Chemistry

New chemical compounds, innovative chemical combinations, and breakthrough formulations are the foundation of emerging technologies and medicine. Whether your company has new ideas in energy, food, pharmaceuticals, materials or other technologies, we can help protect your innovation. Our professionals, many with advanced degrees in chemistry, understand the nuances of protecting IP in this field. From filing patent applications to strategic management of patent portfolios, we guide our clients through every step of the process.

Our Chemistry expertise:

  • Organic chemistry
  • Analytical chemistry
  • Chemical engineering
  • Biochemistry
  • Material science


Chemistry

Professionals

Christopher D. Bayne

Senior Associate

Senior Associate

Christopher D. Bayne

Christopher has over 13 years of experience as a patent professional representing clients primarily in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and material technology sectors. He focuses his practice on patent preparation and prosecution, global portfolio strategy and management, and providing legal opinions. In 1996, Chris received his M.S. in Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where his research focused on the design and synthesis of self-complimentary molecules capable of molecular self-assembly. Chris also practiced as a business litigator in Honolulu, Hawaii, upon receiving his J.D. from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai´i (Mānoa) in 2009. He received a B.S. in Chemistry from California State University in 1994. Chris served in the United States Navy as a nuclear propulsion plant operator aboard an Ohio-class submarine.

Emily (Emma) Elder

Associate

Associate

Emily (Emma) Elder

Emma focuses her practice on trademark prosecution, copyright matters, and intellectual property licensing and enforcement. She earned a B.S. (magna cum laude) in Biochemistry from University of Puget Sound in 2018. Emma received her J.D. from University of Washington School of Law in 2023.

Eric A. Harwood, Ph.D.

Partner

Partner

Eric A. Harwood, Ph.D.

Eric Harwood is the Chair of Seed’s Chemistry and Biotechnology Group. His practice focuses on chemical, pharmaceutical, and life science patent prosecution, strategy, and diligence matters. Eric earned a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of California at Davis (summa cum laude), and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Organic Chemistry from the University of Washington in Seattle. He received a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law, where he now serves as an Adjunct Professor.

Biotechnology, Chemistry, Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals
Patent, Strategic Counseling, Trade Secrets
Hai Han, Ph.D.

Partner

Partner

Hai Han, Ph.D.

Hai Han focuses her practice on U.S. and foreign chemical and pharmaceutical patent matters with special emphasis on small molecules. She’s trusted by her clients for her valuable insights as a strategic counselor, for IP management and patent procurement.  

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) and holds a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law (2003).

Alternative Energy, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Semiconductors, Medical Devices, Nanotechnology, Pharmaceuticals
IP Litigation & Enforcement, Patent, Strategic Counseling, Trade Secrets
Jeffrey M. Sakoi

Senior Partner

Senior Partner

Jeffrey M. Sakoi

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.

Alternative Energy, Chemistry, Consumer Products & Services, Electronics & Semiconductors, Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Devices, Nanotechnology,Telecommunications
IP Agreements & Licensing, IP Litigation & Enforcement, Patent,Strategic Counseling, Trade Secrets
Jessica S. Gritton

Of Counsel

Of Counsel

Jessica S. Gritton

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.

Karl R. Hermanns

Partner

Partner

Karl R. Hermanns

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.

Alternative Energy, Chemistry, Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals
IP Agreements & Licensing, Patent, Strategic Counseling, Trade Secrets
Kazuya (Kaz) Toyama, Ph.D.

Senior Patent Agent

Senior Patent Agent

Kazuya (Kaz) Toyama, Ph.D.

Kaz focuses his practice on chemistry and organic chemistry matters. Kaz received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2016, and a B.S. (cum laude) in Chemistry from St. Francis College in 2007.

Michael P. Cooper

Partner

Partner

Michael P. Cooper

Michael's practice is focused on U.S. and foreign patent prosecution of chemistry and biotechnology matters, and related litigation matters.

Alternative Energy, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Pharmaceuticals
IP Agreements & Licensing, Patent, Strategic Counseling, Trade Secrets
Michelle M. LeCointe

Partner

Partner

Michelle M. LeCointe

Michelle LeCointe focuses her practice on U.S. and international IP transactions, strategies, and patent procurement. She has a wealth of experience in a broad array of technologies including pharmaceuticals, biologics, protein therapeutics and antibodies, medical devices, medical diagnostics and research materials, manufacturing processes, as well as lithium and sodium ion rechargeable batteries. She frequently counsels clients on IP agreements, corporate IP due diligence, U.S. and international patent applications, 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.

Shi (Michelle) Liu, Ph.D.

Senior Associate

Senior Associate

Shi (Michelle) Liu, Ph.D.

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).

Alternative Energy,Biotechnology,Chemistry,Electrical Engineering,Electronics & Semiconductors,Medical Devices,Nanotechnology,Pharmaceuticals
IP Litigation & Enforcement, Patent, Strategic Counseling, Trade Secrets
Tessa McClure

Patent Agent

Patent Agent

Tessa McClure

Tessa focuses her practice on U.S. patent prosecution in the life sciences sector and electrical engineering. She earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of Washington in 2014.

Toby J. Ligon

Senior Associate

Senior Associate

Toby J. Ligon

Toby specializes in patent prosecution of chemistry, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical matters. Toby received his B.S. (2007) and M.S. (2009) degrees, both in Chemistry, from Western Washington University. Toby received his J.D. cum laude from Seattle University School of Law in 2016, where he was honored with the Presidential Scholarship Award and the Washington State Bar Association Intellectual Property Scholarship Award, and made the Dean’s List.

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