Partner brings decades of experience in biotech, telecom, chemical and oilfield services industries

BakerHostetler is proud to announce that Steven Spears has joined the firm as a partner in the Intellectual Property Group. A member of the 41-attorney patent litigation team, Spears is the first patent litigator to reside in the firm’s Houston office. He comes to BakerHostetler from McDermott Will & Emery.

Spears brings more than 25 years of experience to the firm’s Intellectual Property practice. He represents clients in all aspects of intellectual property, with a focus on patent, trade secret and other technology-related litigation. He counsels and represents companies in the biotechnology, chemical, telecommunications and oilfield services industries.

He is registered to practice with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and represents clients in federal and state courts, before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and in arbitration. In addition to litigation and arbitration, Spears has led inter partes reviews and provided strategic counsel on intellectual enforcement, freedom to operate and licensing issues. His broad experience allows him to meet a client’s full spectrum of intellectual property needs and guide them through complex controversies.

“Steven is an outstanding addition to our team,” said Mark Tidman, chair of BakerHostetler’s Intellectual Property Group. “His knowledge and depth of experience in biotechnology, chemistry and other technology areas are assets that will benefit our clients and support their need for sophisticated counsel in these technical industries.”

“We are pleased to welcome Steven to the Houston office in this key role,” said Lisa Pennington, managing partner of the Houston office. “His practice will strengthen our intellectual property capabilities and enhance the value we bring to our clients.”

“I’m excited to join BakerHostetler,” said Spears. “The firm has a well-established office with tremendous lawyers and great depth in Houston. I look forward to being a part of this stellar team and helping grow and develop the IP litigation practice both in Texas and nationally.”

Spears received his J.D., cum laude, from The University of Texas School of Law in 1991, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif. He received his bachelor of arts in chemistry, cum laude, from Rice University in 1988. Spears is a master in The Honorable Nancy F. Atlas Intellectual Property American Inn of Court, and is its 2017-2018 president-elect.

BakerHostetler’s Intellectual Property Group has more than 160 dedicated IP attorneys, with more than 100 lawyers and patent agents registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.