Biotechnology

Anna's practice focuses on U.S. and foreign biotechnology and pharmaceutical patent matters including patent preparation and prosecution, as well as freedom-to-operate and patentability analyses.

She received a Ph.D. (2007) in Biophysics from the University of Cambridge, UK. Anna also earned an M.S. (2003) in Chemistry (first class) and a B.S. (2002) in Chemistry (first class), both from the University of Cambridge, UK.

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Christopher has over 13 years of experience as a patent professional representing clients primarily in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and material technology sectors. He focuses his practice on patent preparation and prosecution, global portfolio strategy and management, and providing legal opinions. In 1996, Chris received his M.S. in Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where his research focused on the design and synthesis of self-complimentary molecules capable of molecular self-assembly. Chris also practiced as a business litigator in Honolulu, Hawaii, upon receiving his J.D. from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai´i (Mānoa) in 2009. He received a B.S. in Chemistry from California State University in 1994. Chris served in the United States Navy as a nuclear propulsion plant operator aboard an Ohio-class submarine.

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 Adjunct Professor.

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Hai Han focuses her practice on U.S. and foreign chemical and pharmaceutical patent matters with special emphasis on small molecules. She’s trusted by her clients for her valuable insights as a strategic counselor, for IP management and patent procurement.  

Hai received a B.S. in Chemistry from Peking University (China) in 1992 and a Ph.D. in Organic and Physical Organic Chemistry from Brown University (1997). She also conducted post-doctoral research at the Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University (1998) and holds a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law (2003).

Janaki focuses her practice on patent preparation and prosecution of biotechnology and pharmaceutical matters. She received her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from Temple University School of Medicine in 2018 and a B.S. in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics from the University of Maryland in 2007.

Jessica is an experienced IP attorney with a broad technical background in both the physical and life sciences. She is experienced in all phases of patent portfolio management with particular expertise in the assessment of patent portfolio strengths and weaknesses, technology transactions, and patent disputes within the pharmaceutical industry. Jessica received an M.S. in Biology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2006, and a B.S. in Physics from University of Utah in 2002.She received her J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2010.

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Keenly interested in the confluence of science, business, and law, John has supported through his patent practice innovations for cancer and a variety of other diseases(infectious, neurodegenerative, lysosomal storage, autoimmune, genetic), as well as cellular agriculture. His passion for science stems from his time as a researcher at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, where he studied cell signaling and tissue patterning in the developing vertebrate brain, as well as cell growth genes in an invertebrate model. John appreciates supporting his clients’ efforts to improve human health and sustainable practices. He also has experience in the chemical and mechanical arts.

John received his J.D. summa cum laude from Seattle University School of Law (2014) and his B.S. from the University of Puget Sound.

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Michael's practice is focused on U.S. and foreign patent prosecution of chemistry and biotechnology matters, and related litigation matters.

Michelle LeCointe focuses her practice on U.S. and international IP transactions, strategies, and patent procurement. She has a wealth of experience in a broad array of technologies including pharmaceuticals, biologics, protein therapeutics and antibodies, medical devices, medical diagnostics and research materials, manufacturing processes, as well as lithium and sodium ion rechargeable batteries. She frequently counsels clients on IP agreements, corporate IP due diligence, U.S. and international patent applications, post-grant contested proceedings, non-infringement and invalidity opinions, and patent litigation.

Michelle received a B.A. (magna cum laude) in Biochemical Sciences from Harvard University, in 1997. She received her J.D. from Columbia Law School, as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, in 2000.

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Becky specializes in biotechnology and pharmaceutical patents. She works closely with companies in these industries to develop strategic patent protection for their technologies. She helps her clients minimize their patent infringement risks, and facilitates smooth IP-related business transactions. Her expertise includes managing patent portfolios for a variety of technologies such as immunotherapeutics, proteins, nucleic acid isolation and analysis, pharmaceutical compositions, disease diagnosis and treatment, medical devices, and transgenic animals and plants. Additionally, Becky offers patentability, validity, freedom to operate, and non-infringement analyses and opinions in these areas.

Michelle's practice is focused on patent procurement, licensing, and strategic intellectual property portfolio management in electrical and chemical matters.

Examples of expertise include semiconductors, materials science, batteries, electronics, optoelectronics, medical devices, nanotechnology, polymers, organic chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Michelle has successfully drafted and prosecuted numerous patent applications of U.S. and international patent matters for clients ranging from small startups to large global corporations.

She received a B.S. in Polymer Chemistry from Sichuan University (1992), an M.S. in Polymer Chemistry and Physics from Jilin University (1995), a second M.S. in Organic Chemistry from Northeastern University (1999), and a Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering/Nanotechnology from University of Washington (2003). Michelle holds a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law (2011).

Tessa focuses her practice on U.S. patent prosecution in the life sciences sector and electrical engineering. She earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of Washington in 2014.

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Toby specializes in patent prosecution of chemistry, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical matters. Toby received his B.S. (2007) and M.S. (2009) degrees, both in Chemistry, from Western Washington University. Toby received his J.D. cum laude from Seattle University School of Law in 2016, where he was honored with the Presidential Scholarship Award and the Washington State Bar Association Intellectual Property Scholarship Award, and made the Dean’s List.

Will’s practice focuses on patent prosecution, freedom-to-operate analysis, and due diligence in the life sciences sector. He earned a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Washington in 2012. Will received his J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law in 2023, with a Concentration Track in Intellectual Property.

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