Steve’s diverse patent experience and technical background allows him to quickly understand the science at issue and provide patent counseling and patent protection strategies.

Overview

A registered patent attorney, Steve blends his science background and legal experience to prepare and prosecute complex patent applications, provide patent, licensing and enforcement counseling in biotechnology, chemistry and life sciences to advance business goals.

Steve’s postdoctoral experience and advanced degree in biological sciences combine with his law degree to give him the unique ability to analyze complex biotechnology issues and navigate regulatory and policy challenges affecting the biotech industry. He provides legal analysis and counsel in a wide range of life sciences technologies. His practice includes patent preparation and prosecution, freedom-to-operate, infringement, invalidity and patentability opinions, intellectual property due diligence, and post grant proceedings including Inter Partes Review and Post Grant Review.

Steve has experience with a variety of technologies relating to DNA, RNA, proteins, antibodies, biological therapies, gene therapies, cell therapies, pharmaceuticals, drug conjugates, medical and research diagnostic assays, biomarkers, protein chemistry, molecular cloning, protein expression, cell culture and development, immunohistochemistry, delivery of pharmaceutical and biological molecules, nanotechnology, microfluidics, microencapsulation, transgenic animals, transgenic oils, transgenic plants, biofuels, skin science, absorbent materials, food science, pediatric and adult nutritionals, and agricultural biotechnology. Other subject areas include electrochemical cells, hydrogen generator cells and fuel cells.

Steve received his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Florida State University where he studied cytoskeletal protein organization in blood platelets in response to the activation of signaling cascades. As a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Arizona, Steve studied cardiac and striated muscle sarcomere protein assembly and expression.

Steve frequently presents to corporate counsel, legal associations, and academic conferences on topics ranging from IP due diligence to patent eligibility.

News & Insights

Speaking Engagements

Co-Presenter "Caveat Emptor: The Need to Conduct IP Due Diligence," Association of Corporate Counsel St. Louis Chapter CLE, June 2017

Co-organizer and panelist, "University Patents in the Bullseye as Targets for Post-grant Challenges in the U.S. and Europe," Association of University Technology Managers Annual Meeting, March 2017

"Discoveries, Inventions & Patents: The Who, What, Where, When & Why in Academic Science," Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, May 2015

Co-Presenter, "Tips and Tricks for Addressing U.S. Patent Eligibility," Roche Diagnostics Operations, Indianapolis, IN, April 2015

Co-Presenter, "USPTO Interim Guidance on Patent Eligibility," Minnesota CLE, March 2015

Co-Presenter, “Implications of Post Grant Proceedings for Universities,” Indiana University Research and Technology Corp., Indianapolis, IN, August 2014

Co-Presenter, “Roche IP Academy: Examiner Interviews; Patent Term Adjustment Update; and United States Supreme Court – 2014 Patent Cases,” Roche Diagnostics Operations, Indianapolis, IN, February 2014

Publications

Co-author, "Federal Appeals Court Cautions Against Overapplication of Alice in Biotechnology," Client communication, March 2019

Co-author, "New Eligibility Guidance by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office," Stinson Alert, January 2019

Co-author, "Finding A Cure For Medical Diagnostic Patentability," Legal Insights for Supply Chain, March 2018

Co-author, "Fed. Circ. Unfreezes Biotech Patents in CellzDirect," Law360, July 2016

Co-author, "Diagnosing The Sequenom Problem," Law360, July 2016

Co-author, "USPTO Releases Interim Guidance on Patent Eligibility," Client communication, December 2014

"Attorneys React to High Court's Gene Patent Ruling," Law360, June 2013

Steve has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals such as the Journal of Molecular BiologyJournal of Cell BiologyTrends in Cardiovascular Medicine and European Journal of Cell Biology

Recognitions

Recognitions

Selected to the 2023, 2024 editions of Best Lawyers in America©

Consistently selected for inclusion as a Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers’ Rising Star

St. Louis Small Business Monthly Top STL Attorney, February 2018

Professional & Civic Activities

Professional & Civic Activities

The Missouri Bar 

Illinois State Bar 

Registered Patent Attorney, United States Patent and Trademark Office

Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM), Member

Admissions

  • Missouri 
  • Illinois 
  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Education

Washington University School of Law, J.D., 2006

Florida State University, Ph.D., Biological Sciences, 2000

Florida State University, B.S., 1993

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