Ryan P. Steen

BACKGROUND 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 ...

Professional Overview Shawna M. Lydon is an equity partner at Schlemlein Fick & Franklin. Her practice is primarily in the areas of employment law and defense litigation, including employment practices liability, premises liability, product liability, and professional liability matters. Similarly, Ms. Lydon routinely advises private individual and business clients on employment law and human resource issues. Ms. Lydon was previously a Shareholder and member of the Litigation Practice Grou...

Kelly has a longstanding career in the legal profession, spanning over four decades. She is licensed to practice law in five jurisdictions and has advocated for litigants within both state and federal courts. Her experience includes serving as an Administrative Health Law Judge with the Department of Health and working as a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in Pierce County before becoming Senior Counsel at Envision Family Law. In her role as a GAL, Kelly played a crucial part in many child custody cas...

Gwendolyn C. Payton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Gwendolyn C., who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gwendolyn C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Julia C. Hunter is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Immigration Law. Julia C., who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Julia C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David B. Starks is a Partner at the Pacific Northwest family law firm McKinley Irvin, PLLC. He is a Fellow of both the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (IAML ), and current president of the Washington chapter of the AAML. David’s practice concentrates on divorce cases involving difficult custody matters as well as the protection, valuation, and distribution of significant assets or business interests. His passion for res...

Trademark law and brand strategist attorney Patchen Haggerty is a partner in the firm’s Trademark, Copyright, Media & Brand Protection practice. Patchen manages global trademark portfolios and trademark enforcement programs for market-leading companies. She also guides clients in the protection, development, commercialization, licensing, assignment and sale of intellectual property rights and assets. Patchen's recent counsel includes advising companies in managing the risks associat...

Craig Gannett focuses his practice in the fields of electric utility regulation, renewable energy development, and climate change-related regulation. He advises clients on a broad range of regulatory matters, including those relating to hydroelectric dams, wholesale electricity transactions, transmission lines, the creation and trading of renewable energy credits, and the impacts of potential changes to the Columbia River Treaty. As a former Senior Counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Ener...

Mr. Schlemlein obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction in 1979. Prior to obtaining his law degree, Mr. Schlemlein worked in the construction industry and owned his own construction firm. Mr. Schlemlein's practice has focused on construction law, and includes the representation of prime contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, fabricators, suppliers, and owners, sureties and lending institutions. Mr. Schl...

Carol L. Edward is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Immigration Law. Carol L., who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2001. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carol L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.