Seed Intellectual Property Law Group PLLC

BACKGROUND

Will specializes in electronic patent matters. He received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Utah State University in 2002. He was awarded his J.D. from the University Washington School of Law in 2010.

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining Seed IP, Will’s professional experience included working as a CMOS Image Sensor Product Engineer at Micron Technologies in Boise, ID. His experience includes silicon verification and optimization of production tests. Will also worked for two years as a Submarine Systems Test Engineer at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA, where he was responsible for verifying the completion of system dependant repairs as well as testing system components prior to restoring system functionality. Before becoming a patent agent, Will worked as a Summer Associate at Seed IP, where he gained experience in drafting patent applications and prosecuting Office Actions.

AFFILIATIONS

Will is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association.

BACKGROUND

David specializes in foreign and domestic patent prosecution as well as infringement and invalidity studies. He received a B.S. in Physics (with an emphasis in Nanotechnology) and a minor in Mathematics from Brigham Young University in 2005. David also received an M.E. in Electrical Engineering (with an emphasis in Integrated Circuit Design and Fabrication) from the University of Utah in 2007. He was awarded his J.D. from the J. Reuben Clark Law School of Brigham Young University in 2010.

EXPERIENCE

David’s experience includes designing and fabricating digital and analog integrated circuits and MEMS devices at the University of Utah. He has also performed research in the fabrication and applications of carbon nanotubes.

AFFILIATIONS

David is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association.

BACKGROUND

Joshua specializes in U.S. and foreign electrical engineering, computer science, and mechanical patent matters, including patent procurement, licensing, business methods, and strategic portfolio management. He received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering (2003) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and holds a J.D. (2008), also from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining Seed IP, Joshua served as a Patent Examiner at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (Alexandria, VA) for several years. Soon thereafter, he served as an intern at the Wisconsin Department of Justice (Madison, WI) and then spent the following four years as a law clerk and associate. Joshua has many years of experience in drafting and prosecuting patent applications in electrical, mechanical, and software-related technologies, developing client patent programs, and drafting and presenting non-infringement, invalidity and patentability opinions. He also specializes in IP strategies, counseling clients on strategic development of their domestic and international intellectual property portfolios.

AFFILIATIONS

Joshua is admitted to the Washington State Bar, the Wisconsin State Bar, and the United States District Court – Western District of Wisconsin, and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the Washington State Patent Law Association.

BACKGROUND

Jeff specializes in strategic intellectual property counseling, patent procurement and enforcement, licensing, and patent assertion management services to chemical, mechanical, and electro-mechanical companies. He provides these services across a broad range of multi-disciplinary industry sectors, including semiconductor, pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, medical devices, wireless telecommunication, transportation, and alternative energy industries. He received a B.S. (cum laude) in Chemical Engineering (1982) from the University of Idaho and holds a J.D. (1985), also from the University of Idaho.

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining Seed IP, Jeff served as a patent attorney at the Dow Chemical Company (Midland, MI) for several years. He has since amassed over twenty-five years of experience as a patent attorney, drafting and prosecuting patent applications across a multitude of industries. Jeff specializes in IP strategies, licensing strategies, counseling clients in strategic development of their domestic and international intellectual property portfolios, developing client patent programs, and drafting and presenting non-infringement, invalidity and patentability opinions.

AFFILIATIONS

Jeff is admitted to the state bars of Washington, Idaho, and Michigan. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court of Idaho, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Jeff is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association, the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Intellectual Property Owners Association, the Asian Bar Association of Washington, and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. Jeff has been a past lecturer and panelist at CASRIP (Center for Advanced Study and Research on Intellectual Property), an annual two-week seminar sponsored by the University of Washington School of Law. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America annually since 2007, and has been selected as a Super Lawyer by Washington Law & Politics magazine annually since 2004.

BACKGROUND

Shoko specializes in U.S. and foreign patent procurement in a variety of fields including optical, electrical, mechanical, and software technologies. In addition, she provides clients with patent infringement and validity opinions, due diligence reviews, trademark procurement, and general intellectual property law counseling and strategic portfolio management. Shoko received a B.S. in Physics from the University of Washington (1998) and a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from Waseda University (Tokyo; 1990). She holds a J.D. from University of Washington School of Law (1997).

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining Seed IP, Shoko had extensive experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in electrical and software-related technologies, developing client patent programs, and drafting and presenting non-infringement, invalidity and patentability opinions. Shoko also specializes in IP strategies, counseling clients on strategic development of their domestic and international intellectual property portfolios. Prior to her experience in patent law, Shoko participated in a Judicial Clerk Externship program at the Whatcom County Superior Court in Bellingham, WA.

AFFILIATIONS

Shoko is admitted to the Washington State Bar and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. She is a member of the American Bar Association, Washington State Patent Law Association, and King County Bar Association. Shoko is also a Summer Seminar Faculty Member for CASRIP (Center for Advanced Study and Research on Intellectual Property), a seminar which takes place annually at the University of Washington.

BACKGROUND

Jim specializes in U.S. and foreign software and
computer-related matters including patent procurement, prosecution and strategic portfolio management. He received a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Portland (1996) and holds a J.D. from Willamette University College of Law (2000) where he received the Dean’s High Paper Award in Patent Law and Policy.

EXPERIENCE

Jim’s technical experience includes working in the software engineering department at Tektronix, Inc. and as a software engineer at a subsidiary of NEC, Inc. After receiving his law degree, Jim also served four years in the U.S. Air Force as a communications officer and network design engineer and later gained international experience by spending two years working as U.S. patent attorney in Beijing, China. Jim has many years of experience in drafting and prosecuting patent applications in electrical and software-related technologies, developing clients’ internal patent programs and providing non-infringement, invalidity and patentability opinions. He also specializes in IP strategies and counseling clients on strategic development of their domestic and international intellectual property portfolios.

AFFILIATIONS

Jim is admitted to the Washington State Bar and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association, American Intellectual Property Law Association, and the American Bar Association.

BACKGROUND

Eric Harwood specializes in U.S. and foreign chemical patent matters, including patent procurement, licensing, and strategic portfolio management. He received a B.S. in Chemistry (summa cum laude) from the University of California, Davis (1993) and a M.S. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Washington (1997). Eric earned a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Washington (1999). He holds a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law (2009).

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining Seed IP as an associate, Eric served as a principal scientist at Chiron Corporation (Seattle, WA) for over six years where he helped develop HIV, cancer, diabetes, and antibacterial drug candidates. Eric’s work at Chiron included process development, cGMP synthesis, and drug discovery, as well as preparation of technology transfer documents and FDA regulatory submissions. While at the University of Washington, he developed novel synthetic methods for preparing modified nucleosides and cross-linked oligonucleotides. Eric also previously worked as a research chemist at Gilead Sciences (Foster City, CA) developing HIV protease inhibitors. Eric has co-authored multiple scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals and is a co-inventor on several pending U.S. and foreign patent applications.

AFFILIATIONS

Eric is admitted to the Washington State Bar and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association and the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association.

BACKGROUND

Gary received his B.A. in 1970 and his MBA in 1974 at the University of Washington.

EXPERIENCE

As the firm’s chief operating officer, Gary is responsible for the overall day-to-day operations of the firm. He has general management responsibility for financial planning and controls, personnel administration, systems, and facilities. Gary sits on Seed IP’s Management and Compensation Committees, oversees business development and attorney/agent hiring, and assumes a lead role in the firm’s strategic and organization planning.

AFFILIATIONS

BACKGROUND

Tracy Umphrey received her B.S. at Montana State University in 1980.

EXPERIENCE

Tracy manages all areas of human resources including recruiting, staffing, employee relations, compensation and benefits. She also coordinates the firm’s Summer Associate Program and recruiting.

AFFILIATIONS

Tracy is a member of Association of Legal Administrators, Seattle Area Legal Recruiting Administrators, and Society for Human Resource Management.

BACKGROUND

Kevin Costanza specializes in mechanical patent prosecution, trademark clearance and registration, and intellectual property licensing. He received a B.S. in Engineering from the University of California at Irvine in 1990, concentrating in mechanical engineering and material sciences. He received his J.D. (cum laude) from Seattle University School of Law in 1995.

EXPERIENCE

After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Kevin worked as an engineer with the Irvine, California office of Fluor Daniel, Inc., where he drafted design specifications for petrochemical facilities.

AFFILIATIONS

Kevin is admitted to the Washington and California State Bars and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association and the American Intellectual Property Law Association.

BACKGROUND

Jared Barrett specializes in mechanical patent prosecution and trademark registration. Jared received his B.S. (magna cum laude) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington in 2001, and was awarded his J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law in 2007.

EXPERIENCE

After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Jared worked as a design engineer at Genie Industries, a division of the Terex Corporation, designing a range of aerial lift and material handling equipment. Jared was involved in all stages of the design process from initial concept, through design, manufacturing, testing, and product support. He also served as a member of the New Product Development team where his responsibilities included producing and maintaining engineering product documentation and conducting structural analysis.

AFFILIATIONS

Jared is admitted to the Washington State Bar and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and the Washington State Patent Law Association.

BACKGROUND

Hal Bennett specializes in electronic and mechanical patent matters. He earned a B.S. with Highest Honors in Electronic Engineering Technology from ITT Technical Institute (2000).

EXPERIENCE

Hal has over twenty years of experience in manufacturing, and was the owner and operator of a commercial sign manufacturing company.  Prior to joining Seed IP, he worked for The Boeing Company where he had responsibility for signage throughout offices and manufacturing facilities of Boeing in the Puget Sound region. Hal is fluent in Spanish.

AFFILIATIONS

Hal is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

BACKGROUND

Nathan Durrance specializes in all forms of intellectual property with a particular emphasis in patents and trademarks. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law in 2003, receiving his Juris Doctorate with the honorary designation Order of the Coif. Prior to law school, Nathan attended Stanford University on a doctoral fellowship, receiving a Master of Science in Engineering in 2000. Nathan also attended the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1998, where he graduated cum laude, received numerous fellowships, and was admitted to the Tau Beta Pi and Chi Epsilon Engineering Honor Societies.

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining Seed IP, Nathan held clerkships in both the federal district and appellate courts, clerking for Chief Judge Marilyn Huff in the Southern District of California, and Judge M. Margaret McKeown of the Ninth Circuit. Nathan’s clerkship experiences equip him well for effectively managing many facets of litigation. He also has experience prosecuting patents in diverse technological fields such as electrical, mechanical, biomedical, telecommunications, computer science, physics, optics, and materials. Prior to law school, Nathan worked as a Project Engineer at Monte Vista Water District (Montclair, CA), Camp Dresser & McKee (Ontario, CA) and Kajima Construction Services (Monterey Park, CA).

AFFILIATIONS

Nathan is registered to practice in Washington (2009), the District of Columbia (2009), California (2003), and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association, the American Bar Association, and the American Intellectual Property Law Association.

BACKGROUND

Bill Ferron has counseled leading Northwest clients on patent, trademark and copyright matters for more than twenty-nine years, with an emphasis on strategic protection, licensing, dispute resolution and litigation. He graduated cum laude from the University of Dayton School of Engineering (1978) and received a J.D. from the University of Washington (1981). 

EXPERIENCE

Bill has lectured on patent, trademark and copyright law at the University of Washington (1984-1995), has published numerous articles on intellectual property, and served as expert witness and Special Master in federal court disputes. Bill is a senior member of Seed IP and a former Managing Partner.

AFFILIATIONS

Bill is a member of Tau Beta Pi and is registered to practice in Washington State and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is past president of the Washington State Patent Law Association and former director of the Washington Lawyers for the Arts. Bill is a member of the American Bar Association, the Washington State Patent Law Association, and the Seattle Intellectual Property American Inn of Court.


HONORS AND AWARDS

• Listed in Best Lawyers in America®, 1991-2011.
• Best Lawyers® Seattle Lawyer of the Year – Intellectual Property Law, 2010.
• Washington Super Lawyers® honoree, 1998-2010.
• Listed in Seattle Metropolitan’s “Top Lawyers” issue, 2010.
• Top 40 Washington IP Super Lawyers® honoree, 2006-2008.

BACKGROUND

Karl Klassen specializes in mechanical patent prosecution. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and minor in Mathematics (high honors) from California State University Fullerton (1998) and a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University (2000). Karl was awarded his J.D. by the University of California Hastings College of the Law (2003). While at California State University Fullerton, he was the recipient of the Department Chair Award which is presented to the top mechanical engineering student. In 1998, Karl served as Vice-President of the Inter Club Council for Engineering and Computer Science and as the President of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

EXPERIENCE

Karl’s technical experience includes research at California State University Fullerton where he created computer programs simulating golf swings in order to design golf swing aids. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, he worked as an applications engineer at Unigraphics Solutions where he developed FEA software which used ANSYS® and Nastran/MSC solvers and meshers. In addition to validating thermal, modal, and structural analyses, Karl designed FEA models for sales representatives and resolved customers’ technical problems. Karl’s legal experience includes drafting and prosecuting patent applications, drafting patent opinions, managing patent portfolios, and conducting due diligence studies to evaluate intellectual property portfolios. He has significant patent prosecution experience in the fields of injection molding, packaging, combustion engines, transportation vehicles, medical devices, and semiconductors.

AFFILIATIONS

Karl is registered to practice in Washington (2009), the District of Columbia (2009), California (2003), and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association.

BACKGROUND

Lorraine Linford specializes in domestic and foreign patent protection in the mechanical and aeronautical fields. She assists clients in both utility and design patent procurement and enforcement, strategic planning, patentability, validity and infringement opinions, and conflict resolution. Lorraine has worked with a broad range of technologies, including ultrahigh-pressure fluid systems, medical devices, clean-automotive technologies, and various consumer products. She also specializes in U.S. and international trademark, trade dress and unfair competition issues, and assists clients with all forms of agreements, including patent and trademark licensing, and product distribution agreements.

Lorraine received a B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Washington, where she was awarded the Louis and Katherine Marsh Memorial Scholarship. She also received a J.D. from the University of Washington, where she won the Nathan Burkan Memorial Competition for her paper on competing standards for determining substantial similarity in copyright cases.

EXPERIENCE

Prior to attending law school, Lorraine worked for Mannesmann Tally Corporation, where she developed a reliability and safety standard certification study for a new line printer.

AFFILIATIONS

Lorraine is admitted to the bar in Washington (1991) and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Her professional affiliations include the American Bar Association and the Washington State Patent Law Association.


HONORS AND AWARDS

• Listed in Best Lawyers in America®, 2011.
• Listed in Seattle Metropolitan’s “Top Lawyers” issue, 2010.

 

BACKGROUND

Jim White specializes in the domestic and foreign prosecution of software and Internet-related patents, and also provides services in strategic planning and analysis of patent portfolios, patent validity and infringement opinions, and patent licensing. He received his technical degrees from Stanford University, including an M.S. in Computer Science (1991) and a B.S. in Symbolic Systems with an emphasis in Artificial Intelligence (1989). After over six years of work as a software engineer in the Silicon Valley, he returned to Boalt Hall at the University of California, Berkeley, where he received his J.D. (1997) and was appointed to the Order of the Coif. While at Boalt Hall, he was an Executive Editor of the Berkeley Technology Law Journal.

EXPERIENCE

Jim’s professional experience includes research and development work at several companies, including Nortel Networks and Rockwell International. He has extensive expertise in a number of software-related technologies and e-commerce applications, including communications protocols, cryptography, object-oriented programming, telecom, data mining, operating systems, networking, decision theory, artificial intelligence, compilers, and parallel-processing.
Jim has spoken on and is co-author of the publication, “Software Patents: Procuring and Enforcing,” The Patent Resources Group, October 1999, as well as authoring several other software-related legal publications.

AFFILIATIONS

Jim is admitted to the Washington State Bar (1997) and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and the Washington State Patent Law Association.

BACKGROUND

Russ Tarleton has assisted clients in the procurement and enforcement of patents, trademarks, and copyrights for over twenty years. He received a B.S. in Aeronautics (cum laude) from Utah State University (1982) and was awarded his J.D. by the University of Utah (1986). He received his Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington (1998).

EXPERIENCE

Russ recently argued before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld dismissal of a trademark case in his client’s favor. His patent prosecution focuses on the electrical and electro-mechanical arts. He has also lectured in various forums on intellectual property issues. Before attending law school, Russ worked as a court reporter in federal and state court and as a technician with National Semiconductor maintaining microchip manufacturing equipment.

AFFILIATIONS

Russ is a member of the Utah State Bar (1992), the Washington State Bar (1987), and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. His professional memberships include the American Bar Association, the American Intellectual Property Law Association, and the Washington State Patent Law Association. He contributes to his community through volunteer work, including 3+ years as a Scoutmaster and with Habitat for Humanity (Cambodia in 2010).

BACKGROUND

Hayley Stevens specializes in domestic and foreign patent prosecution and domestic trademark matters. Hayley received a B.S. (cum laude) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida with an emphasis in digital design (2004). She was awarded her J.D. from Willamette University College of Law (2008).

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining Seed IP, Hayley drafted patent applications at a small patent prosecution law firm in Washington, D.C.

AFFILIATIONS

Hayley is admitted to the Washington State Bar and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. She is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

BACKGROUND

Stevan Stark specializes in computer-related patent prosecution. He received his B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Utah in 1996 and was awarded his J.D. (summa cum laude) from Seattle University School of Law in 2007, where he was a Research and Technical Editor for the Law Review.

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining the Seed IP Law Group, Stevan served as a judicial extern for U.S. District Court Judge Ricardo S. Martinez. Stevan also has extensive experience in the software industry where he worked as a software engineer at several companies, including Amazon.com, Digeo, Inc., and Orbtek, Inc. (now Bausch & Lomb Surgical). After graduating from the University of Utah, he worked as a research associate for the University’s Computer Vision and Robotics Research Group. Stevan has co-authored multiple research papers that have been published in several peer-reviewed journals.

AFFILIATIONS

Stevan is admitted to the Washington State Bar. He is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and the Washington State Patent Law Association.

BACKGROUND

Tom Satagaj provides intellectual property rights counsel including patent portfolio strategy development, due diligence analysis, and validity and infringement studies.  Tom specializes in patent procurement and licensing in the electrical engineering, embedded systems, and computer-related fields.  He graduated (cum laude) from the University of Bridgeport with a B.S. in Computer Engineering, minor in Mathematics (1987) and went on to receive a J.D. (cum laude) from Seattle University (2006).

EXPERIENCE

Tom has nearly 20 years of industry experience bringing electronic systems from initial concept through design, manufacturing, and market delivery. He is well-versed in many facets of high and low-level software, electronics, and engineering design methodologies. Tom has expert level knowledge of several microprocessor families, electronic communication protocols, and electronic devices, and he specializes in digital electronics integration and embedded systems. Tom began his career at Norden Systems, a division of United Technologies Corporation (UTC), writing embedded software for advanced military radar and ballistics systems. Later, he moved to another UTC division, Otis Elevator, to work on high-rise elevator controllers. Tom then joined Measurement Systems International (MSI), an industrial weighing systems manufacturer, where he designed, developed, and integrated embedded software. Most recently, Tom worked as an architect level engineer and engineering manager at BSQUARE Corporation, where he designed and integrated consumer electronic systems built around Microsoft’s family of embedded operating systems.

AFFILIATIONS

Tom is admitted to the Washington State Bar and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of the King County Bar Association (KCBA), the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), the Washington State Patent Law Association (WSPLA), The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE).

BACKGROUND

Bob Iannucci earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Union College in 1985 and a J.D. from Boston University in 1988.

EXPERIENCE

Bob specializes in domestic and foreign patent protection in the electrical, electronics, and computer fields. He assists clients in patent procurement and enforcement, strategic planning, patentability, validity and infringement opinions, and conflict resolution. Bob formerly worked with an Italian intellectual property law firm in Milan, Italy and is fluent in Italian.

AFFILIATIONS

Bob is admitted to the bar of the states of New York (1988), Massachusetts (1988), and Washington (1991), and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (1989), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and several District Courts. He is also a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association.

BACKGROUND

Dave Carlson specializes in electrical and electronic patent matters, including licensing and litigation. He received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Brigham Young University (1979) and a J.D. from the J. Reuben Clark Law School of Brigham Young (1982).

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining Seed IP Law Group, Dave was a patent examiner for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He also previously worked as a patent attorney with Texas Instruments, where he specialized in obtaining U.S. and Japanese patent protection on semiconductor devices, computer design, and electronic systems. Dave is a faculty member of the University of Washington School of Law where he teaches a course on patent preparation and prosecution. He also lectures each summer for CASRIP (Center for Advanced Study and Research on Intellectual Property) on advanced patent preparation and prosecution topics. Dave is fluent in Japanese.

AFFILIATIONS

Dave is a member of the state bars of Washington (1988) and Texas (1983), and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association (president, 1996-97), the Japan America Society, and the American Bar Association. He is also a member of Eta Kappa Nu.

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Listed inThe Best Lawyers in America®, 2011.
• Washington Super Lawyers® honoree, 2001, 2003 & 2005-2007.
• Listed in Seattle Metropolitan‘s “Top Lawyers” issue, 2010.
• Top 40 Washington IP Super Lawyers® honoree, 2006 & 2008.
• President, Washington State Patent Law Association, 1996-1997.

BACKGROUND

Tim Boller specializes in electrical patent prosecution and intellectual property litigation. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering (1986) and went on to receive a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center (1994).

EXPERIENCE

After receiving his J.D., Tim was a judicial clerk to U.S. District Court Judge J. Thomas Marten and was a research attorney for the Kansas Court of Appeals. He has extensive research and legislative assistant experience, including a five year period with U.S. Representative Jim Slattery.

AFFILIATIONS

Tim is admitted to the Washington State Bar (1999), U.S. Federal Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, and the U.S. Federal Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Tim is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association and the Washington State Bar Association.

BACKGROUND

Frank Abramonte specializes in patent prosecution in electrical, software, and electro-mechanical engineering. In addition, Frank provides services in patent portfolio strategizing, licensing, due diligence studies, and validity and infringement studies and opinions, as well as related litigation counseling. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering with an emphasis in Computer Science from the University of Colorado in 1984 and was awarded his Juris Doctorate at the University of Oregon in 1992.

EXPERIENCE

In addition to his years as a patent attorney, Frank has four years of industry experience as an engineer, including CAD/CAM and database application development in the fields of electrical systems, propulsion, fluid mechanics, and structures including surface modeling and electro-mechanical systems.

AFFILIATIONS

Frank is a member of the Washington and Oregon State Bars, and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

BACKGROUND

Julie Urvater specializes in biotechnology patent matters. She received her B.A. in French from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst (1988), and her Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1998), where she specialized in immunology. Her graduate research centered around the study of genetic predisposition to reactive arthritis in nonhuman primates.

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining Seed IP, Julie was a post-doctoral research fellow in the Program in Immunology at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

AFFILIATIONS

Julie is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association and the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association. She is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

BACKGROUND

Michael McDonald specializes in patent matters pertaining to biotechnology. He received a B.S. (magna cum laude) in Biological Sciences from Colorado State University (1995) and a M.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Brandeis University (2000). Michael went on to earn a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology, also from Brandeis University (2002).

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining Seed IP, Michael was a post-doctoral research fellow at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and at Universite de Geneve in Geneve, Switzerland. He has been awarded many scholarships and grants including the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship, the Human Frontier Science Program Long-Term Postdoctoral Fellowship, and the Genetic and Biochemical Mechanisms of Regulation Grant. Michael has co-authored a number of scientific articles, including several on the regulatory mechanisms and output pathways of Drosophila circadian rhythms. He is proficient in French.

AFFILIATIONS

For several years, Michael served as the assistant editor of the Pole Position newsletter at the National Centers for Competence in Research in Geneve, Switzerland. Michael is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. His professional affiliations include the Washington State Patent Law Association and the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association.

BACKGROUND

Mary Anne Mashruwala (Patent Agent) specializes in patent matters pertaining to biotechnology. She received her B.S. in Biology from the University of South Carolina Honors College (2001) and her Ph.D. in the areas of Molecular Pathology and Immunology from the University of Texas Health Science Center (2006).

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining the Seed IP Law Group, Mary Anne served as a research assistant at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She also conducted her graduate research in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center and studied T cell interactions with infected macrophages in a tuberculosis model. Mary Anne has co-authored research papers that have been published in peer-reviewed journals.

AFFILIATIONS

Mary Anne is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Her professional affiliations include the Washington State Patent Law Association and the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association.

BACKGROUND

Jeff Hundley specializes in biotechnology patent matters. He received a B.S. in Biochemistry from California State University Fullerton (1992) and a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Texas Health Science Center (1996).

EXPERIENCE

At the University of Texas Jeff co-authored several scientific articles relating to his studies of molecular determinants of cancer development, progression, and chemotherapeutic responsiveness.
Jeff has extensive experience in both law firm and corporate settings relating to strategic intellectual property design, procurement and management, with particular expertise in patent application preparation and prosecution in the biological and chemical arts.

AFFILIATIONS

Jeff is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. His professional affiliations include the Washington State Patent Law Association and the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association.

BACKGROUND

Dave Enfield specializes in patent matters pertaining to biotechnology and medical devices. He received a B.S. in Life Sciences from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1966) and a Ph.D. in Medical Physiology from Boston University (1972). His graduate research related to muscle chemistry and physiology. After receiving his Ph.D., he held postdoctoral research positions at the University of Washington, where he studied the protein chemistry of blood coagulation and automated methods for amino acid sequence determination.

EXPERIENCE

Following his academic research experience, Dave held several research and product development positions in the animal pharmaceutical and human medical device and diagnostics industries. These included IMC Pittman Moore, Sanofi, Biotope, and the Bard Diagnostic Sciences subsidiary of C.R. Bard. He has co-authored a number of scientific articles, is an inventor on issued patents, and has successfully brought projects through FDA approval and market release.

Dave served as the Patent Officer at Bard Diagnostic Sciences and, prior to joining Seed IP, was a corporate Patent Agent at NeoRx Corporation, involved in the prosecution and management of an extensive portfolio of biotechnology and chemistry patents and applications.

AFFILIATIONS

Dave is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. His professional affiliations include the Washington State Patent Law Association, American Intellectual Property Law Association, and the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association.

BACKGROUND

Emily Wagner specializes in chemical patent matters, including U.S. and international patent procurement, and strategic management of intellectual property portfolios. She received a B.A. in Chemistry (summa cum laude) from Bowdoin College where she conducted research in the field of organometallic chemistry and was awarded the Kamerling Laboratory Award for her work in organic chemistry. Emily holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining Seed IP Law Group, Emily represented emerging growth technology companies and venture capital firms in a wide range of transactions including mergers and acquisitions, venture capital financings, public offerings, corporate partnerships and technology licensing, as well as general corporate matters.

AFFILIATIONS

Emily is admitted to the Washington State Bar and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. She is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association, the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association, and the American Chemical Society.

BACKGROUND

Richard Sharkey specializes in U.S. and international patent matters pertaining to biotechnology and chemistry. His practice is directed primarily toward client counseling, including providing patentability, validity and infringement opinions, and patenting and licensing technology. Richard received an A.B. (cum laude) in Biology from Washington University (1974) and a Ph.D. in Chemistry (biochemistry thesis) from the University of California-San Diego (1980). He received his J.D. from the University of Washington (1987).

EXPERIENCE

Richard participated in Seed and Berry’s prosecution of Ex Parte Allen, in which the U.S. Patent Office Board of Appeals ruled that genetically engineered animals are patentable subject matter. He has lectured to companies and academic institutions on international patent protection. Richard’s professional experience includes work as a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Washington School of Medicine. During his tenure there, he published articles pertaining to biochemistry, toxicology, neurobiology and membrane biology.

AFFILIATIONS

Richard is a member of the Washington State Bar and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. His professional affiliations include the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Licensing Executives Society, the Washington State Patent Law Association, and the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association.


HONORS AND AWARDS

• Listed inThe Best Lawyers in America®, 2005-2011.
• Washington Super Lawyers® honoree, 2004-2010.
• Listed in Seattle Metropolitan’s “Top Lawyers” issue, 2010.
• Top 40 Washington IP Super Lawyers® honoree, 2006 & 2008.

 

BACKGROUND

Carol Roth specializes in U.S. and international chemical patent matters, including patent procurement and strategic management of intellectual property portfolios.  She holds a J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law (1987) and received her B.S. in Zoology (magna cum laude) from Southeast Missouri State University (1977).

EXPERIENCE

Carol has extensive experience in the pharmaceutical chemical patent field.  Her patent law experience includes work as a corporate patent attorney for Syntex (USA) Inc., where she drafted and prosecuted patent applications in human and veterinary pharmaceutical and diagnostic fields involving new chemical entities, synthetic processes, and enzyme technology.  Prior to joining Seed in 2001, Carol held the position of Patent Counsel for Berlex Biosciences, a U.S. subsidiary of Schering AG, where she managed all aspects of the patent portfolio while providing legal and strategic counseling to management.

AFFILIATIONS

Carol is admitted to the Washington and California state bars and to the District of Columbia bar. She is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Carol is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. She is also a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Washington State Patent Law Association, and the American Bar Association.

BACKGROUND

Mae Joanne Rosok specializes in biotechnology patent matters. She received a B.A. in Microbiology (high honors) and an M.S. in Chemistry (biochemistry thesis) from the University of Montana. She holds a J.D. from Seattle University School of Law (magna cum laude, 2001) where she served as a Research and Technical Editor on the Seattle University Law Review.

EXPERIENCE

During her scientific career, Mae Joanne worked in the fields of infectious diseases and oncology, primarily in research and development of diagnostic and therapeutic antibodies. She has authored several publications, prepared regulatory documents for submission to the FDA, and is a named inventor on several patents.

AFFILIATIONS

Mae is admitted to the bar in Washington State and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. She is a member of the American Bar Association and the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Washington State Patent Law Association.

BACKGROUND

Steve Rosenman specializes in U.S. and foreign patent matters pertaining to biotechnology, including patent prosecution and strategic management of intellectual property portfolios. His practice also features trademark clearance and registration. He holds a J.D. from Seattle University School of Law (formerly University of Puget Sound Law School) (1997). Steve received his B.A. in Biology (with honors) from Wesleyan University (1979) and a Ph.D. in Biology from Yale University (1986), where his emphasis was Immunobiology.

EXPERIENCE

Steve has assisted Seed IP clients with biotechnology patents and in trademark matters since the mid-1990’s. Early in his career, Steve conducted post-doctoral research in the divisions of Biochemical Oncology and Cell Biology at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. His professional background in immunology, cell and molecular biology, and biochemistry includes extensive experience in academic departments and in the biotechnology industry. He has authored publications in the fields of cellular and molecular immunology, glycoconjugate biochemistry, and cell adhesion.

AFFILIATIONS

Steve is admitted to practice in the state of Washington (1997), and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of the Washington State and American Bar Associations, the American Intellectual Property Law Association, and the Washington State Patent Law Association. He also lectures on U.S. patent practice at the University of Washington Center for Advanced Study and Research on Intellectual Property (CASRIP).

BACKGROUND

Mark Rogel specializes in domestic and foreign patent prosecution of biotechnology and microbiology matters, and in strategic patent portfolio management. He received his B.S. (cum laude) in Microbiology from the University of Washington in 1994, and was awarded his J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law in 2007.

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining Seed IP Law Group, Mark served as a legal extern for Labor and Industries Division of the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Washington. Mark also has extensive experience as a researcher in a preeminent molecular virology laboratory at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, where he managed several independent research projects that focused on the molecular biology of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Mark’s research ranged from determining the role of auxiliary genes in the viral life cycle to studying the roles of various immune cells, including dendritic cells, in viral transfer. Mark has written or co-authored multiple research papers that have been published in several different peer-reviewed scientific journals.

AFFILIATIONS

Mark is admitted to the Washington State Bar and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association and the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association.

BACKGROUND

Sean M. O’Connor specializes in intellectual property and business law involving biotechnology, cyberspace/information technology, and new media/digital arts. He is Associate Professor, Faculty Director of the Entrepreneurial Law Clinic, and Associate Director of both the Program in IP Law & Policy and the Center for Advanced Studies and Research on IP (CASRIP) at the University of Washington School of Law. Professor O’Connor is Of Counsel to Seed IP. He holds a J.D. from Stanford Law School, M.A. (Philosophy) from Arizona State University, and B.A. (History) from University of Massachusetts, Boston.

EXPERIENCE

Professor O’Connor lectures and publishes on IP and business law around the world, including India, Japan, Korea, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Canada. His articles have been translated for publication into multiple languages. He began practicing law at major international business and technology law firms in New York and Boston, and was General Counsel to Rhizome.org from 2000-2006. Professor O’Connor began his academic career at the University of Pittsburgh before joining the faculty at the University of Washington School of Law in 2003, where he was promoted to Associate Professor with life tenure in 2006. He was Visiting Professor and Kauffman Fellow in Law & Entrepreneurship at University of California Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) in 2007. Professor O’Connor is also a faculty fellow at the Institute for Public Health Genetics, the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and the Economics Policy Research Center, all at University of Washington. He has written numerous articles and book chapters, and is co-author of Genetic Technologies and the Law (with Patricia Kuszler & Katherine Battuello; Carolina Academic Press 2007).

AFFILIATIONS

Professor O’Connor is admitted to practice in Washington, New York and Massachusetts. He is a member of the Order of the Coif, Washington State Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, American Intellectual Property Law Association, American Bar Association, and the Licensing Executives Society.

BACKGROUND

Becky specializes in U.S. and international patent matters related to biotechnology and chemistry. Her practice includes patent procurement, patent counseling, strategic patent planning, patent portfolio management, and patentability, validity, and non-infringement opinions. She drafts, prosecutes, and provides opinions on patent applications directed to genes, proteins, small molecules, immunotherapeutics, pharmaceutical formulations, nucleic acid amplification and analysis, transgenic animals and plants, disease diagnosis and treatment, microorganism detection, and medical devices.

EXPERIENCE

Becky’s technical experience includes post-doctoral research in plant signal transduction areas at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

AFFILIATIONS

Becky is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Washington State Patent Law Association, and the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association. Becky is admitted to the Washington State Bar (2000) and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark office.

BACKGROUND

Carol Laherty specializes in U.S. and foreign biotechnology intellectual property matters, including patent procurement, licensing, and strategic planning. She earned both a B.S. in Biology and Economics and a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Michigan. She holds a J.D. (with honors) from the University of Washington.

EXPERIENCE

Prior to attending law school, Carol conducted post-doctoral research in the Basic Sciences Division of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, where she also served as a mentor for the Science Education Program. Carol has extensive research experience and has published numerous articles in scientific journals. Among other honors, Carol was elected a Leukemia Society of America Special Fellow and was awarded post-doctoral fellowships from the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society.

AFFILIATIONS

Carol is admitted to the Washington State Bar and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. She is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association, the American Bar Association, and the American Intellectual Property Law Association.

BACKGROUND

Karl Hermanns specializes in chemical-related patent matters, including overall portfolio management and strategy. He graduated with both a B.S. and an M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Washington. He received his J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law.

EXPERIENCE

Karl is an adjunct professor at the University of Washington School of Law, co-teaching the patent preparation and prosecution course, and teaches “Intellectual Property for Scientists” through the Chemistry and Bioengineering Departments. He is also a faculty member of the Center for Advanced Study and Research on Intellectual Property (CASRIP) at the University of Washington School of Law.

AFFILIATIONS

Karl is an Advisory Board Member to the University of Washington Bioengineering’s Program for Technology Commercialization, and a past president of the Intellectual Property Section of the Washington State Bar Association. He is admitted to the Washington State Bar and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth and Federal Circuits, and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Listed in Best Lawyers in America®, 2005-2011.
• Washington Super Lawyers® honoree, 2002-2010.
• Listed in Seattle Metropolitan‘s “Top Lawyers” issue, 2010.
• Top 40 Washington IP Super Lawyers® honoree, 2006-2008.

BACKGROUND

Hai Han specializes in U.S. and foreign chemical and pharmaceutical patent matters with special emphasis on small molecules. Hai received a B.S. in Chemistry from Peking University (China) in 1992 and a Ph.D. in Organic and Physical Organic Chemistry from Brown University (1997). She also conducted post-doctoral research at the Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University (1998). She holds a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law (2003).

EXPERIENCE

During her career as a scientist, Hai combined her specialties in both organic synthesis and spectroscopic techniques to design and synthesize complex electron-transfer molecular assemblies. She then investigated their opto-electronic characteristics. Hai is also experienced in the synthesis of macromolecules, including those with potential utilities as artificial organs, and photo refractive materials for optical signal processing applications. She has authored research articles and presented results at several conferences.

AFFILIATIONS

Hai is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. She is admitted to the Washington State Bar (2003).

BACKGROUND

Bill Christiansen specializes in biotechnology patent matters, with particular emphasis on U.S. and international patent procurement, strategic management of patent portfolios, investment due diligence, early stage company counseling and competitive patent position analysis. He received his B.S. in Biochemistry and Biophysics (with honors) from Oregon State University (1991). After obtaining a Ph.D. in Biochemistry/ Biophysics/Molecular Biology from the University of Notre Dame (1995), for which he won the Graduate School Award in Science and the Rohm and Haas Outstanding Graduate Student Award, Bill then went on to complete his J.D. at the University of Washington School of Law (1998) where he was the Managing Articles and Essays Editor of the Pacific Rim Law & Policy Journal.

EXPERIENCE

Bill has published many legal and scientific articles, has extensive teaching and research experience, and has presented on topics related to intellectual property, as well as his scientific research, at various conferences.

AFFILIATIONS

Bill is admitted to the bar in Washington State (1998) and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Bill’s professional affiliations include the Washington State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Washington State Patent Law Association, the American Intellectual Property Law Association, and the Licensing Executives Society. Bill has been selected as a Washington Law and Politics “Super Lawyer” annually since 2002.