From Engineer to Patent Attorney: Shannon Warren’s Story
Shannon Warren is not the kind of attorney who learned about technology from a textbook. Before he ever set foot in a law school classroom, he was working as a computer engineer — writing code, designing systems, and building the kind of technical foundation that most patent attorneys simply do not have. That engineering experience is the reason he went into patent law, and it remains the single biggest advantage he brings to every client.
Today, Shannon operates the Law Office of Shannon Warren, PLLC, with offices in Houston and Amarillo, Texas. He has been a patent attorney since 2009, building on an engineering career that started in 2002. He is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO Registration No. 64325) and is a member of the State Bar of Texas.
Education and Technical Roots
Shannon earned his BS in Computer Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2002. Computer engineering sits at the intersection of electrical engineering and computer science, and that cross-disciplinary training gave Shannon a broad technical vocabulary — one that extends well beyond software into hardware design, signal processing, control systems, and embedded computing.
After working as an engineer, Shannon earned his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law and began practicing patent law in 2009. The transition was deliberate. Shannon recognized that the inventors he worked alongside needed a particular kind of advocate — someone who could understand what they had built at a technical level and then translate that understanding into the precise legal language required to secure patent protection.
Why Patent Prosecution
Patent law has many branches — litigation, licensing, portfolio management, opinion work — but Shannon chose to focus on patent prosecution: the process of actually getting a patent issued. This means working with the inventor to understand the technology, drafting the specification and claims, filing the application, and responding to the USPTO examiner’s objections until the patent is allowed.
Shannon chose prosecution because it is where his engineering background delivers the most value. Drafting a strong patent application requires the attorney to truly understand the invention — not at a surface level, but at the level of detail where you can articulate exactly what is novel and why it matters.
Industries and Client Types
Shannon’s practice spans seven core practice areas — Computer Science & Software, Oil & Gas, Mechanical Engineering, Agriculture, Medical Devices & Surgical Instrumentation, Energy & Hydrogen Technology, and Robotics & Automation — serving clients across twenty-five industries.
His clients include independent inventors pursuing a first patent, entrepreneurs building a startup, small businesses protecting a competitive advantage, and established companies expanding their portfolios. The common thread is that they need a patent attorney who can actually understand their technology. Browse the Innovation Showcase to see the range of inventions Shannon has helped protect.
Professional Leadership
Shannon has served as Past Chair of the Computer and Technology Section and Past President of the Houston Founder Lions Club — roles that reflect the same initiative and commitment to community he brings to his client work.
Bar Admissions and Registration
- State Bar of Texas — Licensed attorney
- United States Patent and Trademark Office — Registered patent attorney, Registration No. 64325
Offices in Houston and Amarillo
Houston Office — 825 Town & Country, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77024 — (713) 322-3759
Amarillo Office — 600 S. Tyler, STE 2100, Amarillo, TX 79101 — (806) 553-0101
Working with Shannon
The process begins with a consultation. Shannon listens to the inventor describe the technology, asks targeted technical questions, and discusses whether patent protection is appropriate. From there, he handles the drafting, filing, and prosecution — keeping the client informed at every step.
Contact Shannon Warren to schedule a consultation.