Profile
Benjamin “Ben” Hauptman, founder of Hauptman Ham, passed away on December 12, 2025. Ben’s vision, leadership, and commitment to intellectual property excellence shaped the firm from its inception and continue to guide its work today. This page is preserved in recognition of his lasting contributions and legacy.
Mr. Hauptman was a Senior Partner of Hauptman Ham LLP, where he led the firm from its founding in 1996. A registered patent attorney with more than 45 years of experience, his practice encompassed all aspects of patent and trademark law, including the preparation and prosecution of patent applications in complex mechanical and electrical arts, IP portfolio development, licensing, enforcement, and infringement matters.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1975 and received his Juris Doctor from the Franklin Pierce Law Center in 1980. His engineering background and legal expertise enabled him to provide strategic counsel to clients across a wide range of industries and technologies.
Mr. Hauptman had particular experience in:
- Semiconductor and display technologies
- Complex mechanical and instrumentation systems
- Laser machining and optical systems
- Automotive and electromechanical technologies
He worked closely with international clients and foreign associates to coordinate worldwide patent protection and strategy. A recognized leader in global IP education, Mr. Hauptman pioneered training programs for patent professionals from Japan, Korea, China, and Vietnam, many of whom trained at the firm.
In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Hauptman served as a professor of law at the National Law School of India University in Bangalore, India, and as an adjunct professor at Franklin Pierce Law Center from 1994 to 2013. He also lectured at the Max Planck Institute in Munich, Germany.
Highlights
- Founding Partner of Hauptman Ham LLP
- More than 45 years of experience in patent and trademark law
- Former Patent Examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- International leader in IP education and cross-border training
- Served as a professor and lecturer in India, Germany, and the United States
Education
- Franklin Pierce Law Center – Juris Doctor (1980)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology – B.S. in Engineering (1975)
Personal
- Mr. Hauptman was a licensed private pilot with an instrument rating and logged more than 800 flight hours in single-engine aircraft.
Additional
-
Bar Admissions:
- Commonwealth of Virginia
- District of Columbia
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
-
Professional Associations:
- Virginia State Bar (Intellectual Property Law Section)
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
- Patent and Trademark and Copyright Research Foundation
- International Association for the Protection of Industrial Property
-
Publications & Presentations:
- Mr. Hauptman was the author of three books on U.S. patent application drafting and prosecution practice, published in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. He was also an experienced licensing negotiator and a frequent speaker on international patent law.