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Steven

Steven B. Winters

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With nearly 30 years of experience leading complex intellectual property-based transactions, Steven’s practice primarily focuses on acting as outside general counsel to companies in the technology and science sectors. He advises and counsels Boards of Directors and C-suite management on high-level intellectual property decisions and strategies. His fundamental practice covers a broad range, including: patent licensing, supply, distribution, contests and sweepstakes, venture financing, hybrid joint ventures, and M&A.

Steven was recognized as “Seattle Lawyer of the Year” in the area of CleanTech by Best Lawyers® in 2021, and he has consistently been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America. For 2023, he is listed as one of the top trademark lawyers in the world in the World Trademark Review 1000.

Steven frequently speaks and writes on pertinent IP issues, including topics such as complex tech and science-based license agreements, music and copyright law, social influencer and online issues, branding initiatives, and hybrid joint ventures.

Steven earned his J.D., with honors, from the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law. From 1992-1993, he was a Law Clerk to the Honorable Clarence A. Brimmer, Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming, before entering private practice. Prior to attending law school, Steven worked as the Director of Research and Strategic Planning for Bozell Worldwide, an international marketing and advertising agency. Steven also has an MBA from the University of Southern California, which has helped him advise his clients on business modeling and strategic initiatives based on the confluence of technology, commerce, regulation, and law.

From 1983-1987, Steven was a professional guitarist, singer, musician and composer. His band, Morris Can Fly, was on tour, signed to a record deal and released three CDs during that time period. The band’s music can be found on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube.

Experience

Caffe D'arte Purchase and Rebranding of Five Tully's Franchise Coffee Shops
Advised Caffe D’arte, a Seattle-based coffee shop and coffee bean wholesaler, in its purchase of five separate Tully's franchise coffee shop locations in and around Boise, Idaho.
creativeLIVE, Inc. Series A Preferred Stock Financing
Advised creativeLIVE, Inc., an online creative educator, in its Series A preferred stock financing.
New Wave Group AB Acquisition of Ahead, Inc.
Advised New Wave Group AB in its strategic acquisition of Ahead, Inc., a Massachusetts-based headwear and apparel company.
New Wave Group AB Acquisition of Paris Glove of Canada, Ltd.
Advised New Wave Group AB in the cross-border acquisition of Paris Glove of Canada Ltd, a Montreal, Canada-based manufacturer of gloves and golf apparel.
Attachmate Corporation v. Tarmac Ltd.
Case No. 2:2008cv01370U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
Defended Tarmac Ltd. in a multi-million dollar defense of a software copyright infringement lawsuit.
BroadbandTV Corp. Intellectual Property Outside Counsel
Acting as outside lead counsel to BroadbandTV Corp. in all of its intellectual property matters and U.S. dealings (the company is located in British Columbia).
CityMix, Inc. Intellectual Property Advice
Providing advice to CityMix, construction industry startup, regarding all aspects of patent and trade secret protection, filing strategies, developing new business models, licensing, supply and distribution.
GeoTag Inc v. Frontier Communications Corp et al
Case No. 2:2010-cv-00265U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
Defended Intelius/inome in a patent infringement suit for a locator service, alleging that that Intelius infringes a patent for database searches that are both geographical and topical.
Washington Partners, Inc. Sale of Seattle Business to Jones Lang LaSalle
Advised the owners of Washington Partners, previously Seattle's largest independent commercial real estate tenant brokerage agency, in the sale of their Seattle business to a subsidiary of Jones Lang LaSalle, an international commercial real estate company.
Roland Corporation U.S. Contest and Sweepstakes Development
Assisted music equipment company Roland Corporation in developing sweepstakes promoting international and national music competition featuring company's products.
Roland Corporation U.S. Intellectual Property Advice
Advise Roland Corporation in all aspects of intellectual property protection, strategic analysis, contests and sweepstakes, and dispute resolution in the U.S.
SanMar Acquisition and Divestiture of Volunteer Knitwear
Assisted SanMar in acquiring Volunteer Knitwear as part of its initiative around Made in USA fabrics, sweatshirts and t-shirts.
Aviation Partners, Inc. Formation of Joint Venture With Flexsys, Inc. to Develop Wing-Morphing Technology
Advised Aviation Partners, Inc., a Seattle-based private corporation that specializes in performance enhancing winglet systems, in the formation of a joint venture with Flexsys, Inc. to develop wing-morphing technology.
Lundberg, LLC Represented Seller in Sale of Business
Advised Lundberg, LLC in the sale of its business.
Kam Yen Jan Sale of Business
Advised the January Company, a leading manufacturer of Chinese-style meat products, in the sale of its business.
Caffé D'arte Branded Storefront License & Supply Transaction for New Sea-Tax Annex
Advised Caffé D'arte on a branded storefront license and supply transaction for the new Sea-Tax annex.
Center for Infectious Disease Research Affiliation and Asset Transfer
Represented the Center for Infectious Disease Research in an affiliation and asset transfer.
CustomArray Inc. Acquisition by GenScript Biotech Corp.
Represented CustomArray Inc., a major DNA oligo pool synthesizing company, and its stockholders in connection with the sale of of its business to GenScript Biotech Corp.

Professional Experience

Riddell Williams P.S., Partner (1999-2003)

Bogle & Gates, P.L.L.C., Associate and Senior Associate (1994-1999)

U.S. Federal District Court of Wyoming, Law Clerk to the Honorable Clarence A. Brimmer (1992-1993)

Bozell Worldwide, Director of Research and Strategic Planning for Western Division (1983-1989)

Community Involvement

Washington State Bar Association

American Bar Association

Seattle Parks and Recreation Basketball League, Coach (2005-2014)

Jewish Family Services

Holocaust Center for Humanity, Seattle

Thought Leadership

August 15, 2024News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2025 Recognizes 128 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
February 7, 2024News
Connors, K. Davis, Swanson, and Winters Recognized in 2024 World Trademark Review 1000
Awards & Honors
August 17, 2023News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2024 Recognizes 123 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
February 7, 2023News
Connors, K. Davis, Swanson, and Winters Recognized in 2023 World Trademark Review 1000
Awards & Honors
October 21, 2022Publication
Grasping Social Media Ad Regulations: Influencer Contracts
Law360
September 19, 2022Publication
Grasping Social Media Ad Regulations: Key FTC Proposals
Law360
August 18, 2022News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 Recognizes 90 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
February 25, 2022Publication
Hybrid Joint Ventures: What They Are & How They Work
Lane Powell White Paper
August 19, 2021News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2022 Recognizes 90 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
August 20, 2020News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2021 Recognizes 92 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
July 16, 2020News
Thirty-Two Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Washington for 2020
Awards & Honors
October 25, 2019Event / CLE
Licensing in the Joint Development Context
Law Seminars International | Seattle
August 15, 2019News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2020 Recognizes 63 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
June 10, 2019News
Thirty-one Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and Nine Named ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
August 24, 2018Event / CLE
Mock Negotiation of a Hypothetical Licensing Agreement
Law Seminars International | Seattle
August 15, 2018News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2019 Recognizes 62 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
June 18, 2018News
Thirty-two Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and 14 Named ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
May 5, 2018Event / CLE
Creating Successful Music Ecosystems: Ethical Approaches to Addressing Artists’ Needs and Representation
University of Washington, KEXP and Washington Lawyers for the Arts | Seattle
August 30, 2017Publication
Recent Supreme Court Decision Constrains Forum Shopping in Patent Infringement Cases
Intellectual Property Legal Update
August 15, 2017News
Fifty-nine Lane Powell Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers® in America 2018
Awards & Honors
June 9, 2017News
Thirty-one Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and 16 Named ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
December 2, 2016Event / CLE
Tips, Tricks and Traps for Information Technology Agreements
Law Seminars International | Seattle
September 30, 2016Publication
Keeping It Confidential: How to Build a Better Nondisclosure Agreement
Seattle Business Magazine
August 17, 2016News
Fifty-one Lane Powell Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017
Awards & Honors
December 2, 2015Event / CLE
Second Annual Startups and Emerging Companies Seminar: The Startup Journey — Idea to Exit
Lane Powell Seminar | Seattle
October 14, 2015Event / CLE
The New Era of Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreements
Washington Association of Corporate Counsel Continuing Legal Education | Seattle
August 21, 2015Event / CLE
Advanced Concepts in Licensing IP and Technology
Seminar | Seattle
August 17, 2015News
Forty-eight Lane Powell Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America® 2016
Awards & Honors
June 12, 2015News
Thirty-two Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and 11 Named as ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
March 31, 2015Publication
Online Contests: Make Them Effective by Simplifying the Mechanics
Seattle Business
September 10, 2014Event / CLE
Diving Deeper Into the Licensor Side of Advanced Licensing Agreements
Washington Association of Corporate Counsel | Seattle
August 18, 2014News
Fifty-One Lane Powell Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America® 2015
Awards & Honors
June 13, 2014News
Thirty-five Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and Fifteen Named as ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
June 14, 2013News
Thirty-Six Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and Sixteen Named as ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
June 13, 2012News
28 Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers;’ 12 Named as ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
August 9, 2011News
Thirty-six Lane Powell Attorneys Listed as Top Lawyers in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine
Awards & Honors
June 20, 2011News
Twenty-six Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers;’ Ten Lane Powell Attorneys Named As ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
June 6, 2010News
28 Lane Powell Attorneys Named Washington Super Lawyers 2010
Awards & Honors

Practices & Industries

Blockchain & Cryptocurrency
Intellectual Property Transactions
International Arbitration
International IP Dispute Resolution
Privacy & Data Security
Startups & Venture Capital

Education

University of Southern California Gould School of Law , J.D., with honors, 1992
Musician’s Institute, Hollywood, California, with high honors, 1989
University of Southern California, M.B.A., 1981
Northwestern University, B.A., 1979

Admissions

Washington
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington

Languages

Spanish (Fluent)
Hebrew (Limited working proficiency)

Honors

"Seattle Lawyer of the Year," Best Lawyers®, CleanTech (2021)

The Best Lawyers in America©, Intellectual Property Litigation, Trademark Law (2009-2025); CleanTech Law (2009-2013, 2015-2025); Patent Litigation (2009-2018); Intellectual Property (2009-2013)

"Leading Trademark Professional," World Trademark Review 1000 (2023-2024)

"Washington Super Lawyer," Thomson Reuters, Intellectual Property (2004-2006, 2008-2020)

"IP Star," Managing Intellectual Property, Patent

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