Li-Hua Weng

Intellectual Property Attorney

Multilingual patent attorney Li-Hua Weng represents domestic and international clients in patent matters for all types of inventions, including hand tools, electric heaters, sensors, semi-conductor equipment, turbo-jet engine nacelles, computers, and more. A native Mandarin speaker and writer, she is fluent in English and proficient in Japanese.

Highly regarded for her international experience and ability to read original texts in Mandarin and Japanese, Li-Hua brings a deep understanding of both legal and cultural requirements for foreign patent matters. She partners with inventors to streamline the application process and helps them identify the main feature of their inventions, consider priorities, and secure broad—but not too broad—IP protections.

Cost-conscious clients especially appreciate Li-Hua’s approach to their inventions. Having read thousands of pages of patent applications over the years—and written hundreds of office action responses—Li-Hua brings astute insight to anticipating Examiner arguments. Her technical knowledge and writing skills, combined with an ability to explain mechanical concepts and designs in a very clear way, are appreciated by clients seeking to minimize objections and complete the patent process as quickly and cost-efficiently as possible.

“In serving clients, my goal is to find efficiencies and gain advantages for them,” explains Li-Hua. “In most office actions, multiple patents and hundreds of pages must be reviewed to compare features. This can be a time-consuming process, but I am trained to know where to find the critical information and give practical advice to overcome a rejection, even if that means adding new claims or features to advance the application.”

Industry Experience

Born and raised in Taiwan, Li-Hua received her graduate degree in mechanical engineering and worked there as a patent engineer before coming to the United States in 2001 to earn her law degree. In her role as a patent engineer for a Taiwanese company, she learned to navigate detailed instructions, overcome office objections, and position her company for successful outcomes, all skills which she brings to her practice today. Before joining Burris Law, she spent several years as a patent attorney in large U.S. IP boutique law firms.

Education
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan (1993)
  • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, (1995)
  • J.D., John Marshall Law School (2004)
Admissions
  • United States Patent and Trademark Office
  • State Bar of Illinois
  • State Bar of Michigan
Languages
  • English, Chinese (native)
  • Japanese (reading only)