Is a partnership between patent attorneys A and B, which restricts them from accepting each other's clients, valid?

A partnership agreement between patent attorneys that restricts them from accepting each other’s clients violates ethical notions that govern the practice of law. Such restrictions can lead to competitive behavior that is detrimental to the clients' interests and the integrity of the legal profession. The principle of providing clients with an array of choices and the duty to act in their best interests is central to ethical legal practice.

Moreover, patent attorneys are bound by professional conduct rules which emphasize the importance of competition and client autonomy. Agreements that limit this access can create conflicts and may result in both disciplinary action from the relevant state bar association and the potential for professional misconduct claims.

In the context of the patent law practice, it is essential for attorneys to foster an environment where they can freely serve their clients without undue constraints imposed by their partnership agreements. Thus, any collaboration that imposes such a restriction is fundamentally against the ethical standards expected in the legal profession, rendering the partnership invalid.