At Seed IP, intellectual property is all we do. In fact, we have been handling intellectual property disputes for over 60 years. So when our clients come to us to handle a dispute, they know they benefit directly from our exceptional depth of experience in this area.
We regularly represent clients in litigation matters involving all areas of intellectual property. Our team includes experienced trial attorneys who appear on behalf of clients in courts throughout the country, including at both the trial and appellate level. We also routinely handle matters at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, including proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). We have an experienced and dedicated PTAB team that handles post-grant proceedings before the PTAB, including Inter Partes Reviews (IPR). Our PTAB team draws on vast technical knowledge of our patent prosecution professionals and experienced IP litigators to successfully handle post-grant proceedings before the PTAB. Having handled many post-grant proceedings, including a number of IPRs, our PTAB team can counsel clients on strategic considerations of navigating through PTAB trials. While we are always prepared to see a matter through to a final verdict, we also understand that our clients’ objectives may be best served by alternative resolutions, such as early settlement, arbitration or mediation.
Indeed, our strength lies in our ability to use small, focused teams of attorneys who work closely with our clients to develop an in-depth understanding of their business and litigation needs. This approach not only allows for more streamlined litigation management and decision-making to help us achieve optimal results for our clients, but also keeps expenses down. Our lawyers collaborate in ways that increase efficiency and value, not costs. We have over 50 patent attorneys and agents, nearly half of whom have advanced degrees, covering a full spectrum of technical backgrounds ranging from electrical and mechanical engineering to biochemistry and immunology. This gives us the technical depth and resources to effectively develop strategies and arguments that our clients need to win their cases.
Our litigation attorneys are dedicated to providing the highest level of representation for our clients and delivering exceptional value in handling their intellectual property disputes.
Our intellectual property litigation & enforcement expertise:
Marc C. Levy’s practice focuses on intellectual property litigation and disputes including trademark, copyright, and patent litigation. Marc’s litigation and trial experience extends to numerous federal courts across the country. Marc received his J.D. cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1989 and his A.B. in Philosophy from the University of California Berkeley in 1986. Marc is admitted in Washington and Colorado and many federal district and appellate courts.
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).
Partner
Brooke's practice focuses on strategic intellectual property counseling and portfolio development, patent procurement, due diligence investigations, enforcement, and licensing, as well as other transactional intellectual property matters.
Brooke counsels clients in various aspects of 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.
Partner
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).
Associate
Emily focuses her practice on IP litigation and enforcement, as well as patent prosecution, in a variety of technology areas. Emily received her J.D. from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in 2021, where she was heavily involved with the IP community and secured asylum for four children through the Bluhm Legal Clinic’s Children and Family Justice Center. She received a B.S. (with distinction) in Engineering from Harvey Mudd College in 2014.
Partner
Jared Barrett has extensive experience in trademark and mechanical-related patent matters, including portfolio management and strategy. 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.
Senior 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.
Managing Partner
Kevin Costanza's practice focuses on 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 on mechanical engineering and material sciences. Kevin received his J.D. (cum laude) from Seattle University School of Law in 1995.
Of Counsel
Marc C. Levy’s practice focuses on intellectual property litigation and disputes including trademark, copyright, and patent litigation. Marc’s litigation and trial experience extends to numerous federal courts across the country. Marc received his J.D. cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1989 and his A.B. in Philosophy from the University of California Berkeley in 1986. Marc is admitted in Washington and Colorado and many federal district and appellate courts.
Associate
Mike focuses his practice on patent prosecution in the mechanical engineering sector. He earned a B.S. (magna cum laude) in Mechanical Engineering, and a minor in Aeronautical Engineering, from Trine University in Angola, Indiana, in 2016. Mike received his J.D. (cum laude) from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 2021.
Partner
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.
Associate
Nathan Lee's practice focuses on patent prosecution of technologies related to electrical engineering and computer science. He received a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Seoul National University in 2008 and earned his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Korea National Open University in 2014. Nathan received his Master of Laws (LL.M.) from UC Berkeley School of Law.
Partner
Russ' practice focuses on trademark and technology law, including strategic trademark and copyright counseling, trade secrets, Internet policy, unfair competition, domain name strategy, and disputes, trademark prosecution and maintenance, licensing, enforcement and litigation. He received his A.B. in Psychology from Stanford University and his J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
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, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington. Syed graduated magna cum laude.
Associate
Tayah focuses her practice on IP defense, enforcement, and litigation matters, with a focus on trademark and copyright matters. She received her J.D. (cum laude) from University of Georgia School of Law in 2017. Tayah earned a B.S. (magna cum laude) in Accounting from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2013.
Partner
Senior Associate
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.
Of Counsel
Toshiko Takenaka's practice focuses on domestic and foreign intellectual property matters. She counsels clients in various aspects of patent law and trademark law, litigation, and intellectual property matters. Toshiko received her LL.B. from Seikei University-Tokyo in 1981. She received her LL.M. in 1990 and Ph.D. in Comparative Law in 1992 from the University of Washington School of Law.