Strategic hires expand capabilities for clients

Pacific Northwest regional law firm Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt announced that the firm has hired Priya Cloutier and Steven R. Blair in an effort to continue to grow the firm’s intellectual property practice in the Seattle office and offer expanded capabilities for clients.

“The addition of two such talented and respected intellectual property attorneys underscores our investment in continuing to grow our IP presence in Seattle,” said Troy Greenfield, partner-in-charge of Schwabe’s Seattle office. “Priya’s litigation and transactional experience in the construction, green tech, and start-up industries, as well as Steven’s expertise as a prosecutor and litigator, will serve our clients well.”

Priya Cloutier focuses her practice on the procurement and enforcement of domestic and international patents, trademarks and copyrights. Her experience spans several industries, including aerospace, hybrid and electrical engines, architecture and construction, medical devices, agriculture, food and energy systems. Priya’s work includes managing and coordinating global patent portfolios of various domestic and international clients, including the preparation and prosecution of patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Priya is a skilled project manager with a Yellow Belt certification in Legal Lean Sigma® and ‎Project Management.‎ She serves as Chair of the Government Affairs Committee for the National Association of Patent ‎Practitioners.‎ Her academic background includes master’s-level work in nuclear engineering and mathematics and a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering. She received her juris doctor degree from Seattle University School of Law. Prior to joining Schwabe, Priya was with Lane Powell.

Steven R. Blair focuses his practice on U.S. and foreign computer science matters, including patent procurement, patent infringement litigation, IP licensing, audits, infringement and freedom to operate opinions, copyright registration and strategic IP portfolio management. His technology career includes positions with Hewlett-Packard, Hewlett-Packard Labs and Microsoft as a software engineer and product manager. He was involved with a wide array of software products and systems, including distributed database systems, ‎hypertext-based products, help systems, process control information systems, computer-based training ‎software, multi-media development tools, mainframe/PC integration software, cross-development ‎platforms, client/server systems, support products for developers and corporate clients, and Internet-‎based commercial sites for medium- to large-sized organizations. He received a B.S. in computer science from the University of Washington and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University. After graduating with his juris doctor degree cum laude from Seattle University School of Law, he started his own practice and also served as corporate IP counsel. Prior to joining Schwabe, Steven was an Associate with Seed Intellectual Property Law Group.