About Us

Leading the Way in IP Law: Meet Pizarro Allen

Since 2017, Pizarro Allen has safeguarded ideas and innovations with tailored IP solutions. We provide strategic counsel and effective legal strategies, empowering you to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.

Who We Are

Simplifying a Complicated Process with Seasoned Expertise

Founded on decades of experience, we’ve empowered industry-leading businesses—from venture-backed startups to Fortune 100 companies—to capture and commercialize innovation. Our humility, integrity, diligence, and passion for continuous improvement drive us to provide precise, actionable advice and strategies. We prioritize quality, offering extensive expertise with the personalized service of a boutique firm to ensure unparalleled support, protection, and guidance for protecting your most important intangible assets. 

Our Mission

The Pizarro Allen Way

At Pizarro Allen, we strive to SERVE our clients, our team, and our community with a commitment to: 

Simplifying the Complex

At our core, we exist to help you simplify the complexities of intellectual property law into actionable strategies.

Enduring Relationships

We pride ourselves on responsiveness, ensuring we listen intently and provide meaningful, proactive solutions that demonstrate our understanding and dedication to client satisfaction for years to come. 

Results-Driven Approach

With a steadfast commitment to embodying humility, integrity, innovation, and diligence, we are dedicated to safeguarding your intellectual property – just as we’ve done for hundreds of others. 

Visionary Team

Together, we are a visionary team committed to safeguarding the innovations that shape tomorrow. We’re here to offer the direction and guidance you need to achieve your vision.

Evolutionary Growth

We are committed to a culture of continuous improvement and growth within our firm, ensuring that we continually improve our processes to better serve our clients.

Our Team

Meet The Individuals Behind The Work

Derrick Pizarro

Shareholder & Registered Patent Attorney

Derrick Pizarro has a wealth of experience in the legal field. He earned his Juris Doctor from Baylor University School of Law, following a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Derrick is admitted to practice in the State of Texas, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Western, and Eastern Districts of Texas, and the United States Courts of Appeal for the Federal Circuit and Fifth Circuit.

State Bar of Texas, Intellectual Property Law Section
  • Chair, 2019-2020
  • Chair-Elect, 2018-2019
  • Vice-Chair, 2017-2018
  • Treasurer, 2015-2017
  • Council Member, 2013-2015
  • Chair, Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition Committee, 2011-2013

San Antonio Bar Association

  • Community Justice Program, Participant

University of Texas at San Antonio

  • CITE $100k Student Technology Venture Competition, Judge
  • Department of Mechanical Engineering and Biomechanics, Advisory Board
  • Guest lecturer in undergraduate and graduate engineering and business program

North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce

  • Board of Directors, Past Member
  • Leadership Lab, Alumnus
Derrick Pizarro has a wealth of experience in the legal field. He earned his Juris Doctor from Baylor University School of Law, following a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Derrick is admitted to practice in the State of Texas, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Western, and Eastern Districts of Texas, and the United States Courts of Appeal for the Federal Circuit and Fifth Circuit.

State Bar of Texas, Intellectual Property Law Section
  • Chair, 2019-2020
  • Chair-Elect, 2018-2019
  • Vice-Chair, 2017-2018
  • Treasurer, 2015-2017
  • Council Member, 2013-2015
  • Chair, Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition Committee, 2011-2013

San Antonio Bar Association

  • Community Justice Program, Participant

University of Texas at San Antonio

  • CITE $100k Student Technology Venture Competition, Judge
  • Department of Mechanical Engineering and Biomechanics, Advisory Board
  • Guest lecturer in undergraduate and graduate engineering and business program

North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce

  • Board of Directors, Past Member
  • Leadership Lab, Alumnus

Court Allen

Shareholder & Registered Patent Attorney

With a Juris Doctor from Baylor University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, Court Allen has extensive legal and technical expertise. He is admitted to practice in the State of Texas, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and the United States District Courts for the Northern and Western Districts of Texas. Prior to co-founding Pizarro Allen, Court practiced at a large multi-disciplinary law firm. Before his legal career, Court served as an aerospace engineer at General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin.

Professional Memberships
  • State Bar of Texas, Intellectual Property Law Section, Member
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association, Member
  • The Federalist Society, Member

Community Involvement
  • San Antonio Bar Association, Community Justice Program
  • San Antonio Bar Association, Wills Clinic
  • CITE $100k Student Technology Venture Competition, Judge
  • UTSA College of Business, Management of Technology Program, Guest Lecturer, 2008-2015
  • North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, 2015-2017
  • South Texas Regional Center for Innovation and Commercialization, Emerging Technology Fund Screening Committee, 2009-2011
  • San Antonio Christian School, Board of Directors, 2013-2024
  • First Presbyterian Church, San Antonio, Texas, Elder, 2003-2012, 2019-2021
  • Pay it Forward Ministries, San Antonio, Texas, Board of Directors, 2011-2012
  • Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council, Golf Tournament Committee, 2008-2011

Awards & Recognition
  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV® Peer Review Rating
  • Top Attorneys, San Antonio Magazine, 2019, 2020, 2021
  • Texas Monthly Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2005
  • Managing Editor, Baylor Law Review, 1997
  • Private Pilot, 2024
With a Juris Doctor from Baylor University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, Court Allen has extensive legal and technical expertise. He is admitted to practice in the State of Texas, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and the United States District Courts for the Northern and Western Districts of Texas. Prior to co-founding Pizarro Allen, Court practiced at a large multi-disciplinary law firm. Before his legal career, Court served as an aerospace engineer at General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin.

Professional Memberships
  • State Bar of Texas, Intellectual Property Law Section, Member
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association, Member
  • The Federalist Society, Member

Community Involvement
  • San Antonio Bar Association, Community Justice Program
  • San Antonio Bar Association, Wills Clinic
  • CITE $100k Student Technology Venture Competition, Judge
  • UTSA College of Business, Management of Technology Program, Guest Lecturer, 2008-2015
  • North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, 2015-2017
  • South Texas Regional Center for Innovation and Commercialization, Emerging Technology Fund Screening Committee, 2009-2011
  • San Antonio Christian School, Board of Directors, 2013-2024
  • First Presbyterian Church, San Antonio, Texas, Elder, 2003-2012, 2019-2021
  • Pay it Forward Ministries, San Antonio, Texas, Board of Directors, 2011-2012
  • Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council, Golf Tournament Committee, 2008-2011

Awards & Recognition
  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV® Peer Review Rating
  • Top Attorneys, San Antonio Magazine, 2019, 2020, 2021
  • Texas Monthly Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2005
  • Managing Editor, Baylor Law Review, 1997
  • Private Pilot, 2024

Michael L. Gostkowski, Ph.D.

Patent Agent

Michael L. Gostkowski has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, summa cum laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from The University of Texas at Austin. He also has  significant experience  in the semiconductor industry, with particular expertise with laser spectroscopy. Michael brings a deep understanding of science and technology to his practice. He is admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Prior to Pizarro Allen, Michael practiced at a large multi-disciplinary law firm.

Michael L. Gostkowski has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, summa cum laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from The University of Texas at Austin. He also has  significant experience  in the semiconductor industry, with particular expertise with laser spectroscopy. Michael brings a deep understanding of science and technology to his practice. He is admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Prior to Pizarro Allen, Michael practiced at a large multi-disciplinary law firm.

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