Our Team

Bill Hulsey, Patent Lawyer… Patent Attorney, Engineer—Nuclear Engineering / Space & Aerospace Tech Economist—Tech Cluster Economic & Start-Up  Development/Invention & IP Valuation … established HULSEY PC to apply a range of highly specialized patent, trademark skills and intellectual property experiences to a broad span of technical fields.

Overview

Mr. Hulsey began his career as nuclear engineering-trained US Navy submarine officer, and, after his active-duty military service, he continued his career by obtaining the experience and professional degrees, licenses and certifications to serve as a patent attorney in Texas and Tennessee, registered before US Patent & Trademark Office.

• Today, Mr. Hulsey responds to the Texas and Southeast U.S call for experienced entrepreneurs and professionals to support and refocus on emerging technologies in artificial intelligence, and deep technologies, including nuclear power (both fission and fusion) and nuclear power generation, especially including small modular commercial reactors as a central component of securing a strong economic future in America’s AI-Energy Convergence.
• Bill’s experience in AI and computing technologies began with his work as an intelligence and security specialist with the U.S. Army’s military-industrial complex in the Washington, DC area. Through the Army ERADCOM (Electronics Research & Development Command) VISTA (Very Intelligent Surveillance & Target Acquisition) program of emerging technologies, he focused on areas of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, advanced sensors, data fusion, which provided critical intelligence on foreign military systems and contributed to the development of advanced surveillance and targeting capabilities. The program demonstrated the Army’s early commitment to integrating advanced technology into surveillance and targeting, shaping modern battlefield intelligence systems. He has built on these experiences and understandings in his work as a patent lawyer.
• He has prosecuted well over 2,500 U.S. and foreign patents (especially in energy, aerospace, and e-commerce technologies), covering inventions and investments, collectively having a value of over $250 Billion [including patents protecting inventions supporting the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter military aircraft]. His firm has filed and received for its clients more than 1,000 trademarks for the America Cotton Belt-Delta region’s most aspiring and amazing inventors, entrepreneurs, and dreamers who are dedicated to making the world a better place.

• Bill’s entrepreneurial experience goes deep. In 1973, he was one of the original 389 employees serving the recently launched company: Federal Express, now FEDEX. This experience led him some years later to obtain a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of Virginia focusing on entrepreneurship and technology based economic development. He later served as a Fellow of the University of Texas’ IC² (Innovation Creativity & Capital) Institute from where he taught innovation and entrepreneurship concepts on a worldwide basis in support of regional economic development in numerous countries, as well as across Texas and the U.S.
• Through his legal work, as well as by teaching at the IC² Institute, Mr. Hulsey has provided hundreds of hours of lectures and education in intellectual property rights formation, protection, and commercialization in over 45 countries and continents.

• Travels have taken him from USS Jacksonville (SSN699) submarine test depth (hundreds of yards beneath the ocean’s surface) to the top of Mount Sinai, Egypt and near the top of Mount Rainier, Washington, through highways at the outskirts of Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest and in Australia’s Daintree Rainforest, and a recent 2024 Antarctica expedition tour.
• Prior to pursuing his legal career, Bill’s U.S. Navy submarine service also provided him with opportunities to visit and work in the Mediterranean Sea along Africa’s northern coast for nuclear submarine service aboard the USS Birmingham (SSN695) to observe and track Soviet attack submarines.
• His work as a patent attorney has included meetings at the U.S. Embassy and Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm, Sweden, as well as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Education

• J.D. in Law from Vanderbilt University, including Business Formation and Commercial Law, Patent and Trademark Law, and Entrepreneurial legal Issues. (Senior Managing Editor, Vanderbilt Law Review; Order of the Coif (Top 10% of Class), and one of two Class Officers for the 1987 graduating class [1984-1987].
• M.S.-Ph.D. Degree in Nuclear Engineering (in progress); Texas A&M University On-Line Degree Program (rated a #1 in the U.S.) (expected graduation 2028).
• M.S.-Nuclear Propulsion (equiv.) through U.S. Navy Nuclear Training at the A1W Nuclear Power Prototype at Idaho National Laboratories and U.S. Navy Submarine- Trained Lieutenant Commander in Nuclear Reactor Plant Operation and Ship Propulsion: specially selected to be part of the Pre-Commissioning and Sea Trials Crew of USS Jacksonville (SSN699), under Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, founder of the U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Force. Bill also served as an Engineering Department watchstander on the USS Birmingham (SSN695) to support that nuclear submarines deployment along the North African coast. His support of both ships demonstrate his connections to the Southern US states through his making significant operational contributions to the U.S.Nuclear Navy. [1977-1992].
• M.A. in Economics, including Econometrics and Mathematical Economic Analysis, as well as Tech-Based Entrepreneurial Economics and Regional Economic Analysis and Local Economy Development, from The University of Virginia. [1982-1988].
• Top-Secret-Cleared [now inactive] Electronics Engineer for The S. Department of The Army’s Electronics Research and Development Command (ERADCOM) designing Very Intelligent Surveillance and Target Acquisition Systems AND Physical Scientist in Foreign Science & Technology Center (FSTC) Advanced Sciences & Technologies Directorate for designing and testing military millimeter wave and microwave sensor systems. [1982-1986].
• B.S. (with Distinction) in Theoretical Mathematics and Computer Science from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. [1973-1977].
• Certified Economic Developer [CEcD] and Entrepreneur Development Professional [EDP] by the International Economic Development Council, Washington, D.C. based on 120 hours of classroom training by Graduate University of Oklahoma Economic Institute [2016-2024].
• Fellow of UT Austin’s Innovation Creativity & Capital (IC2) Institute, the entity credited with much of Austin’s emergence as an “Idea City” leading entrepreneurial and technological economic development.

Practice Areas

Bill is admitted to practice before the following tribunals:

• Registered to Practice for the United States Patent & Trademark Office;
• The United States Supreme Court;
• The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit;
• The United States Federal District Court for the Northern & Western Districts of Texas;
• Texas Supreme Court and all Texas Courts; and
• Tennessee Supreme Court and all Tennessee

Professional Recognitions

Mr. Hulsey has been elected a Fellow, and is a Life Fellow, of the Texas Bar Foundation, an honor extended to less than one-third of one percent of Texas attorneys each year. Fellowship requires a professional nomination and election by peers, followed by a financial commitment to support the Foundation’s mission. Upon completing this commitment, Fellows are recognized as Life Fellows, signifying a permanent status of support for the Foundation’s work in advancing the rule of law and access to justice in Texas.

The Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory has for 10+ years recognized Bill as

• “AV-Preeminent “
• “AV-Preeminent Judicial Edition” (the highest possible rating)
• “Top Rated Texas Attorney for Ethics and Legal Ability”
• “Platinum Client Distinction Award” based on multiple evaluations of client service and relationships; and
• “National Bar Registry of Preeminent Attorneys”

U.S. News & World Report lists HULSEY PC as one of the “Best Law Firms in America” in Texas, Tennessee, and U.S. Patent & Trademark Office

Best Lawyers Magazine’s lists Bill as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” Listings for Austin, TX; Memphis, TN; Bentonville, AR; Tulsa, OK; Birmingham, AL; Jackson, MS; New Orleans & Shreveport, LA

The American Registry of Lawyers and Law Firms listings for Bill’s law practice include the following recognitions:

• Top 1% Most Honored Professionals in America;
• Top 1% Most Honored Lawyers in America;

Justia Legal Directory gives Bill a Lawyer Rating 10-of-10 Superb for Legal Ethics and Ability.

Number 1 of the Top “Three Best Rated” Patent Lawyers in Austin, Texas, Memphis, Tennessee, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Birmingham, Alabama from “Three Best Rated” publications

Better Business Bureau’s A+ Rating for HULSEY PC in Austin TX, Shreveport, LA, Jackson MS, Birmingham AL, Memphis TN, Bentonville, AR, and Tulsa, OK.

Winner of the 2021 International Advisory Experts Award – Intellectual Property Award for Texas.

Related Certifications

Today, Bill is pursuing non-lawyer certifications as a

• Certified Economic Developer through the International Economic Development Council (certified 2020);
• Certified Entrepreneurial Development Professional (certified 2023);
• Certified Business Economist through the National Association of Business Economists (certified 2020);
• Chartered Economist and Financial Manager by Institute of Certified Chartered Economists (chartered 2023);
• Certified Licensing Professional through the Licensing Executive Society (in progress); and
• Professional Engineering License (examination approved) in Nuclear Engineering through the Texas Department of Professional and Occupational Registration.

He sees these non-legal professional skills, endorsements, and connections as a proactive service to our firm’s clients.

Community Enrichment

Within his local and regional community,

• Bill is a performance Tenor and Member of the Grammy-Award winning chorus ensemble of the Conspirare Symphonic Chorus and has sung over 20 major choral performances with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, including international performances and as part of the choral group for Austin’s 2015 Andrea Bocelli Concert.
• More recently he traveled with Waco’s St. Albans Episcopal Church semi-professional choir to England to sing in St. Albans, Canterbury, and visit London, Oxford, Cambridge on a 2024 Anglican Pilgrimage.
• In the summer of 2025, Bill joined the Conspirare Symphonic Chorus for its Berlin Choral Festival performances in Berlin, Germany.
• Volunteer mentor and Intellectual Property (patents and trademarks) sponsor for the Baylor Student Entrepreneur New Venture Competition at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business for the past 13 years.
• Helping form and provide a sponsorship lead role for the Rhodes College Entrepreneurship Competition since 2012, where he encourages his alma mater to promote and educate in the principles and practices of technology-led and entrepreneurship-led economic development.
• Moreover, he is devoted to the concept of “Service Above Self” and has served as President of the Austin Westlake Rotary Chapter, as that group fulfills the mission of Rotary International. Now, Board Member, Waco Rotary Chapter.
• Bill has served two terms as a Board Member of the Waco Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.

Bill devotes his practice to serving entrepreneurs and inventors in the region of his practice to promote regional economic development through the formation of successful entrepreneurial and small business efforts. Over the years, Bill has achieved the following:

Bill Hulsey’s patent and trademark law practice …

• twice has been formally received by the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Commission’s Export Services Award for providing excellent patent, trademark, and copyright services to foreign companies seeking intellectual property assistance in the U.S.
• is Certified as a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB).
• has been Approved by the Texas Attorney General to represent the University of Texas System and other Texas state institutions of higher learning, such as Texas A&M University and Texas State University.

Presentations & Publications (Mr. Hulsey has made over 50 professional and academic presentations to various stakeholder groups over the past 20 years, including the following sampling):

• ACCELERATING REACTOR DESIGN STANDARDIZATION AND DEPLOYMENT READINESS (Moderator); Small Modular Reactors and Advanced Reactors Conference, Reuters Events (Nashville, TN; May 2025)
• POWERING THE FUTURE: TEXAS ENERGY SUMMIT-Innovation And Opportunity; in collaboration with Texas Economic Development Corporation; Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office–Office of the Governor (Austin, TX; April 2025)
• PATENT REFORM FIVE YEARS ON: A REVIEW OF THE AMERICA INVENTS ACT (Organizer and Panel Member); in collaboration with the USPTO Texas Regional Office and the Austin Chamber of Commerce. (September 2016)
• IP & ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Essential Elements in Starting and Growing a Successful New Venture; McCoy Graduate School of Business, Texas State University (an Emerging Research University), (March 2013).
• $1B TO APPLE FOR SAMSUNG PATENT INFRINGEMENT—PRACTICAL LESSONS FOR EMERGING GROWTH TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES; IC2 Institute of the University of Texas (September 2012).
• A NEW WORLD OF PATENT OPTIONS FOR UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER UNDER THE AIA; Joint American IP Law Association-Association of University Technology Managers Conference; (Texas A&M University; September 2012).
• INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURS; University of Texas Global Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; July 2012).
• INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURS; University of Texas Global Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; July 2012).
• THE JOBS ACT & THE LEAHY-SMITH AMERICA INVENTS ACT OF 2011; IC2 Institute of The University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX; May 2012).
• TRADEMARK WAR STORIES FROM THE FRONT LINES: HOW FAILING TO FILE FOR FEDERAL TRADEMARK PROTECTION CAN BE PAINFULLY COSTLY; TechRanch Austin Entrepreneurs Seminar (Austin, TX; February 2012).
• IP & RELATED LEGAL ISSUES IN EXPORTING PRODUCTS & SERVICES TO LATIN AMERICA; Moble LatAm Conference on Latin America (Miami, FL; February 2012 & Austin, TX; September 2012).
• THE LEAHY-SMITH AMERICA INVENTS ACT OF 2011 & WHAT IT MEANS FOR START-UP COMPANIES; IC2 Institute of The University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX; November 2011).
• THE USPTO EXPLAINS THE LEAHY-SMITH AMERICA INVENTS ACT OF 2011 TO SAN ANTONIO’S ENTREPRENEURS; (Introductory remarks for Mr. John Calvert, Administrator-USPTO Inventor Assistance Program (San Antonio, TX; October 2011).
• INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION WORLDWIDE FOR LATIN AMERICAN COMPANIES; 13th International Conference on Technology Policy & Innovation (Bogota, Colombia; September 2011).
• A TEXAS TWO-STEP SUMMER SALUTE TO LATIN AMERICA: INNOVATION, CREATIVITY & IP IN WORKING WITH LATIN AMERICAN COMPANIES; Global Classroom, IC2 Institute of the University of Texas (Austin, TX; June 2011).
• WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DAY 2011: WHY AUSTIN, TEXAS IS AMERICA’S MOST INNOVATIVE CITY; IC2 Institute of the University of Texas (Austin, TX; April 2011).
• STANFORD UNIVERSITY v. ROCHE PHARMACEUTICALS ET AL.; University of Rochester Health Sciences Center (Rochester, NY; April 2011).
• SXSW SPECIAL ENTREPRENEURS PROGRAM: DIRECTOR OF THE U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE SPEAKS PERSONALLY WITH SMALL BUSINESSES AND START-UPS (Introductory Remarks); IC2 Institute of the University of Texas (Austin, TX; March 2011).resentations & Publications

Donna Hulsey serves the HULSEY PC client base through friendly and highly skilled abilities to initiate discussions with new clients and continue as a critical player in maintaining the Firm’s mutually beneficial client relationships.

Sandra Blackmon is a Senior Intellectual Property Paralegal with over 40 years of experience in U.S. and international intellectual property, patent administration and patent portfolio management. Sandra has extensive knowledge and practical experience in all aspects of intellectual property with her primary expertise focused on domestic and international patent prosecution. Her strong understanding of patent law allows her to successively support attorneys and clients with research, patent prosecution rules/regulations, procedures, as well as formal requirements and submissions.

Trademark Attorney

Adrian Resendez prides himself in giving the utmost attention to his clients while communicating and counseling them effectively in their areas of need. Mr. Resendez will passionately represent his clients and prides himself on continuously learning and gaining experience that will make him a more effective attorney.

Mr. Resendez supports HULSEY PC in an Of Counsel capacity and is the founder of The Resendez Law Firm, PLLC, which he began after receiving his law license from The Supreme Court of Texas in 2015. Mr. Resendez has worked for the Texas House of Representatives, several litigation firms, and technology consulting companies. Mr. Resendez prides himself in keeping up with the latest technological advancements, current events, and legislation.

Background

Mr. Resendez grew up in Houston, Texas and lived in Villahermosa, Mexico, and Maracaibo, Venezuela where he learned to speak, read, and write Spanish. He attended the University of Texas at Austin on scholarship and graduated in two and a half years with a double major degree. He then attended Texas A&M School of Law focusing on intellectual property, international business, and immigration.

Professional Affiliations

• Board member for the Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas
• Committee member for the Silicon Labs’ Austin Sunshine Run through the Young Men’s Business League (YMBL)
• Member of the Austin Bar Association, Austin Bar Solo/Small Firm
• American Bar Association Intellectual Property division
• American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA)
• Hispanic Bar Association of Austin
• Austin Young Lawyer’s Association (AYLA)
• Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts (TALA)
• Austin Young Chamber (AYC)
• Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC)

Volunteering and Hobbies

Mr. Resendez enjoys volunteering and has done so for both legal and other opportunities. These include Texas Veterans Legal Assistance Project, Worker’s Defense Project, and Phi Chi Theta’s Mentor program. His hobbies include following his favorite sports teams, hanging out with his Shiba Inu, Tex, and traveling the world.

Education

• Texas A&M University School of Law, JD
• University of Texas at Austin, BA Government/Spanish
• Health Information Technology Certification from the University of Texas at Austin
• Hispanic National Merit Recipient, Beta Theta Pi alumni, Phi Chi Theta alumni, founder of Texas Rock Climbing
• Study Abroad Semesters in Santander, Cantabria, Spain (Undergraduate) and Madrid, Spain (Law School)