THE LAW OFFICES OF
BEVER, HOFFMAN & HARMS, LLP

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MISSION (back to top)
The mission of Bever, Hoffman & Harms (The Firm) is to provide high quality, timely legal services.

LEGAL SPECIALTY: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) PROTECTION

- Patents (Preparation, Prosecution, counseling)

- Opinions (validity, infringement)

- Pre-litigation Counseling and Litigation Support

AREAS OF TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

- Digital & Analog Circuits	- Microprocessors, Memories, FPGA’s
- Semiconductor Fabrication	- Semiconductor Fabrication Equipment
- Networking	- Semiconductor Devices/Processing
- Computer Systems	- Software
- Optics	- Lithography

FIRM HISTORY (back to top)
The Firm was established by Patrick Bever and Eric Hoffman in October 1997. Carrie Reddick (paralegal) joined the firm in 1998 and Jeanette Harms joined the firm in 1999. The Firm has intentionally remained small to maintain the Firm’s commitment to excellence -- all patent applications are prepared and prosecuted solely by the partners.  In August 2001, a second office was opened in the rapidly growing Tri-Valley area, which is located about 25 miles North of San Jose.  In 2009 the main office moved from San Jose to Campbell, CA, and in 2015 the main and second offices were consolidated into the firm’s current location in Fremont, CA.

MEMBERS OF THE FIRM (back to top)

PATRICK T. BEVER
Admitted to bar, California (1990)
Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (1989)

Education:	San Jose State University (B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 1987)
	Santa Clara University School of Law (J.D., 1990)

Professional Experience: Pat, the managing partner of the Firm, has experience in drafting and prosecuting U.S. and foreign patent applications, preparing non-infringement and invalidity opinions, and providing litigation support.  Pat has experience in the following technology areas: computer architectures, flat screen displays, semiconductor memories, field programmable gate arrays and other programmable logic devices, communications systems and protocols, analog and digital circuits, semiconductor fabrication, semiconductor packaging, disk drives, electro-mechanical devices, image sensors, optical systems, fiber optic devices, laser diodes, ink jet printers, medical devices, software, silicon micro-machines, and materials science, among other areas.   Before becoming a patent attorney, Pat worked at General Electric’s Nuclear Power Division in San Jose, CA.

Associations:

Silicon Valley Intellectual Property Law Association (SVIPLA)

E. ERIC HOFFMAN
Admitted to bar, California (1992)
Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (1994)
Registered Professional Electrical Engineer, State of California (1989)

Education:	Michigan Technological University (B.S. Electrical Engineering, High Honors, 1986)
	Hastings College of the Law (J.D., 1992)

Professional Experience:  Eric, a partner of the Firm, has experience in drafting and prosecuting U.S. and foreign patent applications, preparing non-infringement and invalidity opinions, and providing litigation support.  Eric has experience in the following areas of technology: analog and digital circuits, computer architectures, semiconductor processing, semiconductor devices, Internet routers, lasers, control systems, hard disk drives, field programmable gate arrays, silicon micro-machines, digital signal processing, communication systems, caller ID, modems, fiber-to-the-curb, telephone switches, flat panel displays, CMOS image sensors, materials, software, memories, smart cards, computer peripherals, FIFOs, microscopes, three-phase filters and general mechanical devices.  Before becoming a patent attorney, Eric worked at Pacific Gas and Electric Company as an electrical engineer providing technical analyses of electrical transmission operating problems.

Associations:	American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
	Silicon Valley Intellectual Property Law Association (SVIPLA)
	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)

HONORARY MEMBERS OF THE FIRM

JEANETTE S. HARMS (deceased)
Admitted to bar, California (1990)
Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (1991)

Education:	University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign (B.S. General Engineering, 1984)
	University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign (J.D., 1990)

Professional Experience:  Jeanette was a partner of the Firm from 1999 until June 2014.  In addition to class and grace, and Jeanette brought to the firm experience in drafting and prosecuting U.S. and foreign patent applications, managing patent and trademark portfolios, designing and implementing IP training programs, developing licensing strategies, preparing non-infringement and invalidity opinions, and reviewing/negotiating non-disclosure agreements.  Jeanette’s legacy includes many issued patents in the following technology areas: electronic design automation (EDA), message networks, wireless networks, analog and digital circuits, field programmable gate arrays, complex programmable logic devices, memories, wafer scale integration, semiconductor packaging and processing, software, telephony, and optics.  Before joining the Firm, Jeanette worked in the engineering division at AT&T Communications, specializing in fiber optics.  Jeanette also worked in-house in the legal department of Xilinx, Inc. as their Director of Intellectual Property.  In remembrance of Jeanette the firm continues to carry her name.