Vance is an intellectual property, patent, trademark, and venture attorney in Ulmer’s Cincinnati office and he serves as Co-Group Leader of the firm’s Startups & Emerging Growth Companies Practice Group. He is the author of “The Patent Game,” a book written specifically for inventors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders that want to improve their patent knowledge – or, as Vance refers to it, IP IQ – to leverage patents as a key driver of business value. Vance is also the host of “The Patent Game Podcast.” In his first series, “The Basics,” Vance breaks down the foundational elements of the patent process in bite-sized (and sometimes moderately entertaining) chunks. He covers patent application types, tricks, and tools, the anatomy of a patent, and other practical information you can apply directly to your business or innovation.

Vance brings a progressive and creative approach to the development of intellectual property and business strategy for emerging businesses and startup companies. Vance helps his clients, including many angel and venture-backed companies, develop comprehensive strategies in a broad range of technologies including software, medical devices, and mechanical and electrical innovations. Vance assists his clients with all aspects of patent drafting and prosecution, trademark registration and clearance, and copyright and trade secret protection. His experience includes providing clients with patentability, validity, and infringement opinions, and serving various intellectual property litigation and regulatory (FDA) needs.

Vance has worked in-house for a Fortune 500 company, has co-founded three startup companies, and is an active angel investor. Vance is a frequent keynote speaker and mentor for universities, startup accelerators, incubators, and technology groups. He is a past President of the Greater Cincinnati Venture Association, was appointed by the Mayor of Cincinnati to the Small Business Advisory Committee, and was recognized as one of Cincinnati’s “Top 40 under 40” by the Cincinnati Business Courier.