Stephen M. DeKlerk, Partner

Mr. De Klerk is a patent attorney and member of Sonnenschein’s Intellectual Property and Technology Practice.

Professional Profile 

• U.S. and international patent procurement
• Strategic patent portfolio development including conducting audits and evaluations of client technology for intellectual property development
• Conducting technology audits and evaluations of target and third-party assets for mergers and acquisitions, licensing and similar transactions
• Defensive analysis of third-party patent portfolios
• Opinions of counsel relating to validity or infringement of third party patents
• Reexamination of issued patents
• Licensing and joint venture agreements for technology and patents 

Representative Legal Experience 

• Prepared and obtained patents in the areas of computer-related technologies patents (e.g., enterprise and Internet search engine software, online and casino-based gambling technologies, high-speed multiplayer 3D server-based and peer-to-peer online game technologies, computer hardware manufacturing and testing technologies and hard drives), medical device patents (e.g., cardiac and arthroscopic medical devices), medical diagnostics (e.g., DNA synthesis apparatus, CT scanners), medical sterile equipment, and surgical robotics, clean tech patents (e.g., solar power; superconductors), and business methods.
• Conducted technology audits for client products in the areas of Internet map technology, Internet search technology, geographic-local Internet-based searching systems, web interfaces, electronics testing apparatus, semiconductor equipment, electronic manufactures, medical robotics, etc.
• Conducted defensive audits of competitor companies in the fields of online game technologies, online auctions, search engines, medical robotics, etc.
• Evaluated the strength of semiconductor patents to be asserted by client’s competitor so that the client was prepared to handle defenses of invalidity and unenforceability.
• Evaluated the strength of semiconductor patents to be asserted by client against competitor.
• Drafted and negotiated joint development and licensing agreements for mining prop development, communication systems for underground use, building methods and materials, etc. 

Non-legal Experience

Prior to law school, Mr. De Klerk worked as an engineer for a large petrochemical company specializing in the Fischer-Tropsch process for synthetic gas development and related chemicals manufacture, and as an engineer designing enterprise software and ballistics for missiles and howitzers.

Prior to working as an engineer, Mr. De Klerk served as an officer in the Parachute Brigade in the South African Defense Force.

Prior to joining Sonnenschein, Mr. De Klerk was a partner with Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman LLP.

• California State Bar
• U.S. Patent Bar
• Licensing Executives Society
• Silicon Valley Intellectual Property Law Association
• American Intellectual Property Law Association
• FICPI