaningful constraints. Fees accumulated quickly, with additional work justified after the fact rather than being clearly scoped and approved in advance. As a client, I had very limited ability to manage or anticipate total spend before invoices arrived.

For early-stage inventors or startups, this model presents real challenges. The process lacked the transparency, cost discipline, and expectation-setting necessary for clients who are funding work out of pocket and relying heavily on professional guidance to avoid unnecessary expense.

For new or early-stage inventors, it may be worth considering whether a registered patent agent — rather than a large full-service law firm — is a more appropriate and cost-effective option for initial filings. In my case, the firm’s cost structure did not align well with the practical value delivered.

Unless you have very deep pockets, I would suggest carefully evaluating alternative approaches before engaging a large firm for early-stage patent work.

Overall, while the attorneys themselves were courteous and capable, the experience did not feel like a strategic partnership so much as a passive meter running in the background. I expected greater cost clarity and client-side consideration from a firm of this reputation.