Firm overview
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox is a leading IP law firm based in Washington DC and distinguished by the strong technical experience and knowledge of its team. Sterne Kessler has over 40 years’ experience helping companies to strategize, build and enforce worldwide IP portfolios, including inter partes matters (lawsuits, appeals, oppositions and post-grant proceedings such as inter partes review and covered business method patent review); preparation and prosecution of patent and trademark applications before the US and foreign patent offices; and advice on portfolio strategies (valuation, acquisition and due diligence).
Sterne Kessler launched its USPTO litigation service as a response to the implementation of the America Invents Act, beginning in 2012. The law ushered in a variety of ways to either challenge or strengthen patents at the PTAB of the USPTO, including inter partes review, post-grant review, covered business method patent review, derivations, interferences and re-examination.
Sterne Kessler attorneys and agents, including over 50 PhDs, are carefully recruited for their technical expertise and industry experience. Most have earned an advanced technical degree and have significant industry or academic experience across a wide spectrum of technical areas, including electronics, software, biotechnology, clean technology, pharmaceuticals, chemical products and processes, and consumer products. Many of the firm’s patent prosecution attorneys have previously worked as patent examiners and have unique insights into the inner workings of the USPTO.
Sterne Kessler lawyers are trained to evaluate intellectual property in the context of client business issues to ensure alignment with company goals. Strong patent claims constructed around strategic goals are invaluable as companies commercialize ideas or defend leadership positions against interferences, re-examinations and oppositions.
Sterne Kessler’s client base includes emerging and multi-national companies, venture capital firms, individual entrepreneurs, universities, and research institutions.
The firm’s primary service areas include utility and design patent prosecution; patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret litigation (including District Court, Hatch-Waxman, ITC, PTAB, and appellate); IP due diligence; IP valuation; inventorship dispute resolutions; licensing; product lifecycle management; opinions; oppositions; and strategic counseling. Among the key industries serviced by the firm are: biosimilars, biotechnology, chemistry, clean technology, consumer products, electronics, food science and packaging, industrial products, medical devices, nanotechnology, software, pharmaceuticals and automotive.
