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YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR IDEAS. SO ARE WE
CROWLEYLAWLLC.COM
JULY 2026
908-460-5529
The Path to Patented Success Conflict and Creation
Philip Crowley’s debut book, “ AVOID STARTUP FAILURE!: Learn the Top Ten Causes of Failure for Technology Startups and How to Turn Them to Your Advantage ,” reveals the insider secrets and strategic tools that help many startups avoid common missteps and promote long-term success. Scan the QR code to order your copy on Amazon today!
Work always goes more smoothly when you truly love what you do, which is why I’ve always loved my chosen profession. Running a law office devoted to the life sciences and technology fields may not seem terribly exciting to someone unfamiliar with the work we do, but I’m rarely without a moment of true wonder. Every day, I encounter and work with brilliant people who strive to change the world for the better. Whether it’s developing life-saving medications or creating the latest in consumer-focused AI technologies, my clients and colleagues never cease to amaze me with their ingenuity and creativity.
greatest goals … and something worth exploring this month. The first U.S. patent was issued on July 31, 1790, meaning that inventors’ ambitions have been documented, protected and celebrated for centuries . If the Fourth of July represents our foundations of freedom, then July 31 is cause for celebrating how much that liberty has enabled inventive minds to thrive. With that in mind, we recently conducted a social media survey of our clients, colleagues and supporters to determine which patents they consider the most critical in American history. While we received a variety of responses, two patents in particular stood out: the light bulb and the transistor. When I reviewed the final results, all I could do was give them a knowing nod. After all, we couldn’t imagine how drastically different our lives would be without these two patented items. Items ranging from today’s smartphones to the pocket calculators of yesteryear wouldn’t have existed without the initial invention of the transistor, while light bulbs help make modern life possible. Those facts are indeed impressive, but they pale in comparison to the journeys of trial, error, failure and ultimate success that the individuals responsible for them experienced. Although we rightfully remember him as one of history’s greatest
Of course, receiving a patent for their creations is among an entrepreneur’s
inventors, Thomas Edison could also be considered an utter failure by many people’s standards. As discussed in our February 2026 edition, he lost millions in a failed iron ore mine in northern New Jersey. A quick Google search of Edison’s life and work reveals multiple missteps, false starts and total flops. Had he thrown up his hands in defeat whenever things got tough, his Continued on Page 3 ...
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Richard Gearhart’s Commitment to Human Health Patents, Purpose and Progress
There’s more than one way to change the world.
As the founding partner of Gearhart Law in Summit, Richard Gearhart, Esq., utilizes his decades’ worth of life sciences legal expertise (including a stint leading the U.S. Patent and Trademark group for Novartis Pharmaceuticals) to advise pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, diagnostics and health-technology companies on establishing patents, trademarks, licensing and intellectual property-driven commercialization strategies. What do these formal words mean to everyday patients in the U.S. and beyond? Simply put, Richard is there for startups and other entities responsible for prolonging or even saving their lives. “I was always passionate about trying to improve health, so I thought assisting in the preparation of medicines and medical devices was something that was really beneficial,” Richard says of his decision to launch Gearhart Law 20 years ago last month. “The pharmaceutical industry especially considers intellectual property and getting patents to protect medicines absolutely crucial to its business model.”
starting his practice, with their initial face-to-face meeting setting the foundation for a referral relationship that exists to this day.
“We met for lunch, and he was especially supportive and very knowledgeable,” Richard recalls. “He also had a rare mix of business sense, legal intuition and industry background. Those things position him uniquely in advising startups and life sciences businesses.
“I consider Phil a personal friend. He’s given me advice, and I’ve listened. Sometimes, I’ve supported him as well. What I like most about Phil is that he always acts with the highest levels of integrity and honesty. We both feel it’s more important to counsel a client in that client’s best interest rather than our own.” Speaking of Crowley Law, Richard was intrigued to learn that the light bulb and the transistor easily led the pack in the firm’s recent client survey of the most critical patents in American history. “It’s undeniable that electric light was a huge innovation that contributed to better human living conditions, including letting you work late into the night! Also, where would we be without our electronics, computers, phones, devices and
While Gearhart Law’s vast client base ensures no two days at the firm are the same, Richard is dedicated to helping innovative entrepreneurs navigate the common processes necessary to succeed. Early consultation with the firm is essential for startups to formulate a plan to file a provisional patent application and take the steps necessary to avoid premature public disclosures, such as drafting and implementing nondisclosure or confidentiality agreements. Above all, he advises clients to take a realistic, appropriately paced approach to pursuing their hoped-for patents. “One of the things that’s really important, whether it’s a patent or a trademark, is to understand the patent landscape before going
too far down the road in research and development. You want to make sure whatever you’re doing is new and original and doesn’t fall within the scope of someone else’s patent. “Waiting too long is another common mistake,” he adds. “There are deadlines that need to be respected in the U.S. and in other countries. Sometimes, inventors deprioritize the patent filing and, as a consequence, can lose out.” Considering Richard’s lengthy professional career in New Jersey, it’s no surprise he would eventually cross paths with Philip Crowley of Crowley Law LLC. The two first became acquainted when Philip was
televisions? All of that was made possible by the transistor; it’s a facet of just about everything that we’ve created since. It’s hard to top either invention, simply for the other technologies they made possible.”
As for what’s possible in the future, Richard remains committed to advancing human health with every new day at his firm.
“Helping people who are sick get better and live longer, healthier lives is one of the highest callings we can work on.”
For more information on Richard Gearhart and Gearhart Law, please visit GearhartLaw.com .
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From Lab to Patient, Garage to Market SECRETS TO A $10 MILLION STARTUP
late-1800s patent for the incandescent light bulb wouldn’t have become a reality. ... continued from Cover A similarly rocky road guided the transistor’s arrival. As ingenious as they were, co-discoverers Walter Brattain, John Bardeen and William Shockley shared a fractious relationship marred by squabbles over proper recognition and credit. Tensions escalated when Brattain and Bardeen conducted critical research without Shockley’s participation, leaving him feeling sidelined. Shockley retaliated by conducting his own independent research, leaving the others feeling cast aside when breakthroughs were achieved. The rivalry extended to disagreements over who should be on the patents and who should be featured in publicity photos. Although the three eventually reunited in 1956 to accept a joint Nobel Prize for their work, one wonders what more they could have achieved together had their partnership been more harmonious. As a lawyer representing innovators, I also can’t help but see the trio’s internal issues as an example of why today’s startup co-partners must enter into agreements that solidify everyone’s roles and stakes in whatever breakthrough they’re developing. The excitement and unity they may feel at the beginning of a venture can sometimes fade once conflicting opinions, egos and concepts of “success” cloud that initial positive vision. There’s much to learn from the stress that plagued the transistor’s development. As life-changing as the light bulb and transistor have been, I’m convinced unknown innovators in labs and garages around the world today have the potential to affect humanity as profoundly. The path ahead for these trailblazers likely won’t be easy, as it takes more perseverance and grit than most people possess. As an entrepreneur, you’ll have plenty of brilliant ideas that will either never make it to paper or crash and burn once they do. You’ll likely spend sleepless nights worrying about money and hoping that someone, somewhere, understands what you’re trying to do. You may be greeted by as many blank stares as you will blank checks. That’s when you keep going. A person’s belief in what they have to offer and their persistence in seeing it through are what will always distinguish a successful innovator from an
Scan to Watch!
“I think that is a magic trick that many of our listeners and viewers would like to replicate!”
When Philip Crowley makes this declaration during Episode 31 of his “From Lab to Patient, Garage to Market” podcast, he references one of the most awe-inspiring achievements ever featured on the series: a startup that raised $10 million in revenue without any outside investors. As incredibly rare as this feat may be, it’s not impossible. During one of the podcast’s most engaging episodes, special guest Aaron Price explains this “magic trick” and shares strategies to help rising entrepreneurs turn their ambitions into marketplace realities. Best known for his work as CEO of TechUnited:NJ (an organization and community dedicated to supporting and publicizing the work of innovators in the Garden State), Price is no stranger to future-focused innovation. While still in high school, he (along with his brother) developed a patented weightlifting device. Later, he founded deliverU, an online food ordering platform long before the days of smartphones. His entrepreneurial journey continued with the founding of the technology startups weCraft, effordables and livecube.
Now in the role of mentor, Price takes pride in providing TechUnited:NJ members with resources to help them avoid common pitfalls that lead to early failure.
“For early-stage entrepreneurs, it’s very personal [for me],” he explains to Crowley. “I was the member whom I am now serving. I was the person who needed a lot of access to expertise and wisdom, much like what you’re trying to do with this show to help people avoid mistakes.”
More information on TechUnited:NJ is available at TechUnited.co .
Hosted by Crowley Law LLC Founder and Managing Partner Philip Crowley, the “From Lab to Patient, Garage to Market” podcast is available on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast channels.
unsuccessful one. If Crowley Law LLC can help you achieve that success in any way, we’re always a phone call away.
SCAN TO VIEW THE “FROM LAB TO PATIENT, GARAGE TO MARKET” EPISODE ARCHIVE!
–Philip Crowley
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89 Headquarters Plaza, North Tower Suite 1461 Morristown, NJ 07960 908-460-5529 CrowleyLawLLC.com
In This Issue
1. From Grit to Glory
2. Thoughts From a Breakthrough Builder
3. Podcast Preview
4. Inside the Business Logic of a Retail Giant
It’s logical to think that most businesses grow by adding. They add more products, more channels or more convenience, and when they do it right, they add more customers. While many companies have followed this path, it’s not the only path to sustainable growth. Costco has found a different way, and that approach is part of what makes the retail giant so successful. At the end of 2025, Costco had over 81 million paid memberships and more than 900 stores worldwide. Yet for all its size and continued success, Costco is built around a surprisingly narrow business model. The company describes itself as a membership warehouse that keeps costs low and passes savings on to members. It also keeps a much tighter product mix than most retailers. While the average large supermarket carries around 30,000 active stock-keeping units, Costco says a typical warehouse stocks around 4,000. That smaller selection affects buying, storage, pricing and the overall shopping experience. A leaner product mix allows Costco to place larger orders for fewer items, giving the company more leverage with suppliers. It also helps Costco move inventory faster and avoid the drag of managing Scaling Through Restraint Costco’s Smarter Growth Strategy
too many slow-selling products. For customers, the experience is simpler. Costco typically offers only one or two brands for most products, which cuts down on overthinking and comparison. That kind of restraint can look old-fashioned in a market always chasing more, but Costco has shown that doing less doesn’t mean falling behind. In many cases, it’s what makes the rest of the model work. Its membership plans are just as important. Costco doesn’t rely only on what happens in the checkout line. In fiscal year 2025, the company reported $5.3 billion in revenue from membership fees alone. That gives the business a steadier base to stand on and changes the pressure around each sale. Of course, most companies can’t copy that exact setup, but the broader point still holds. Repeat revenue gives you room to think longer term. Costco understands that a business doesn’t win by getting larger at any cost. It wins by growing in ways it can actually sustain.
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