Sarah MacLeod

Thomas Buford III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Thomas, 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 Thomas is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Victoria Slade is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Victoria, who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Victoria is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ruben Bolivar Pagán is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Technology Law. Ruben Bolivar, who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ruben Bolivar is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

BACKGROUND Jim White specializes in the domestic and foreign prosecution of software and Internet-related patents, and also provides services in strategic planning and analysis of patent portfolios, patent validity and infringement opinions, and patent licensing. He received his technical degrees from Stanford University, including an M.S. in Computer Science (1991) and a B.S. in Symbolic Systems with an emphasis in Artificial Intelligence (1989). After over six years of work as a software en...

Tom Cristy, a partner in the firm’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation practice, focuses on employee benefits, ERISA and executive compensation. Tom has more than 20 years of experience drafting and reviewing employee benefit plans and counseling clients with respect to employee benefits and executive compensation, including ERISA, qualified plans (pension, profit sharing, 401(k) and employee stock ownership plans), non-qualified deferred compensation, supplemental executive...

Bonnie MacNaughton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Intellectual Property. Bonnie, who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bonnie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bob Giles is the firm’s managing partner. Bob manages more than 900 attorneys in 19 different offices. He chairs the Management Committee, serves on the Executive Committee, and is involved with numerous other committees within the firm. Bob began at Perkins Coie in 1974. He focused his practice in the areas of partnerships, tax planning, real estate syndications and general corporate practice until 1986, when he became the firm’s managing partner.

Laura R. Gerber is a strong advocate for her clients. From her early years in a whistleblower protection organization, to her current practice litigating against some of America’s largest corporations, Laura has built her career as a trusted advocate for plaintiffs. Laura represents her clients with skill, tact and diplomacy. As a result, Laura’s clients trust her to listen carefully, keep them informed, provide excellent legal advice, and to diligently pursue their interests in l...

BACKGROUND Eric Harwood is the Chair of Seed’s Chemistry and Biotechnology Group. His 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, where he now serves as an Adjun...

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...