Effective January 1, 2026, Toby Ligon, Shi (Michelle) Liu, Ph.D., and Bradley Zentz were elected to partnership at Seed IP Law Group LLP.

Toby previously served for over eight, non-consecutive years as Associate/Senior Associate in the firm’s Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals & Chemistry Group. He focuses his practice on 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.

Learn more about Toby Ligon.

Michelle previously served for nearly seven years as Associate/Senior Associate in the firm’s Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals & Chemistry Group. Her practice focuses on patent prosecution, global portfolio management, and strategic counseling on patentability, freedom to operate, and patent landscape analysis in the electrical, chemical, and materials fields. Michelle received a Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering/Nanotechnology from University of Washington (2003) and a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law (2011).

Learn more about Shi (Michelle) Liu, Ph.D.

Bradley previously served for eight years as Associate and Senior Associate in the firm’s Mechanical Engineering and Trademark Groups. His practice focuses on U.S. and foreign patent clearance, prosecution, and enforcement of mechanical-related technologies and domestic and international trademark procurement. Brad 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.

Learn more about Bradley Zentz.

Seed IP congratulates Toby, Michelle, and Brad on being promoted to partner!

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