Steven L. Underwood

Of Counsel

ABOUT STEVEN

Steven Underwood is an intellectual property law litigator who, for over two decades, has led or participated in more than seventy lawsuits in federal courts around the country involving patents, trademarks, trade dress, and copyrights, including several successful appearances before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Even before the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank Int’l, he successfully argued on behalf of the defendant that the plaintiff’s patents covered a mere abstract idea—with the CAFC agreeing, after Alice, that the patents were invalid. He brings a pragmatic approach to his litigation matters, with his clients’ business objectives at the forefront before, during, and at the end of the litigation. Steve also has substantial patent and trademark prosecution and licensing experience. He advises clients in all aspects of intellectual property law and in many technical arts, including mechanical, pharmaceutical, electrical, food science, and software technologies.

Steve has a J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, a B.M.E. from the University of Detroit Mercy, and practical experience as an automotive engineer. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and several federal district and appellate circuit courts. Steve is also a member of the Grand Rapids Bar Association, and the Society of Automotive Engineers.

Steve has the highest overall peer AV rating according to Martindale-Hubbell.

EDUCATION

University of Detroit Mercy School of Law., J.D. magna cum laude, 1989
University of Detroit Mercy, B.M.E., 1981

PRACTICE AREAS

Patent, trademark, and copyright litigation
Patent and trademark application preparation and prosecution
Licensing and related intellectual property contracts, including non-disclosure and non-competition agreements
Patentability and freedom to operate opinions
Patent and trademark portfolio reviews

ADMISSIONS

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Canadian Intellectual Property Office
State Bar of Michigan
Michigan Supreme Court
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court