IP Litigation & Enforcement

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:

  • Patent infringement
  • Post-grant proceedings
  • Trademark infringement and dilution
  • Copyright infringement
  • Unfair competition and false advertising
  • Trade secrets
  • Cybersquatting


IP Litigation & Enforcement

Professionals

Bobby B. Soltani

Partner

Partner

Bobby B. Soltani

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).

Alternative Energy| Consumer Products & Services| Electrical Engineering| Electronics & Semiconductors| Medical Devices| Software & Internet| Telecommunications| AI, ML, and Robotics
IP Agreements & Licensing, IP Litigation & Enforcement, Patent, Strategic Counseling, Trade Secrets
Brooke W. Quist

Partner

Partner

Brooke W. Quist

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.

Alternative Energy, Consumer Products & Services, Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Semiconductors, Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Devices, Software & Internet,Telecommunications
Copyright, IP Agreements & Licensing, IP Litigation & Enforcement, Patent, Strategic Counseling, Trade Secrets, Trademark
David V. Carlson

Partner

Partner

David V. Carlson

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.

Alternative Energy, Consumer Products & Services, Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Semiconductors, Medical Devices, Software & Internet
IP Agreements & Licensing, IP Litigation & Enforcement, Patent, Strategic Counseling, Trade Secrets
Duncan Stark

Partner

Partner

Duncan Stark

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.

Consumer Products & Services, Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Devices
Copyright, IP Agreements & Licensing, IP Litigation & Enforcement, Patent, Strategic Counseling, Trade Secrets
E. Russell Tarleton

Senior Partner

Senior Partner

E. Russell Tarleton

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).

Alternative Energy, Consumer Products & Services, Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Semiconductors, Medical Devices, Nanotechnology, Software & Internet, Telecommunications
Copyright, IP Agreements & Licensing, IP Litigation & Enforcement, Patent, Strategic Counseling, Trade Secrets, Trademark
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.

Emily Mae-Yen Ross

Associate

Associate

Emily Mae-Yen Ross

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.

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 a special emphasis on small molecules.

Alternative Energy, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Semiconductors, Medical Devices, Nanotechnology, Pharmaceuticals
IP Litigation & Enforcement, Patent, Strategic Counseling, Trade Secrets
Hyun Kyu (Nathan) Lee

Senior Associate

Senior Associate

Hyun Kyu (Nathan) Lee

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.

Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Semiconductors, Medical Devices, Software & Internet, Telecommunications
IP Agreements & Licensing, IP Litigation & Enforcement, Patent, Strategic Counseling
Jared M. Barrett

Partner

Partner

Jared M. Barrett

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.

Consumer Products & Services,Industrial Design,Mechanical Engineering,Medical Devices
Copyright,IP Litigation & Enforcement,Patent,Strategic Counseling,Trade Secrets,Trademark
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.

Jianping Zhang

Partner

Partner

Jianping Zhang

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.

Alternative Energy, Consumer Products & Services, Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Semiconductors, Nanotechnology, Software & Internet,Telecommunications
IP Agreements & Licensing, IP Litigation & Enforcement, Patent, Strategic Counseling
Kevin S. Costanza

Managing Partner

Managing Partner

Kevin S. Costanza

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.

Consumer Products & Services, Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Devices
Copyright,IP Agreements & Licensing, IP Litigation & Enforcement, Patent, Strategic Counseling, Trade Secrets, Trademark
Marc C. Levy

Of Counsel

Of Counsel

Marc C. Levy

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.





Consumer Products & Services, Software & Internet
Copyright, IP Litigation & Enforcement, Patent, Strategic Counseling, Trade Secrets, Trademark
Michael A. Chernoff

Associate

Associate

Michael A. Chernoff

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.

Michelle M. LeCointe

Partner

Partner

Michelle M. LeCointe

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.

Russell C. Pangborn

Partner

Partner

Russell C. Pangborn

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.

Consumer Products & Services, Electrical Engineering, Pharmaceuticals, Software & Internet, Telecommunications
Copyright, IP Agreements & Licensing, IP Litigation & Enforcement, Strategic Counseling, Trade Secrets, Trademark, Internet Policy & Law
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
Syed M. Abedi

Partner

Partner

Syed M. Abedi

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.


Consumer Products & Services, Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Devices
Copyright, IP Litigation & Enforcement, Patent, Strategic Counseling, Trade Secrets, Trademark, Internet Policy & Law
Timothy L. Boller

Partner

Partner

Timothy L. Boller

Tim Boller's practice focuses on electrical patent prosecution and intellectual property litigation. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering (1986) and received a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center (1994).

Alternative Energy, Consumer Products & Services, Electrical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Software & Internet, Telecommunications
IP Agreements & Licensing, IP Litigation & Enforcement, Mediation, Patent, Strategic Counseling, Trade Secrets
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.

Toshiko Takenaka, Ph.D.

Of Counsel

Of Counsel

Toshiko Takenaka, Ph.D.

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.

Consumer Products & Services, Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Semiconductors, Medical Devices
IP Litigation & Enforcement, Patent, Strategic Counseling, Trade Secrets, Trademark
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Hayley J. Talbert

Seed IP partner Hayley Talbert to attend American Intellectual Property Law Association's 2024 Spring Meeting | May 16-18, 2024

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Kevin S. Costanza

Seed IP Law Group ranked in Tier 1 on Best Law Firms list for 2024

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Jeffrey M. Sakoi

Four Seed IP partners named ‘IP STARS’ by Managing Intellectual Property in 2023

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Kevin S. Costanza

Seed IP named highly recommended law firm by Managing Intellectual Property’s ‘IP STARS’ for 2023