Erik Pelton, founder and lead attorney at Erik M. Pelton & Associates, PLLC (EMP&A), has dedicated his career to making intellectual property protection understandable, accessible, and affordable for businesses and entrepreneurs of all sizes and types. Erik got his start as a trademark examiner for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) before launching his own boutique trademark law practice, with the goal of making the process of protecting a company brand easy—whether for a solo practitioner or an international corporation—through the enduring ideals of great customer service, affordability, and clarity.