Nathan D. Ellefson

The clients who have been working with Nathan Ellefson the longest will tell you that he is much more than a talented and successful patent attorney—he is a true strategic asset that drives innovation and IP value by taking a big-picture approach to achieving big wins through everyday patent vigilance. Nathan applies a systematic yet holistic approach to patent prosecution, looking beyond individual products to the broader invention landscape. By emphasizing both patent quality and adaptive strategies that strengthen overall portfolio performance, he helps clients anticipate and proactively protect emerging trends within their product lines.

Nathan is known for his strategic mindset and practical approach to developing patent portfolios that align with business objectives. He partners closely with in-house counsel to help them succeed in their roles, whether by increasing filings, improving invention capture, or developing long-term portfolio strategies that deliver measurable value. Clients often cite his adaptability and forward-thinking mindset, noting that he integrates seamlessly with their preferred processes and communication styles.

With a deep technical background and a talent for connecting engineering insight with legal strategy, Nathan helps companies identify patentable aspects of their inventions that might otherwise be overlooked. He is skilled at uncovering relationships among applications and leveraging developments in one case to strengthen others, an approach that has driven significant portfolio value. For example, he has successfully used assertions made by the USPTO in one application to create strategic advantages across related filings.

Nathan’s interest in patent law stems from his fascination with innovation, its constant evolution, and the opportunity to engage with what’s new. He is known for providing creative, business-aligned solutions and for helping clients not only protect their technology but also exceed organizational goals for IP value and impact.

Nathan earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering with Honors from Iowa State University and his J.D., magna cum laude, from Mitchell Hamline School of Law (formerly William Mitchell College of Law). He is admitted to practice in Minnesota, Oregon, and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.