Karen Lenker is a patent attorney with broad technical and legal experience supporting the firm's multidisciplinary teams and their clients on patent procurement. Leveraging more than 15 years as a patent attorney, Karen dedicates her practice to writing patents that can be effectively enforced domestically and worldwide. Skilled in aligning patent portfolios with business strategies and objectives, Karen assists clients across various technology sectors, including software, electronics, semiconductors, telecommunications, and energy management, as well as more specialized fields such as irrigation, outdoor lighting, acoustics, defibrillators, and underwater navigation.
A trained electrical engineer and former patent agent, Karen quickly grasps complex inventions, making her an invaluable partner when discussing both the legal and technical aspects of patents. Her attentive approach ensures the full process—from preparing and filing patent applications to drafting letters involving competitor claims to supporting colleagues on patent, trade secret, and related litigation—meets the needs of examiners and clients alike.
Before becoming a lawyer, Karen worked as an electrical engineer at an aerospace and defense contractor, where she developed microprocessor-based systems.
Admitted to Practice
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California
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U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Education
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J.D., University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, 2010
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M.S., Electrical Engineering and Communication Theory, Northwestern University, 1979
- Emphasis in Digital Signal Processing, Matched Filtering, and Character Recognition
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B.S., Engineering Science, The Pennsylvania State University, 1978, High Distinction
Memberships & Affiliations
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- Orange County Bar Association
Background
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- Partner, Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP, 2010-2025