We are thrilled to announce the 100th Anniversary of McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC, a true milestone for our firm. The Firm started in July 1924 when Talbert Dick began his patent law practice at the Hippee Building (now known as the Surety Hotel) in downtown Des Moines. After his service as a World War I pilot, he chose to live and practice law in Des Moines. This patent law practice grew because of Dick’s ceaseless dedication to clients, and superior intellectual property counsel. Today, MVS continues this dedication to serving at the intersection of science and law as an internationally-recognized intellectual property law firm advising clients in 160 countries. Our clients are involved in a large range of technologies and industries, from simple to complex, and include individuals, family and small companies, venture-capital backed startups, Fortune 500 corporations, and major global research universities utilizing sophisticated technology transfer offices.
During our century of protecting inventors’ rights, our attorneys have filed and defended hundreds of patents that have improved lives across the globe. Our service to innovation has persisted through World Wars, the Great Depression, the tearing down of the Berlin Wall, 9/11 attacks, the pandemic, and 17 presidents. Groundbreaking innovations have been made during this century, such as the invention of television, computers, the internet, electronic circuits, penicillin, vaccines, gene editing, space travel, and so much more. As we celebrate 100 years of service, we continue to represent our clients and their groundbreaking discoveries. Learn more about how an intellectual property attorney in IA can help you by giving us a call.
MVS is proud to be a part of the worldwide intellectual property law community while remaining rooted in the city of Des Moines. We look forward to serving our clients for the next 100 years and beyond. Contact us today to speak with an intellectual property attorney in IA. Stay connected to MVS for updates throughout 2024 as we continue our 100th year celebration. Follow us on LinkedIn at: https://bit.ly/3S0vc3y
Our team at McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC brings deep intellectual property law expertise to a wide spectrum of industries, offering tailored patent, trademark, trade secret, licensing, copyright, and litigation services that align with each sector’s technical realities and business objectives. Whether your organization is in advanced manufacturing, agritech, animal health, chemistry and material sciences (including nanotechnology), construction and infrastructure, consumer products and technology, copyright/media/entertainment/branding, financial technology, fluid mechanics and thermal physics, food & beverage technologies, lighting, medical devices, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, plant breeding and plant-related technologies, or academic research and technology transfer, our team combines scientific literacy with legal skill to translate innovation into enforceable rights and commercial advantage.
For hardware- and device-focused clients, our intellectual property attorney in IA develops robust mechanical, electrical, and design patent strategies and coordinate international prosecution to protect inventions across key markets; for life sciences and chemical innovators we craft claims and prosecution paths sensitive to regulatory landscapes and downstream commercialization; for software, fintech, and business-method clients we balance patenting opportunities with copyright, trade-secret, and transactional protections; and for branding, media, and consumer companies we proactively manage trademark portfolios, clearance, enforcement, and licensing to preserve market identity.
Beyond filing and prosecution, we advise on freedom-to-operate analysis, strategic portfolio management, licensing negotiations, technology-transfer agreements, and dispute resolution—so clients retain optionality whether the goal is monetization, collaboration, or enforcement. We represent a diverse client base ranging from individual inventors and venture-backed startups to large corporations and major research universities with sophisticated technology-transfer offices, supporting matter execution that considers commercial timelines, investor expectations, and cross-border enforcement realities.
By pairing attorneys and patent agents who hold STEM degrees with a practice oriented to both boutique attention and global reach, our team delivers IP counseling that is technically informed, business-aware, and tailored to the unique regulatory and market risks each industry faces. Our intellectual property attorney in IA helps innovators convert ideas into protected, strategically managed assets that drive growth and reduce legal exposure.
Our robust suite of intellectual property services spans all stages of protection, enforcement, and commercialization for innovators. We help clients secure their inventions with patent services in multiple specialized fields including biotechnology patents, chemical patents, design patents, electrical patents, mechanical patents, and software and business methods patents. Each practice is handled by attorneys and agents with domain expertise so that claim drafting, prosecution strategy, and examination responses are technically precise and aligned with the patentability norms of each art. Beyond patenting, our firm delivers comprehensive support in trademarks, helping businesses protect their identity, branding, and marks through selection, clearance, registration, and downstream enforcement. Our trade secrets practice provides guidance and defensive strategies to safeguard proprietary know-how and confidential information through contracts, policies, and litigation if breaches occur.
On the regulatory side, we represent clients in navigating regulatory law issues—from FDA, USDA, or other agency matters—making sure that compliance, safety, labeling, and approvals are addressed as part of the innovation lifecycle. In an increasingly interconnected world, our international practice helps clients manage patent, trademark, and enforcement work across borders—handling filings, oppositions, patent families, and global enforcement to protect rights in jurisdictions worldwide. Whether licensing technology, drafting agreements, or structuring cross-border collaborations, our licensing practice supports monetization and strategic partnerships, building value and minimizing risk. When disputes arise, our litigation group brings technical sophistication to courtrooms and alternative dispute-resolution settings alike, handling patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, and contract conflicts with deep scientific, technical, and legal insight.
Emerging areas like data privacy and cybersecurity have become critical to intellectual property strategy, and we counsel clients on privacy law compliance, cybersecurity safeguarding of IP assets, breach response, and regulation-driven obligations. Our copyright and media law practice addresses rights to expressive works such as art, literature, software, media, and branding content, handling registration, licenses, infringement claims, and protection of creative output. Across all practices, our intellectual property attorney in IA takes a client-centered approach—matching legal strategy to commercial goals, technology maturity, markets, and risk tolerance so that each client receives service that is not just technically strong, but useful, efficient, and aligned with their objectives.
Our team at McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC is committed to helping innovators, entrepreneurs, and organizations protect and advance their intellectual property. Whether you need guidance on patents, trademarks, copyrights, licensing, trade secrets, or complex IP litigation, our experienced team is ready to provide the strategic support and legal insight you need. Every client and every innovation is unique, which is why we take the time to understand your goals and tailor solutions that align with your business objectives and industry challenges.
Our intellectual property attorney in IA invites you to reach out to discuss your ideas, inventions, or legal concerns with one of our knowledgeable attorneys. From startups seeking their first patent to established companies managing global portfolios, we deliver comprehensive service with a personal touch and a focus on long-term success. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or to learn more about how our team can help safeguard your innovations, manage your IP assets, and maximize your competitive advantage.
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