President

Prior to founding Esplin & Associates, Ben was a partner at two different AMLAW 100 firms. Over the course of his career, Ben has had exposure to patent litigation, patent portfolio sales, and patent licensing. However, over time he has focused his efforts on patent portfolio strategy and patent application preparation and prosecution. Ben values clear communication in any complex undertaking and building or enhancing a patent portfolio is certainly an example of this principle. As a result, Ben strives to communicate clearly with business leadership, in-house counsel, and inventors to make sure that all stakeholders in a patent application and/or portfolio are aligned.

Principal Attorney

Otto specializes in intellectual property law matters including preparation and prosecution of U.S. and foreign patent applications, strategic intellectual property planning and patent portfolio management for both established and start-up clients.

Areas of IP expertise include blockchain technology, artificial intelligence and machine learning, online communities, massive online gaming environments, data streaming, cloud-based services, encryption, user interfaces, medical technologies and equipment, image recognition and processing, computer graphics, virtual and augmented reality, electronic design automation and verification, processor architecture, display controllers, memory controllers, online video distribution, audio processing, wireless networking, integrated circuits, network security, virtual private networking, video game technology, cryptography, and floating point processors.

Specialties: ASIC design and verification professional (MSEE) with 10 years of experience in embedded processors, chip design and SOCs. As a research scientist and design engineer, Otto worked on CPU architecture, computer graphics and application processors, from spec to netlist. Experience includes memory sub-systems, display sub-systems, RTL design and verification, synthesis, and timing optimization and closure. He is the first-named inventor on six issued U.S. patents.

Principal Attorney

Dan Cho focuses his practice on patent prosecution, acquisition, and management in a variety of technical areas, including imaging technology, augmented reality, autonomous vehicles, computer hardware and software, consumer electronic devices, drilling technology, emergency systems, entertainment systems, graphical user interfaces, medical devices, networking devices, power devices, and semiconductor fabrication.

Principal Attorney, Patent and Trademark

Morgan has worked in the patent field for nearly 15 years. His experience allows him to perform exceptionally within all aspects of preparing and prosecuting patent applications. He enjoys working with clients to discuss their ideas, turning those ideas into robust patent applications, and advocating before the U.S. Patent Office to ultimately obtain issued U.S. Patents.

Morgan’s areas of technical focus include mechanical devices and software applications. Morgan's engineering background allows him understand mechanical devices of nearly all complexity and subject matter. Morgan has worked on a broad range of subject matter in software including, among others, online collaboration environments, social networks, augmented reality and virtual reality systems, video games, virtual worlds, information processing systems using artificial intelligence and/or distributed ledger technology, UI/UX, and control systems in various applications.

More recently, Morgan spearheads the Trademark practice of the firm. Typical work includes developing strategy and providing advice surrounding use of trademarks and filing of trademark applications, performing searches of the US trademark database, and preparing, filing, and prosecuting federal trademark applications. Following the ethos of the firm's Patent practice, Morgan's approach to counseling clients is that of a business partner, rather than solely a service provider. Our client's success is our success.

Education: B.S., M.S., Mechanical Engineering, UCSD

Admissions: State Bar of California; U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Patent Agent

Victoria’s practice includes patent drafting and patent prosecution with a technical focus in computer software, mechanical devices, video games, virtual worlds, virtual and augmented reality, blockchain technology, among others.

Previously, Victoria studied Computer Science at San Diego State University with coursework in computer programming, computer architecture, and mathematics. She joined the National Society of Collegiate Scholars in 2014.

Prior to joining Esplin & Associates, Victoria worked as an IP Technical Specialist at a Global 100 Firm.

Patent Agent

Mila is a graduate of UCSD with a degree in Political Science-Public Law and a minor in Computer Science Engineering. Mila’s field of study sparked her interest in the growth and development of technology and led her to pursue a career in patent prosecution. Mila’s practice focuses on computer software, artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and mechanical devices. Mila is currently a J.D. Candidate at the University of San Diego School of Law.

Director of Operations

Victoria serves as the Director of Operations and is a founding member of Esplin & Associates. Leveraging over 13 years of experience in intellectual property, legal operations, and project management at IP Boutiques and Global 100 firms, Victoria oversees firm operations, accounting, finance, human resources, recruitment, and assists with the Undergraduate Internship Program. Her focus on optimizing operations and creating a supportive environment ensures timely communication and efficient workflows.

Victoria holds professional certificates in both Paralegal Studies and Intellectual Property from UC San Diego and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Marine Science from the University of San Diego with minors in English and Environmental Studies.

Director of Client Success

Chelsea Pearsall is the Director of Client Success and a founding member of the firm. Her responsibilities include educating and managing our team of paraprofessionals and interns, supporting business development through marketing initiatives and performance analysis, and serving as Client Liaison, with an overall objective to provide clients the best experience at each stage of their lifecycle. Chelsea has over 15 years of experience in Intellectual Property from boutique IP firms to AMLAW 100 firms and several years at an in-house legal department. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from San Francisco State University as well as professional certificates in both Paralegal Studies and Project Management from UC San Diego.

Paralegal

Leah is a graduate of the USD School of Law Paralegal Program, where she was first introduced to the area of Intellectual Property. That interest led her to secure an internship position at Esplin & Associates leading to her position as Paralegal. She currently assists in the management of domestic and international patent and trademark prosecution, including document preparation, electronic filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, IDS management, docketing services, administrative functions. Leah holds a BA in Organizational Management from Point Loma Nazarene University. 

Paralegal

Lynn is a Paralegal specializing in trademarks and assisting in patent prosecution for Esplin & Associates. She holds a degree from Brandeis University, where her majors in English and Philosophy fostered her interest in law. This led to her completion of the USD School of Law Paralegal Program, during which she interned for the firm and was introduced to the inner workings of Intellectual Property. Eventually, she plans to attend law school and continue her career in IP law.

Paralegal

Kenny is a graduate of the USD School of Law Paralegal Program. It was there that he was exposed to the many fields of law that ultimately led him on the path to pursue a career in Intellectual Property, resulting in his internship with the firm. The field of Intellectual Property is vast and he hopes to gain valuable experience during his time here to grow and hone the skills that can be applied later on in his career.

IP Assistant

Amy graduated from the USD School of Law Paralegal Program. She began at Esplin & Associates as an intern. She became interested in law and intellectual property while earning a business degree from San Diego State University.

Intern

Alexis is entering her senior year at Northeastern University, majoring in Business Management and Political Science. Her studies have fueled a strong interest in the legal field, and she plans to attend law school after graduation. Alexis hopes to actively expand her understanding of Intellectual Property, linking it with her business and political science expertise. She aims to use this integrated knowledge to advance her future legal studies and practice.

Intern

Brave is an ambitious and dedicated high school graduate interning at Esplin and Associates. Brave is driven by a passion for law and intellectual property, with a desire to make a positive impact in the workspace. Esplin and Associates gives Brave invaluable firsthand experience that can be applied later in his career. 

Intern

Slade is a student at Mesa Community College and plans on attending Northern Arizona University in the fall. He is pursuing a degree in Psychology and aims to graduate with his MBA by 2028. Slade has been interested in law since high school which led to him applying for the internship at Esplin Legal. During his time here, he hopes to gain more knowledge about intellectual property and law. Along with gaining more knowledge about intellectual property, Slade hopes to improve his technological skills, using them throughout his endeavors.

Intern

Vinson is a graduate of Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, with a B.S. in Biology. He is currently a rising third-year J.D. candidate at Roger Williams University School of Law. With prior experience in criminal defense and environmental policy research, Vinson pursued an internship at Esplin & Associates to deepen his interest in law and science and to acquire essential skills for a future career in patent law. Alongside his legal studies, Vinson is professionally certified in personal fitness training by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).