Solo inventor here. Filed a software/AI provisional in April 2026, so my non-provisional deadline is April 2027. I'm not asking for referrals (I know that's not allowed here). I'm looking for advice on how to actually run the search.
The problem I keep hitting: AI/software patent filing is active enough right now that a lot of attorneys I've looked at have either their own filings in adjacent areas or recent client work that creates Rule 1.7 conflicts. My first engagement attempt got cancelled at the conflict-check stage when one of these surfaced.
A few specific questions:
Beyond just searching Google Patents by inventor name, is there a better way to cross-reference USPTO-registered attorneys against their own filings?
In cold outreach, do you raise the conflict question before any tech disclosure, or after?
For solo or micro-entity inventors, what's actually worked: AIPLA directory, state bar IP referral services, or cold outreach to the USPTO roster?
Any experiences with patent agents instead of attorneys for non-provisional drafting?
Thanks.