Partner
Steven D. Lawrenz
Before entering law school, Steve worked on operating system development for IBM. After beginning his legal career at Seed IP, Steve helped to found Perkins Coie LLP's patent procurement practice, and served as Technology Committee chair. He returned to Seed IP in 2019 to lead its software patent practice.
Steve Lawrenz is an AV-rated (Martidnale-Hubbell®) patent attorney who works closely with his clients to develop business-aligned and highly-strategic patent portfolios in computer software, artificial intelligence, and Internet technologies. Earned experience has also given Steve the insight to provide special scrutiny to subject-matter eligibility issues. He’s frequently asked to evaluate third-party patent portfolios, counsel clients on avoiding patent infringement, and advise on the merits of acquiring particular patent assets. Steve also has a keen eye for identifying assets for licensing and enforcement in client patent portfolios, and advises on patent infringement counterclaims, and patent asset divestment.
Steve is a well-regarded authority on Patent Trial and Appeal Board procedures – particularly appeals from examiners’ rejections – and is proficient at preparing and prosecuting design patent applications, both for user interface elements and physical articles.
University of Illinois College of Law
J.D. 1992
Engineering at Illinois
Computer Science
B.S. (with highest honors) 1989
Steve is admitted to the Washington State Bar and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
Steve is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association. He also serves on the University of Illinois College of Law, Seattle Alumni Chapter board.
Lawrenz, S., "USPTO Issues Inventorship Guidance for AI-Assisted Inventions," published on SeedIP.com and SeedGROW™, March 13, 2024
You might run into Steve in the weight room; the behavioral economics, rock and roll biography, or humanoid robotics sections at the library; a delightful downtown-Edmonds sushi counter; or an ASL-translated whodunnit alongside his kid.
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Honors & Awards
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®, 2016-2025
Top Rated AV Preeminent™ Intellectual Property Lawyer, Martindale-Hubbell®, 2005-2024
Recommended, IAM Patent 1000, Prosecution: Washington, 2013-2024
Selected to Washington Super Lawyers®, 2007-2009
Selected to Washington Rising Stars®, 2003, 2005 & 2006
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How to customize formatting for each rich text
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What’s a Rich Text element?
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
Static and dynamic content editing
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
How to customize formatting for each rich text
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
What’s a Rich Text element?
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
Static and dynamic content editing
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
How to customize formatting for each rich text
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
What’s a Rich Text element?
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
Static and dynamic content editing
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
How to customize formatting for each rich text
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
What’s a Rich Text element?
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
Static and dynamic content editing
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
How to customize formatting for each rich text
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
