Aren there cheaper alternatives?
There are some companies that are not law firms that will “help” you with your trademark. It is our experience that companies who charge $99 or $199 do not provide comprehensive analysis by an attorney. Only an attorney can represent you before the United States Patent and Trademark Office in trademark matters. If you are not represented by an attorney, you will have to respond to correspondence and office actions yourself, or you may find that you need an attorney mid-process.