Seed IP’s goal is to provide our clients with the strongest possible intellectual property protection while developing and maintaining long-term relationships. Our knowledge of the law, technology, and understanding of your business means you will receive a comprehensive perspective, with the best service available. We work with domestic and international clients across all industries and have prepared thousands of patents protecting our clients’ intellectual property. We also have an experienced team of patent litigators who are available to defend your patents against any possible infringement.
We provide a full range of patent law services, including:
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.
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.
Associate
Bilal focuses his practice on patent preparation and prosecution of software and internet technology matters. He received his B.S. (magna cum laude) in Computer Science from North Central College (2016) and his J.D. (cum laude) from the University of Illinois College of Law (2019). While attending the University of Illinois College of Law, Bilal received the Joseph M. Barich Excellence in Patent Law Award and the Rickert Award for Excellence in Legal Writing, both in 2019.
Senior Associate
Blake's practice focuses on the U.S. and foreign patent prosecution of electrical engineering and computer software matters. He received an M.S. (2009) and a B.S. (2006) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington. Blake was awarded a J.D. (magna cum laude) from Seattle University School of Law in 2015, where he served as Associate Editor for the Seattle University Law Review. Blake also received the National Order of Scribes Award for Excellence in Legal Writing and the CALI Award for Legal Writing.
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 focuses her practice on the U.S. and foreign biotechnology patent matters, including patent procurement, licensing, and strategic portfolio management. She received a B.S. (summa cum laude) in Biology from the University of South Florida (2000) and a Ph.D. in Biology (with distinction) from Georgetown University (2005). Brooke was awarded a J.D. with High Honors and Order of the Coif from the University of Washington School of Law (2014).
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.
Senior Partner
Carol J. Roth's practice focuses on the U.S. and international pharmaceutical, chemical patent matters, including patent procurement and strategic management of intellectual property portfolios. She holds a J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law (1987) and received her B.S. in Zoology (magna cum laude) from Southeast Missouri State University (1977)
Partner
Chandra received her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 2004, and earned B.A.s in Biology and Spanish from Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1998. Before law school, Chandra was a research assistant with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (Biology & Biotechnology Research Program) and a research and development assistant with a pharmaceutical company making recombinant protein therapeutics.
Senior Associate
Daniel’s practice includes the preparation and prosecution of patent applications in biotechnology and other life sciences. He has a technical background in microbiology, cancer biology, cell biology, molecular biology, immunology, genetics, and biochemistry. Daniel received a B.S. (magna cum laude) from Middle Tennessee State University and a Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He holds a J.D. (cum laude) from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where he earned a Law and Technology concentration with honors and served as president of the Student Intellectual Property Law Association.
Technical Advisor
David Bolstad's practice focuses on U.S. and foreign chemical and pharmaceutical patent matters. He earned degrees in Chemistry (B.S.) and Biology (B.A.) from Central Washington University (summa cum laude, 2001) and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Montana (2006). David spent two years as a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Connecticut before beginning an independent research career as an assistant professor at the University of Montana.
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
Eileen Sun's practice focuses on patent preparation, prosecution, and portfolio management for companies in the biotechnology sector, including immunotherapeutics, peptide therapeutics, antisense therapeutics, vaccines, molecular diagnostics, metabolic engineering of microorganisms, and drug formulations. She also assists clients in freedom-to-operate and patentability analyses for products in development and intellectual property due diligence.
Partner
Eric Harwood's 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.
Associate
Glenda's practice is focused on U.S. and foreign patent prosecution of biotechnology, chemistry, and pharmaceutical technologies.
Glenda received a B.A. in Biochemistry-Molecular Biology from University of California Santa Barbara with High Honors and Distinction in the Major (1990). She earned a M.S. in Biological Sciences from Carnegie Mellon University (1994), having completed a research project relating to transposons in the green algae Chlamydomonas. Glenda received her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law in 2014. While at UW, Glenda was awarded the Seed IP Law Group Founders’ Scholarship for excellence in intellectual property law.
Partner
Hayley devotes her time to strategic intellectual property counseling in the electrical, software, and mechanical arts, focusing on efficient and effective patent prosecution. She received a B.S. (cum laude) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida (2004) and a J.D. from Willamette University College of Law (2008).
Patent Agent
Hemant focuses his practice on patent preparation and prosecution of chemical and pharmaceutical matters. He received a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Michigan (2002), an M.S. in Organic Chemistry from Brandeis University (1994), and a B.Sc. (with Honors) in Chemistry from Delhi University (1992).
Technical Advisor
Janaki focuses her practice on patent preparation and prosecution of biotechnology and pharmaceutical matters. She received her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from Temple University School of Medicine in 2018 and a B.S. in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics from the University of Maryland in 2007.
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.
Associate
Javier Mixco’s practice focuses on biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device patent matters, including patent procurement, licensing, and strategic portfolio management. Before joining Seed IP, Javier was an associate at three other U.S. law firms focusing on patent preparation and prosecution. While in law school, Javier served as Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review. He was also a judicial extern at the Utah Supreme Court for Justice Matthew B. Durrant and the U.S. District Court, District of Utah, for Judge Dee Benson.
Partner
Jeff focuses his practice on IP enforcement, defense, and litigation matters across all industry groups. In 1999, he received a Bachelor in Electrical Engineering with Highest Honors from Georgia Institute of Technology, where he focused his studies on communication networks and signal processing. Jeff received an M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley in 2001, where he focused his studies and research on communication networks. He was awarded his J.D. from the University of California - Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) in 2005.
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.
Associate
Jeong Hee focuses his practice on patent prosecution in electrical engineering and computer-related matters. He received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology (2007), and his J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law (2018).
Of Counsel
Recognized in both the U.S. and China as a patent attorney, Jianping helps clients on all aspects of W.W. 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
Jim's practice focuses on patent procurement, prosecution, licensing, and strategic intellectual property portfolio management in software and computer-related matters. Examples of expertise include web-based and mobile systems, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, augmented and virtual reality, digital video, and wireless communication systems. Jim has successfully handled hundreds of U.S. and international patent matters for clients ranging from small startups to large global corporations. He received a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Portland (1996) and holds a J.D. from Willamette University College of Law (2000), where he received the Dean's High Paper Award in Patent Law and Policy.
Partner
John Morgan's practice is focused on biotechnology patent prosecution, freedom-to-operate analysis, and due diligence. He has additional experience in the chemical and mechanical arts. John received a B.S. in biology from the University of Puget Sound in 2006, focusing on genetics and molecular biology. Prior to attending law school, John spent five years as a researcher at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research center in Seattle, Washington, where he studied the genetic mechanisms underlying brain development and cell growth.
Senior Associate
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.
Senior Associate
Karl's practice focuses on U.S. patent prosecution of computer engineering and computer software matters. His expertise includes drafting and prosecuting utility and design patents in the United States. Karl has drafted and prosecuted patents in many different technical fields, including distributed systems and cloud computing, audiovisual content distribution and set-top boxes, automobile head units, smart signs, video encoding, wireless power systems, social networks, online content management and delivery, image processing, noise reduction/cancellation, drone technology, networks, telecommunications, email systems, video games, and other software/hardware related technologies.
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).
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.
Partner
Marc C. Levy's practice focuses on intellectual property litigation and enforcement, emphasizing trademark and unfair competition matters. Marc applies his extensive litigation and trial experience towards helping his clients protect and enforce their brands by providing strategic brand management counseling. He received his A.B. in Philosophy from the University of California–Berkeley in 1986, and his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1989.
Patent Specialist
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 the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (Boalt Hall).
Patent Agent
Paul focuses his practice on patent preparation and prosecution in electrical engineering and electronics and semiconductors. He received his B.S.E.E. (2000) from the University of Southern California-Los Angeles and his M.S.E.E. (2003) from National Taiwan University, Taipei.
Partner
Becky helps biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies (including U.S., European and Chinese companies) obtain strategic patent protection for their technologies, minimize patent infringement risks, and facilitate their IP-related business transactions. She drafts and prosecutes patent applications related to various technologies, such as immunotherapeutics, proteins, genes, small molecules, pharmaceutical compositions, disease diagnosis and treatment, nucleic acid analysis, medical devices, and transgenic animals and plants. Becky also provides patentability, validity, freedom to operate, and non-infringement analyses and opinions in these areas.
Senior Associate
Rachel focuses her practice on patent procurement and strategic portfolio management in a range of multi-disciplinary fields. In 2013, she received her J.D. (cum laude) from Seattle University School of Law. While in law school, Rachel received a CALI Excellence for the Future Award for the top grade in her intellectual property in commerce class. In 2009, she received a B.S. degree (cum laude) in General Science from Seattle University.
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).
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
Ms. Leek's practice focuses on preparing and prosecuting patent applications in electronics, telecommunications, optics, software, and mechanical engineering. She has extensive experience in counseling in general intellectual property matters, including patents and trademarks, developing strategic patent portfolios, conducting a due-diligence review of patent portfolios, preparing patent infringement and validity opinions, clearing and registering trademarks, and intellectual property licensing. She received a B.S. in Physics from the University of Washington in 1998 and her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law in 1997.
Partner
Early in his career, Steve conducted post-doctoral research in Biochemical Oncology and Cell Biology at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle before 4+ years at a Seattle biotech start-up.
His immunology, cell, molecular biology, and biochemistry background includes experience in academic departments and the biotechnology industry. He has published in the fields of cellular and molecular immunology, glycoconjugate biochemistry, and cell adhesion.
Partner
Steve Lawrenz helps his clients develop highly-strategic patent portfolios in computer software, artificial intelligence, and Internet technologies. He evaluates third-party patent portfolios to counsel on avoiding patent infringement. He also advises on the merits of acquiring particular patent assets. Additionally, Steve mines client patent portfolios to identify assets for licensing, patent infringement counterclaims, and divestment. He is an authority on Patent Trial and Appeal Board procedures--particularly appeals from examiners’ rejections--and is experienced at preparing and prosecuting design patent applications, both for user interface elements and physical articles.
Partner
Syed's practice focuses on the U.S. and international patent and trademark prosecution, enforcement, licensing, and litigation matters. He received a B.Eng in Aerospace Engineering from Ryerson University (2000) and an M.Eng. in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (2003), 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 graduated magna cum laude.
Senior Associate
Tom focuses his practice primarily on intellectual property litigation and other adversarial matters in various technical areas. His litigation experience includes representing clients in patent infringement cases, trademark infringement and unfair competition, copyright infringement, and related commercial matters in both trial and appellate courts.
He also has experience in U.S. and foreign patent prosecution, trademark prosecution, intellectual property licensing, and patent validity and infringement evaluations. Tom’s experience covers a wide range of technologies, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and chemistry.
Partner
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.
Partner
Yiheng focuses his practice on patent procurement, prosecution, licensing, and strategic intellectual property portfolio management in software and other computer-related matters. He received a B.Eng. in Computer Science and Technology from Tsinghua University (2001) and an M.S. in Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining from Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science (2004). Yiheng holds a J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law (2013), where he received multiple Witkin Awards for Academic Excellence.
Associate
Zachary Sakoi's practice focuses on patent prosecution of semiconductors, semiconductor packaging, semiconductor packaging methods, and mechanical engineering and mechatronics technologies. Zach received his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law in 2018. He served as Vice President of the Intellectual Property Law Society, was a member of the Asian Pacific Islander Law Student Association, and participated in the Trademark Law Clinic at the Ronald A. Peterson Law Clinic. He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics, from the University of Washington, in 2015, and was on the Dean's List.