Bradley Continues Growth of IP Practice with Addition of Michael P. Shepherd in D.C.

Bradley has added IP attorney Michael P. Shepherd as a partner in the Washington, D.C. office, strengthening the firm’s ability to serve clients navigating the evolving fields of AI and machine learning, while expanding the team’s patent prosecution and technology capabilities.

“Michael’s technical background uniquely positions him to provide strategic counsel regarding advanced technology matters, helping us address the growing demand for legal guidance as AI continues to impact our clients’ businesses and intellectual property assets,” said Bradley Washington, D.C., Office Managing Partner Michael S. Koplan. “Michael’s experience, combined with his strong business development instincts, makes him a valuable addition to our growing Intellectual Property practice. His arrival builds on the momentum we have established with key hires in Alabama and Georgia and further strengthens our ability to serve clients at the intersection of IP and advanced technology.”

Earlier this year, IP counsel Matthew J. Parker joined Bradley’s Huntsville office, enhancing the firm’s transactional IP capabilities in technology-intensive sectors. Bradley also added a large group of IP attorneys to its Atlanta office in 2025, reinforcing the team’s ability to serve middle-market technology businesses and emerging companies. Mr. Shepherd’s arrival continues this strategic growth, adding significant capabilities in software, AI, machine learning, and other computer-related technologies.

Before joining Bradley, Mr. Shepherd spent more than 16 years at Fish & Richardson P.C., one of the nation’s leading IP boutique firms, counseling clients on patent portfolio building, including initiating patent programs and obtaining patent protection for inventions. He has extensive experience obtaining patents in a variety of technically complex areas, including AI, machine learning, computer architecture and chip design, robotics, user interfaces, radar design, and cloud computing platforms and applications. Mr. Shepherd regularly advises startup and entrepreneurial companies on patent strategy and IP prosecution, complementing Bradley’s full-service platform.

Mr. Shepherd began his career as a software engineer working for two large U.S. defense and aerospace companies before pursuing a legal career focused on software and other technology matters. He earned his J.D. (cum laude) from the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law, his M.S. in computer science from Syracuse University, and his B.S. (cum laude) in computer science from the University of Notre Dame. He is an active member of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Bar Association and serves as chair of the Committee on Appeals to the PTAB.

Bradley’s Intellectual Property Practice Group boasts a strong national IP practice with a diverse client base that includes midsized businesses, multinational corporations and Fortune 500 companies, as well as startups and technology incubators. The firm offers a full range of IP services to successfully protect and defend the valuable IP rights of its clients. The firm’s IP IQ blog covers news and insights about patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, antitrust and technology laws impacting the business community.