Seed IP has extensive experience implementing comprehensive strategies that protect innovations in the alternative energy industry. We collaborate closely with clients to develop creative solutions that align their intellectual property with their business objectives. The breadth of our technical expertise, along with our dedication to protecting IP assets, makes our professionals the ideal partner for your company.
Our alternative energy expertise:
Karen Henckel's practice focuses on patent preparation and prosecution in the mechanical and electro-mechanical arts. Karen also counsels clients in other intellectual property law areas, including opinions, agreements, and licensing. She received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington and a J.D. from Arizona State University.
Senior Patent Agent
Baha's practice focuses on electrical/electronic engineering and software patent procurement, and patent analysis, and due diligence matters. He received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering (2002) from Temple University and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering (2005) from Villanova University. He was honored as Valedictorian of the College of Engineering at Temple University.
Partner
Bobby's practice focuses on the U.S. and foreign patent prosecution of electrical engineering and computer software matters and patent litigation, infringement opinions, licensing, and strategic portfolio management. He received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma (2001), and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Oklahoma State University (2003). Bobby holds a J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law (2007).
Associate
Brad's practice focuses on the U.S. and foreign patent prosecution of mechanical-related technologies and trademark prosecution across all industry groups. He received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington in 2013, focusing on structural engineering. He was awarded a J.D. (with Honors) from the University of Washington School of Law in 2017.
Partner
Brooke Quist's practice focuses on domestic and foreign intellectual property, including patent preparation and prosecution, litigation, preparation of patent invalidity and non-infringement opinions, client counseling, strategic portfolio development, due diligence investigations, and licensing, as well as other transactional intellectual property matters.
Brooke counsels clients in patent law, trademark law, copyright law, and related intellectual property matters. He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California in 1992 and his J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in 1997.
Of Counsel
David's practice focuses on 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 (emphasizing 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.
Partner
Chair of the Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Group
David's practice focuses on electrical, software, and mechanical patent matters, including obtaining, licensing, and litigating patents. He has a great deal of practical experience providing strategic planning to protect a client's technology. He can prepare a strategy to assist your company in obtaining patent coverage on your key inventions. If you need to enforce these patents or defend a lawsuit against your company, he has extensive experience assisting companies protecting themselves and their IP.
Partner
Duncan’s practice focuses on the U.S. and foreign patent prosecution of mechanical-related technologies, including medical devices and consumer products. He received a B.S. (summa cum laude) in Civil Engineering in 2008 and an M.S. in Civil Engineering in 2009, both from Oregon State University. Duncan also holds a J.D. with High Honors and Order of the Coif from the University of Washington School of Law in 2012.
Senior Partner
Russ Tarleton has assisted clients in the procurement and enforcement of patents, trademarks, and copyrights for almost 30 years. 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.
Russ 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). Russ received his Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington (1998).
Partner
Jeff's practice is focused on 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 alternative energy, energy distribution, green technology, semiconductor, wired and wireless communication, transportation, chemical, and medical device 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.
Of Counsel
Jessica is an experienced IP attorney with a broad technical background in both the physical and life sciences. She is experienced in all phases of patent portfolio management with particular expertise in the assessment of patent portfolio strengths and weaknesses, technology transactions, and patent disputes within the pharmaceutical industry. Jessica received an M.S. in Biology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2006, and a B.S. in Physics from University of Utah in 2002.She received her J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2010.
Partner
Recognized in both the U.S. and China as a patent attorney, Jianping helps clients on all aspects of worldwide patent portfolio development and monetization, including drafting and prosecuting patents and preparing opinions on patent infringement validity. His practice focuses on electrical and electronic arts, including digital/analog circuitry, MEMS, R.F., telecommunications, data/signal processing, semiconductors, software, and electrical devices.
In 1992, Jianping earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Beijing Institute of Technology (Beijing, China). He received an L.L.M. from China University of Political Science and Law (Beijing, China) in 1999. Jianping received an M.A. in Criminal Justice from University at Albany (Albany, NY) in 2002. He then received his J.D. (cum laude) from Albany Law School (Albany, NY) in 2005.
Partner
John's practice focuses on patent prosecution in the electrical and mechanical arts. He received an M.T.M. in Technology Management from Stevens Institute of Technology (2001), an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Monmouth University (1995), and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Rutgers University (1990). John earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University (2007).
Partner
Justin Coe's practice focuses on the U.S. and foreign patent prosecution of electrical engineering, electronics, and computer software matters, including patent procurement, prosecution, and strategic portfolio management. He received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Portland State University in 2007, and a J.D. from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law in 2010.
Partner
Karen Henckel's practice focuses on patent preparation and prosecution in the mechanical and electro-mechanical arts. Karen also counsels clients in other intellectual property law areas, including opinions, agreements, and licensing. She received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington and a J.D. from Arizona State University.
Partner
Karl R. Hermanns' practice focuses on pharmaceutical and biotechnology patent matters, emphasizing strategic management of patent portfolios, early-stage company counseling, investment due diligence, and competitive patent analysis. He graduated with both a B.S. and an M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Washington and received his J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law.
Partner
Kevan's practice is focused on the U.S. and foreign patent prosecution of electrical engineering and computer software matters, including IP agreements and licensing, and strategic portfolio management. He received a B.S. (magna cum laude in Electrical Engineering from Utah State University (1993), and a B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Utah State University (1993), with minors in History and Portuguese. Kevan holds a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law (1996).
Technical Advisor
Mehdi's practice focuses on the U.S. and foreign patent preparation and prosecution in electrical engineering, semiconductor, and photonic systems. He received a Ph.D. (2020) from University of Illinois at Chicago, an M.Sc. (2013) from Tarbiat Modares University (Tehran), and a B.Sc.(2010) from Shahid Rajaei University (Tehran), all in Electrical Engineering.
Of Counsel
Michelle LeCointe's practice centers on U.S. and international IP strategies and patent procurement as well as IP agreements for a broad array of technologies, with a focus on pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical devices, and rechargeable batteries. She also has substantial experience in corporate IP due diligence, U.S. and international post-grant contested proceedings, non-infringement and invalidity opinions, and patent litigation.
Michelle received a B.A. (magna cum laude) in Biochemical Sciences from Harvard University, in 1997. She received her J.D. from Columbia Law School, as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, in 2000.
Partner
Sam has expertise in U.S. and international patent matters pertaining to life science, chemical, and medical device technologies. Before joining Seed IP, Sam was a partner at Stoel Rives LLP (2006-2014) and served as senior intellectual property counsel at NPS Pharmaceuticals in Salt Lake City, Utah (2004-2006), as a patent attorney at Johnson & Johnson/ALZA Corp. in Mountain View, California (2001-2004), and as a patent agent and associate patent attorney at Task Britt in Salt Lake City (1998-2001).
Senior Associate
Michelle's practice is focused on patent procurement, licensing, and strategic intellectual property portfolio management in electrical and chemical matters.
Examples of expertise include semiconductors, materials science, batteries, electronics, optoelectronics, medical devices, nanotechnology, polymers, organic chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Michelle has successfully drafted and prosecuted numerous patent applications of U.S. and international patent matters for clients ranging from small startups to large global corporations.
She received a B.S. in Polymer Chemistry from Sichuan University (1992), an M.S. in Polymer Chemistry and Physics from Jilin University (1995), a second M.S. in Organic Chemistry from Northeastern University (1999), and a Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering/Nanotechnology from University of Washington (2003). Michelle holds a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law (2011).
Partner
Syed’s practice focuses on U.S. and international patent and trademark prosecution, enforcement, licensing and litigation matters. He received a B.Eng in Aerospace Engineering from Ryerson University and a M.Eng. in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where his graduate research focused on acoustic emissions monitoring of space shuttle external tanks. Syed earned his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law (2012), where he served as a judicial extern to Honorable Thomas S. Zilly, US District Court, Western District of Washington. Syed graduated magna cum laude.
Partner
Of Counsel
Tyler’s practice focuses on patent matters pertaining to electrical, mechanical, and software technologies, including developing global patent portfolios and evaluating patent portfolios in support of litigation and licensing activities. He has a passion for deeply understanding his client’s technology and partnering with them to develop strong and enforceable patent portfolios that support their business objectives.
Tyler has a decade of prior engineering experience in hardware and software development. He is a named inventor on over 65 U.S. patents and was previously an Affiliate Assistant Professor in the Electrical Engineering Department at the University of Washington.