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Home - Merchant & Gould P.C.

Bill is a seasoned intellectual property attorney in Washington, D.C., focusing on software and hardware-based systems. Since 1999, he has fostered a strong relationship with each of his clients to understand their products, aspirations, and concerns to best facilitate achieving their goals. Bill seamlessly applies his extensive knowledge of intellectual property law and his background in computer-implemented processes and hardware to guide his clients through the patent application and utilization processes.

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Serving the Designer, Developer and Provider

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Bill works with hardware designers, software developers and network providers who must navigate the patent application and protection processes to safeguard their inventive property. With years of diverse experience working directly with the evolving field of patent-eligible subject matter, Bill understands patent eligibility and patent challenges, no matter the forum/how it is challenged.

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Working with examiners, he overcomes patent rejections by bringing cases to a shortened end. If progress is not being made on a case, he presses on, working with the PTAB directly to overcome any and all rejections and objections. He provides dedicated time to discuss the nature of your business, the protection you require and the guidance you need to monetize your intellectual property.

Bill believes in the importance of timely and clear communication. Your concerns, fears and frustrations can be heightened due to the nature of this business. Bill is responsive and genuine, responding to emails and phone calls in a timely manner and operating on a first-name basis.

As your counselor, he focuses on helping you protect your technology, business and dreams. Keeping you educated, he gives you the power to make informed decisions about how to best move forward to meet your business objectives.

First-Hand Experience With the Patent Process

Prior to becoming an attorney, Bill was intimately involved in the management of a national computer data center, operating in a 24/7 environment. Later, graduating from the University of Iowa with his J.D., Bill soon found himself moving into the intellectual property field by working as a patent examiner in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. During a time of skepticism over software and computer-based processes, he spent time reviewing U.S. patent applications directed to these fields as a member of the first art unit dedicated to these processes.

From Bill’s first-hand experience, he possesses an in-depth understanding of the patent process and a positive relationship with patent examiners in the field. As a client, you gain first-hand field experience to further your patent applications and protect your inventions.

University of Iowa Law School, J.D.

Iowa State University

Bill Hughet, Intellectual Property Attorney

Washington, D.C. Area

Other Attorneys Recognized for Pro Bono Hours and CLC Distinction



Merchant &amp; Gould’s Pro Bono Committee announced the firm’s 2021 Pro Bono Awards to attorneys who have dedicated their time to helping their communities through pro bono legal services and their deep commitment.&nbsp;



A special congratulations goes to Sheila Niaz (Minneapolis) who performed more than 300 hours of pro bono legal work this year. &nbsp;Sheila’s pro bono work included preparing several patent applications in connection with LegalCORPS and assisting on the appeal of a criminal conviction. &nbsp;She is the sole recipient of Merchant &amp; Gould’s 2021 Pro Bono Award.



In addition, we want to recognize Rachel Hughey (Minneapolis) who has since been appointed as a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District; Bill Hughet (D.C.); Mike Erbele (Minneapolis); Joe Gess (D.C.); Rachel Scobie (Minneapolis); and Ben Tramm (Minneapolis) for dedicating more than 40 hours of pro bono work this year.



We also want to applaud our Minneapolis team of attorneys who received Children’s Law Center (CLC) of Minnesota’s “Distinguished Service Award” this year: &nbsp; Karen Beckman, Eric Chad, Julie Daulton, Lindsay Hartman, Rachel Hughey, Bradley Kuxhausen, Anneliese Mayer, Elisabeth “Bette” Muirhead, Ryan Smith and Rachel Zimmerman Scobie, Tracey Skjeveland and Tony Zeuli (CLC board member). &nbsp;Merchant &amp; Gould was recognized for its “dedication and commitment to representing children and youth in foster care,” as well as the firm’s “immense impact on Minnesota children in need.”



Congratulations to Sheila and all the attorneys who continue to help make our communities even better!

Merchant & Gould Congratulates Sheila Niaz as the Firm’s Pro Bono Award Winner

Merchant &amp; Gould’s Pro Bono Committee announced the firm’s 2022 Pro Bono Awards to attorneys who have dedicated their time to helping their communities through pro bono legal services and their deep commitment.



A special congratulations goes to Bill Hughet (D.C.) who performed a total of 97 pro bono hours in 2022, spread out over multiple clients.&nbsp;He is the recipient of Merchant &amp; Gould’s 2022 Pro Bono Award.



In addition, Merchant &amp; Gould recognizes a few other people who went above and beyond in pro bono this year. Tom Johnson (Minneapolis) and Michael Erbele (Minneapolis) both recorded over 80 pro bono hours in 2022; and several other professionals recorded more than 40 pro bono hours, including Joe Gess (D.C.), Samuel Scholz (Minneapolis), Peter Gergely (New York), Rob Lyksett (Minneapolis), and Rachel Scobie (Minneapolis). In total, M&amp;G professionals recorded more than 1,100 pro bono hours last year, making an immense impact in several states around the country.



Congratulations to Bill and all the attorneys who continue to make our communities even better by providing pro bono legal services!

William N. Hughet

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