Patent law firm moves to Manassas

A patent law firm with 35 employees has moved from Arlington to Manassas.

Registered Patent Attorney Richard C. Litman, with clients around the world, is now located at 8955 Center Street, in offices formerly occupied by the Department of Social Services.

The firm was founded 26 years ago by Litman, president and chief executive officer, who has seen it grow from only himself to a staff that has attorneys, patent agents, illustrators, paralegals, technical writers and patent searchers.

Litman Law, which has been in Manassas since July 7, conducts patent searches at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, prepares U.S. and international applications, and handles trademarks, copyrights and licensing for inventors, entrepreneurs and companies.

A resident of Clifton, Litman said he was getting tired of his nearly 1½-hour drive into Arlington and wanted to locate his firm closer to home.

“I had always liked coming into Manassas and decided if I could find a suitable location for my business, that would be my first choice,” he said.

Through Wright Realty he checked out the Center Street location, liked what he saw and made the choice to move. The office has 10,000 square feet and will allow for expansion.

Litman said he is hiring new employees and expects the company will be up to 60 workers within a year.

Litman, who finished college when he was 15 and has three law degrees, said he has found Manassas “to be a special place.”

“It’s a city where thing are happening,” he said. “It’s a place where you get to know friendly people quickly. It’s a place where you would not be afraid to walk the streets at 4 a.m. I’m glad I was able to make the move.”

Litman explained that patents protect products, compositions, machines and processes, and cover business methods and software.

“Patents can be licensed, sold or used to be the exclusive source. Names, logos and slogans are trademarks. Writings, art and music are protected by copyright,” he said.
He sold his building at 3717 Columbia Pike in Arlington before coming to Manassas.

“I’m glad I did. It was a good choice. I like the small town feeling of Manassas--something I didn’t have in Arlington. All of my employees are beginning to like it here,” the 53-year-old said.

And Manassas Mayor Harry “Hal’ Parrish II said he was “delighted” the firm had picked the city.

“Not only will they bring many new jobs to the city, they will impact the community by patronizing our businesses,” Parrish said.

Litman said he wants the firm to become an active part of the community and has already joined the Prince William Chamber of Commerce and is “trying out all the restaurants in the area.”

A native of Philadelphia, Litman and his wife, Cheryl, have been residents of Clifton for 20 years. They have four children, ages 20, 19, 17 and 16.

As a hobby, Richard Litman enjoys banking and hopes to bring a branch of Fairfax-based Freedom Bank to the Manassas area. He is a chairman of the bank.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703 369-6707.