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
News
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, "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 Biology, Journal of Cell Biology, Trends 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
Practices & Industries
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
