Seed Intellectual Property Law Group PLLC

BACKGROUND

Karen specializes in preparing and prosecuting patent applications over a broad range of mechanical and electro-mechanical technologies.  Karen also counsels clients in other areas of intellectual property law including validity and infringement analysis, agreements, and technology licensing. She received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from University of Washington and a J.D. from the Arizona State University.

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining Seed IP Law Group, Karen practiced at two Seattle law firms, counseling clients regarding intellectual property rights with a focus on patent prosecution.  Prior to her legal experience, Karen was a semiconductor process engineer for four years at Motorola Inc.  Karen also has broad engineering experience from various manufacturing engineering internships.

AFFILIATIONS

Karen is admitted to the Washington State Bar and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. She is a member Washington State Patent Law Association and the King County Bar Association.

BACKGROUND

Chris specializes in mechanical patent prosecution, trademark clearance and registration, intellectual property licensing, and IP enforcement and litigation matters. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University (2000) and a J.D. from the Washington & Lee University School of Law (2006).

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining Seed IP Law Group, Chris gained extensive experience at a large, Washington, D.C. area law firm preparing and prosecuting patent applications, including several successfully argued appeals before the U.S.P.T.O. Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences. His experience includes counseling clients with patentability, infringement and non-infringement opinions, and representing clients in both ex parte and inters partes reexamination proceedings. Chris’ diverse technical experience includes automotive technologies, semiconductor processing equipment, medical devices, aerospace technologies, and consumer products. In the summer of 2005, Chris served as a summer law clerk in the Office of Unfair Import Investigations at the International Trade Commission, where he supported Section 337 intellectual property litigation.

AFFILIATIONS

Chris is admitted to the Virginia State Bar, is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and is admitted to practice before the Unites States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Chris currently serves as a Member of Council of the Intellectual Property Law Section of the American Bar Association (ABA-IPL). Within the ABA-IPL, he has also served as the Chair of the Patent and Trademark Office Affairs Committee – Patents (2010-2011), Chair of the Young Lawyers Committee (2008-2010), and as a Member of the Editorial Board of Landslide (2008-2010). Chris is also a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Washington State Patent Law Association, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

BACKGROUND

Fearon specializes in software patent prosecution and intellectual property enforcement. He received an M.S. in Computer Science (1991) and a B.S. in Human Development (1988), both from Vanderbilt University. Fearon obtained an M.B.A. from Seattle University in 1999. He received his J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law in 2008.

EXPERIENCE

Fearon’s practice focuses on patent prosecution and strategic counseling, including patent drafting, prosecution, and procurement of U.S. and foreign patents in software and Internet technologies. Prior to joining Seed IP, Fearon’s professional experience included twelve years working at Microsoft Corporation where he was a program manager of internal financial software. More recently, Fearon worked at an area law firm for three years, litigating patent, trademark, trade secret, and intellectual property ownership disputes. While in law school, Fearon served as an extern at the King County Superior Court and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, an intern at the Seattle City Attorney’s Office, and a summer clerk with the Ninth Circuit Mediation Program.  Fearon has also served as a volunteer mediator with the King County Dispute Resolution Center.

AFFILIATIONS

Fearon is admitted to the Washington State Bar and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, and U.S. Court of International Trade. Fearon is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association and the William L. Dwyer American Inn of Court.

BACKGROUND

Mike specializes in software and electronic patent procurement, strategic counseling, and intellectual property agreements and licensing matters. He received a M.S. in Electrical Engineering (1995) from The John Hopkins University, and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering (1987) from the University of Maryland. Mike received his J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center in 2007.

EXPERIENCE

Mike specializes in patent prosecution and counseling, including patent drafting, prosecution, and procurement of U.S. and foreign patents in the fields of software and Internet, electronics and semiconductors, electrical engineering, RFID, LCD, and mechanical technologies. Prior to joining Seed IP, Mike’s professional experience included working for several years at the Hewlett-Packard Company as Intellectual Property Counsel. While at HP, Mike prepared and prosecuted US and PCT patent applications in a multitude of practice areas, including board and system level hardware, streaming media, audio/video signal processing, 3D displays, touch displays, optical devices, computer hardware and software, networking, video conferencing, and business methods. He also has previous patent prosecution experience in the fields of electrical & downhole tool instrumentation, chemical and chemical processing, and mechanical matters. Prior to his years at HP, Mike worked eight years as a Project Manager at PORI International, 11 years as Project and Plant Manager at Borden Chemical/Hexion Specialty Chemicals, and was Project/Plant Manager at Texas Petrochemicals, LP, for almost two years. During this time, he oversaw project development and construction management for multiple water treatment and waste oil processing facilities, construction and operations management for a hydrocarbon processing facility, as well as plant management, maintenance, staffing, and safety and compliance.

AFFILIATIONS

Mike is admitted to the Texas State Bar and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is a Registered Maryland Professional Engineer. Michael is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association.

BACKGROUND

Jamey specializes in foreign and domestic electrical, electronic and computer science matters, including patent procurement, licensing, and strategic portfolio management, as well as trademark procurement. Jamey received a J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law (1998), a B.S. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Oregon State University (2001), and holds B.A. degrees in both English Literature and Theater from Whitman College (1993).

EXPERIENCE

Jamey’s patent protection expertise includes hardware, software, and mechanical technologies that have encompassed such areas as media distribution, digital rights management, e-commerce, semiconductor fabrication, storage devices and arrays, data bus architecture, medical defibrillation and ventilator equipment, and wireless communications.  Aside from years of experience in drafting and prosecuting patent applications, Jamey’s professional experience includes leading a team charged with designing and developing a software protocol based on XML and SOAP for IrDA-compliant devices.  In addition, he served for several years as an MCLE Analyst for the Washington State Bar Association, auditing CLE programs to ensure the quality and correct accreditation of educational material for Washington lawyers in all practice areas.  In addition to patent prosecution, Jamey has experience with the preparation and prosecution of trademark applications and counsels clients on strategic development of their domestic and international intellectual property portfolios.

AFFILIATIONS

Jamey 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.

BACKGROUND

Vladimir received a M.S. in Electrical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications from Moscow Transport University in Moscow, Russia. He obtained an International Business Certificate from the University of Washington Business School in 1998. Vladimir received his J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law in 2007, in the Intellectual Property Law Concentration Track.

EXPERIENCE

Vladimir specializes in patent prosecution and counseling, including patent drafting, prosecution, and procurement of U.S. and foreign patents in the fields of telecommunications, electrical engineering, electronics, Internet, RFID, LCD, software, and mechanical technologies. Prior to joining Seed IP, Vladimir’s professional experience included working as an assistant professor and researcher at Moscow Transport University, where he conducted research and development on automatic control systems on railroads and fuel economy for diesel locomotives. He also taught graduate-level courses on electrical engineering, automation and telecommunications. Vladimir also worked as a Senior Business and Functional Analyst at AT&T Wireless Services in Seattle, WA for four years, where he created functional, security, and performance documentation for software applications. He also produced system requirements including data modeling and data flow diagrams. Vladimir has many years of experience of patent prosecution and counseling, including patent drafting, prosecution, and procurement of U.S. and foreign patents in multiple technical fields.  He has prepared patent infringement and validity opinions, responses to Office Actions, appeal briefs, broadening reissue, divisional, and continuation applications for patent families. Vladimir also has experience conducting due diligence and post-allowance issues.

Vladimir has authored or co-authored several publications in peer-reviewed technical journals, published in the U.S. and Russia.

AFFILIATIONS

Vladimir 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 King County Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section.

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 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.

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.

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Listed in Best Lawyers in America®, 2007-2012.
• Washington Super Lawyers® honoree, 2004-2011.
• Washington’s Most Amazing Attorneys® honoree, 2006.

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 a 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.

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Washington Super Lawyers® honoree, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2010 & 2011.

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

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®, 1991-2012.
• Best Lawyers® Seattle Lawyer of the Year – Intellectual Property Law, 2010.
• Washington Super Lawyers® honoree, 1998-2011.
• Listed in Seattle Metropolitan’s “Top Lawyers” issue, 2010.
• Top 40 Washington IP Super Lawyers® honoree, 2006-2008.
• Washington’s Most Amazing Attorneys® honoree, 2006.

BACKGROUND

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

Lorraine 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.

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, 2012.
• 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 5+ years as a Scoutmaster and Asst Scoutmaster, with Habitat for Humanity (Cambodia in 2010), and teaching at Cambodian Children’s Fund facilities in Phnom Penh (2011).

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

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, 2012.
• 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.
• Washington’s Most Amazing Attorneys® honoree, 2006.
• 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.

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Listed in Best Lawyers in America®, 2010-2012.
• Washington Super Lawyers® honoree, 2005.

 

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

Richard Sharkey specializes in U.S. and international patent matters pertaining to biotechnology and chemistry. His practice of more than twenty-four years is directed primarily toward client counseling, including providing patentability, validity and infringement opinions, and patenting and licensing technology. Richard has counseled on intellectual property matters a number of companies, inside and outside the Northwest, from their inception. One such example is GlycoMimetics, Inc., which was founded in May 2003 and in October 2011 successfully licensed its first lead compound (a therapeutic drug in Phase II clinical trials) and a portion of its patent estate to Pfizer Inc. Richard received an A.B. (cum laude) in Biology from Washington University in St. Louis (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. Richard is a senior member of Seed IP and a former member of the Management Committee.

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®, 2005-2012.
• Washington Super Lawyers® honoree, 2004-2011.
• Listed in Seattle Metropolitan’s “Top Lawyers” issue, 2010.
• Top 40 Washington IP Super Lawyers® honoree, 2006 & 2008.
• Washington’s Most Amazing Attorneys® honoree, 2006.

 

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).

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Listed in Best Lawyers in America®, 2010-2012.
• Washington Super Lawyers® honoree, 2003 & 2005.
• Washington’s Most Amazing Attorneys® honoree, 2006.

BACKGROUND

Becky’s technical background includes 15 years of research and study in biological sciences. She earned a B.S. in Cell Biology at Lanzhou University (China), an M.S. in Plant Physiology at the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology at the University of Missouri-Columbia where she was awarded a Molecular Biology Fellowship. She also worked as a research scientist at the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and conducted post-doctoral research in plant signal transduction at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Becky received her J.D. with honors at the University of Washington and was an editor for the University of Washington Law Review.

EXPERIENCE

Becky helps biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies (including U.S., European and Chinese companies) obtain strategic patent protection for their technologies, minimize patent infringement risks, and facilitate their research collaboration or merger and acquisition activities. She drafts and prosecutes patent applications related to various technologies, such as immunotherapeutics, proteins, genes, small molecules, pharmaceutical compositions, disease diagnosis and treatment, nucleic acid analysis, medical devices, and transgenic animals and plants. She also provides patentability, validity and non-infringement analyses and opinions in these areas. She lectured on U.S. patent practice in Chinese Intellectual Property Training Center in Beijing. She has written articles on topics in patent law, including doctrine of equivalents, enablement and double patenting.

AFFILIATIONS

Becky 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 Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Washington State Patent Law Association, the Washington Biomedical and Biotechnology Association, and a member of the BayHelix group, an organization of leaders of Chinese heritage in the global life sciences and healthcare community.

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®, 2005-2012.
• Washington Super Lawyers® honoree, 2002-2011.
• Listed in Seattle Metropolitan‘s “Top Lawyers” issue, 2010.
• Top 40 Washington IP Super Lawyers® honoree, 2006-2008.
• Washington’s Most Amazing Attorneys® honoree, 2006.

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).