Best Lawyers in Washington, United States for Intellectual Property Law
BACKGROUND Karl Hermanns specializes in chemical-related patent matters, including overall portfolio management and strategy. He graduated with both a B.S. and an M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Washington. He received his J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law. EXPERIENCE Karl is an adjunct professor at the University of Washington School of Law, co-teaching the patent preparation and prosecution course, and teaches “Intellectual Property for Scientists” thro...
Fran Jagla is the chair of the firm's trademark practice group, a member of the firm's executive committee, and the executive member of the firm's DEI council. Fran advises clients across a wide range of industries, from Fortune 100 companies to startups, in all areas of trademark law. Fran focuses her practice in assisting clients with both U.S. and foreign trademark matters, including name development, search, clearance, filing, registration, maintenance, licensing, and due diligence, as we...
Margie Aoki collaborates with clients to develop strategies to protect their intellectual property, working closely with inventors to craft robust utility and design patent applications that highlight the client’s innovations. During examination, Margie encourages open communication with patent examiners to find the most efficient path towards allowance. Margie’s experience extends to freedom-to-operate and validity opinions, design-around strategies, and due diligence for portfol...
Christopher T. Varas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Advertising Law, Copyright Law and Trademark Law. Christopher T., 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 Christopher T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Dr. Rhys Lawson focuses his practice on creating patent portfolios to obtain integrated worldwide protection for his clients' inventions. Rhys works with a variety of clients, ranging in size from independent inventors and early-stage entrepreneurs to multinational corporations, universities and non-governmental organizations. Rhys is the head of the firm's life sciences practice group and a member of the mechanical engineering practice group. His areas of particular technical expertise are b...
BACKGROUND Kevin Costanza specializes in mechanical patent prosecution, trademark clearance and registration, and intellectual property licensing. He received a B.S. in Engineering from the University of California at Irvine in 1990, concentrating in mechanical engineering and material sciences. He received his J.D. (cum laude) from Seattle University School of Law in 1995. EXPERIENCE After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Kevin worked as an engineer with the Irvine, California office o...
Steven D. Lawrenz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law. Steven D., who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Marc C. Levy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Patent and Trademark Law. Marc C., who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Marc C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
BACKGROUND Russ specializes in trademark and technology law, including strategic trademark and copyright counseling, internet policy, unfair competition, domain name strategy and disputes, trademark prosecution and maintenance, licensing, enforcement and litigation. He received his AB in Psychology from Stanford University and his JD from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. EXPERIENCE Russ has been an intellectual property attorney for over 20 years with 14 years of in-...
George C. Rondeau, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law, Trade Secrets Law and Trademark Law. George C., who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which George C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.