Kenneth M. Fagin (Ken) is a U.S. patent attorney with over 30 years of experience. He graduated law school in 1992, and he was registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 1994. As a graduate of MIT with a degree in aerospace engineering, Ken obtains patents for clients around the world in a wide range of technologies. Example technologies include automotive- and aviation-related components; heavy-duty construction equipment; food manufacturing and processing equipment; electrical components; gaming machines; wastewater processing and purification; and medical and dental devices.
Ken believes firmly that patent prosecution is a matter of advocating for his clients’ intellectual property rights. Thus, he seeks to procure the broadest coverage possible while navigating the Patent and Trademark Office’s rules and procedures in as cost-conscious a manner as possible.
In addition to patent prosecution, Ken regularly provides clearance (right-to-use) advice and assesses whether his clients' intellectual property rights have been infringed or otherwise violated. Ken has also handed litigation matters in U.S. courts, and patent validity challenges at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (inter partes reviews and ex parte re-examinations). Ken is admitted to practice in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and Massachusetts, as well as in the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Samuel Burkholder (Sam) is a U.S. patent attorney and is of counsel to United IP Counselors. He has wide-ranging experience in various aspects of patent practice, including patent preparation and prosecution, opinions, client counseling, and litigation. Sam has worked with a diverse range of technical subject matter, including nanotechnology, preparation of nanosized materials, automobile emission control systems, catalysts, polymers, propellants, and coatings. He lectured on Patent-Office petitions practice for the Cushman Intellectual Property Seminar while at Cushman Darby & Cushman (the Intellectual Property Group of Pillsbury Madison & Sutro). He is admitted to practice law since1994, in Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, and he has been registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office since 1996. Before entering private practice, Sam worked at Johnson Matthey, the world’s largest supplier of automotive emission control catalysts, in various positions including development chemist, technical liaison to the Big Three automakers, and as associate general counsel. He oversaw development programs for emission control of alternate fuels and engines in Brazil and Australia.

Crystal Elkins joined United IP Counselors, LLC in November 2018 as a Patent Paralegal. She has more than twelve years of experience in patent prosecution, having previously worked as an IP Specialist for several large, well-respected patent firms prior to joining UIPC. Crystal holds a B.A. in Sociology from Bridgewater College, and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies from West Virginia University’s Extended Learning Program. She also has a background in Real Estate and Foreclosure matters.
Crystal currently serves as the firm’s Administrator, handling accounting and providing support for all law firm operations.

Naoko Nakamura serves as a paralegal and cultural liaison for United IP Counselors, LLC, and she has worked in the patent industry for many years.
With a bachelor’s degree in English (language and literature) from Sophia University in Tokyo and a fascination with technology, Naoko began her patent-oriented career in the optical technology-related equipment division of a major Japanese corporation. There, she translated patent specifications (including for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, medical equipment, and broadcasting equipment) as well as contracts, and she coordinated the flow of patent applications through the company.
Since leaving that company, Naoko has continued to translate patents and patent applications for a diverse range of clientele, including in the mechanical arts and other disciplines.
At UIPC, Naoko is often the first point of contact for many of our clients, and she greatly facilitates the Firm’s ability to respond to our clients’ needs at all times.