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Lawyer Profile

Image of Stephen C. Willey

Stephen C. Willey

Savitt Bruce & Willey LLP
  • Recognized Since:
    2014
  • Recognized in:
    Commercial Litigation
    Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Law School:
    University of Wisconsin–Madison
  • Website:
    http://www.sbwllp.com
  • Firm's Phone Number:
    (206) 749.0500
  • E-mail:
    swilley@sbwllp.com
  • Location:
    Joshua Green Building, Suite 800
    1425 Fourth Avenue
    Seattle, WA 98101-2272
  • LinkedIn
Steve represents plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of commercial disputes, including intellectual property matters, business torts, contracts, securities claims, and employment-related issues.  He tries cases, handles appeals, engages in ADR, and assists clients with litigation-related counseling.

Steve joined Savitt Bruce & Willey in 2003 and previously practiced with Perkins Coie in Seattle and Latham & Watkins in Menlo Park, California.  Steve has also been in-house as the sole Corporate Counsel for a 100-employee start-up company, where he was responsible for all legal matters, including contracting, corporate finance, and intellectual property enforcement.  He is a graduate, cum laude, of the University of Wisconsin Law School and is licensed in Washington and California.

In prior incarnations, Steve taught high school, was a free-lance writer, did a stint as a chef, and worked in a nightclub.  Steve lives on Bainbridge Island with the lovely and talented Gretchen and their three children.  When not working like a dog or wrangling small fry, Steve likes piña coladas, getting caught in the rain, the feel of the ocean and, of course, the taste of champagne.

Areas of Practice
Contracts and Commercial Litigation
Corporate Governance Disputes
Employment Litigation
Intellectual Property Litigation
Risk Management and Litigation Avoidance
Real Estate Litigation
Securities Litigation

Prior Professional Experience
Latham & Watkins LLP, Menlo Park CA, 2001-2003
ELetter Inc. / Launchpoint, San Jose CA, Corporate Counsel, 2000-2001
Perkins Coie LLP, Seattle WA, 1994-2000
Continue Reading
  • Lawyer Bio
  • Client Comments
  • Firm Details
  • Case History

Lawyer Bio

Steve represents plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of commercial disputes, including intellectual property matters, business torts, contracts, securities claims, and employment-related issues.  He tries cases, handles appeals, engages in ADR, and assists clients with litigation-related counseling.

Steve joined Savitt Bruce & Willey in 2003 and previously practiced with Perkins Coie in Seattle and Latham & Watkins in Menlo Park, California.  Steve has also been in-house as the sole Corporate Counsel for a 100-employee start-up company, where he was responsible for all legal matters, including contracting, corporate finance, and intellectual property enforcement.  He is a graduate, cum laude, of the University of Wisconsin Law School and is licensed in Washington and California.

In prior incarnations, Steve taught high school, was a free-lance writer, did a stint as a chef, and worked in a nightclub.  Steve lives on Bainbridge Island with the lovely and talented Gretchen and their three children.  When not working like a dog or wrangling small fry, Steve likes piña coladas, getting caught in the rain, the feel of the ocean and, of course, the taste of champagne.

Areas of Practice
Contracts and Commercial Litigation
Corporate Governance Disputes
Employment Litigation
Intellectual Property Litigation
Risk Management and Litigation Avoidance
Real Estate Litigation
Securities Litigation

Prior Professional Experience
Latham & Watkins LLP, Menlo Park CA, 2001-2003
ELetter Inc. / Launchpoint, San Jose CA, Corporate Counsel, 2000-2001
Perkins Coie LLP, Seattle WA, 1994-2000
Read more on firm website
  • Education
  • Bar & Court Admissions
  • Affiliations
  • Award List

Education:

  • University of Wisconsin–Madison , J.D., graduated 1994
  • Williams College, BA, graduated 1985

Bar Admissions:

  • Washington, State Bar Association
  • California, State Bar Association
  • Wisconsin, State Bar Association (Inactive)
 

Court Admissions:

  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • United States District Court, Western District of Washington
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington
  • United States District Court, Northern District of California
  • United States District Court, Central District of California
  • United States District Court, Western District of Wisconsin

Affiliations:

  • American Bar Association - Member
  • American Constitution Society for Law and Policy - Member, 2004-present
  • American Inn of Court - Member, Intellectual Property Division, 2001-present
  • Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington - Member
  • Washington State Bar Association - Member

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for work in:

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
 

Awards:

  • Selected to Best Lawyers in America, 2014-2018
  • Named in Chambers USA Guide to Leading Lawyers, 2013, 2016-2017
  • Selected to Washington Super Lawyers, 2006-2017
  • Selected to Washington Super Lawyers Top 100 List, 2017
  • Named BTI Client Service All-Star, 2015
  • Named one of “Washington’s Most Amazing Attorneys”, Washington CEO magazine, 2006
  • 10.0 Rating on Avvo.com
 

Lawyer Client Comments

Firm Details

Image for Savitt Bruce & Willey LLP View Firm Profile
Savitt Bruce & Willey LLP
http://www.sbwllp.com
 
Headquarters
Joshua Green Building, Suite 800
1425 Fourth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101-2272
(206) 749.0500

Lawyer Case History

InfoFlows v. Corbis

Prosecuted claims for misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud and breach of contract relating to digital image tracking technology, and defended related counterclaims; obtained $36 million jury verdict and defeated counterclaims in three-week trial. 

ChemPoint v. Xenon Arc Inc., et al.

Defended technology startup and its founders against claims for misappropriation of trade secrets, false advertising, usurpation of corporate opportunity and breach of fiduciary duty; obtained ruling entitling clients to advancement of fees under plaintiff’s articles of incorporation, partial summary judgment, and then favorable settlement.

Rtischev v. SRI International

Defended claims for breach of contract regarding speech-recognition software; obtained complete dismissal of all claims, and recovery of attorneys’ fees incurred, following arbitration hearing and proceedings.

National Flood Services v. Torrent Technologies

Defended claims for trade secret misappropriation, copyright and Lanham Act violations, and breach of non-competition agreement against startup business; obtained dismissal of key claims by summary judgment and then favorable settlement.

Maier v. Sesame Communications Inc.

Prosecuted claims for breach of employment agreement, wage and hour law violations, and tortious interference with exercise of stock options arising from termination of company founder and CEO’s employment; obtained favorable settlement.

Amazon v. Expedia

Defended claims and prosecuted counterclaims for breach of linking and co-branding agreement between national e-commerce giants; defeated motions for summary judgment, developed counterclaims, and then obtained favorable settlement.

Confidential Arbitration

Represented former partner of law firm in prosecuting claims for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty; obtained award for client following arbitration. 

vCustomer Corp. v. Acorn Ventures Inc.

Defended claims alleging dissenters’ rights arising from company determination of fair value of stock; obtained favorable settlement.

Fuhlendorf v. Isilon Systems Inc.

Defended claims for indemnification and advancement under articles of incorporation and bylaws; obtained favorable settlement.

Confidential Arbitration

Represented nonprofit research institute in prosecution of claims for breach of research and licensing contract and for tortious interference with federal agency relationship; obtained favorable settlement.
 
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