Stephen G. Baxter, Ph.D.
Partner
Tel (703) 413-3000

Stephen G. Baxter, Ph.D.

Partner

STEPHEN (Steve) G. BAXTER, Ph.D., is a partner in the firm's Chemical Patent Prosecution and Litigation practice groups. His practice includes all phases of patent prosecution, including the preparation of patent applications, patent litigation in federal district court, client counseling, and due diligence. He is also experienced in § 337 actions at the International Trade Commission.

Formerly an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Tufts University, with a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, Dr. Baxter possesses a deep understanding of the science underlying his clients’ innovations. He is especially skilled in the prosecution and litigation of a wide range of chemical and pharmaceutical patents and represents numerous large chemical and pharmaceutical companies.

With years of experience both litigating and prosecuting patents, Dr. Baxter readily identifies the points of attack that make a patent vulnerable, crafting patents to avoid later challenges. A skilled strategist, Dr. Baxter advises his clients on patent portfolio management and optimization, patentability, and interference issues.

Dr. Baxter has been an invited lecturer at the MAS program at ETH in Zurich, Switzerland, and many chemical and pharmaceutical companies. He has also published nearly 20 scientific articles in areas such as heterocyclic chemistry and stereochemistry.

Representative Matters

Successfully represented French steelmakers Sollac and Ugine (then subsidiaries of Usinor, now Arcelor) against AK Steel’s accusation that Sollac infringed six patents relating to aluminum-coated stainless steel, which is highly desirable and profitable for automotive applications due to its appearance and corrosion resistance. Despite defending against this six-patent attack in Ohio, AK’s home state and the heart of America’s steel industry, Sollac defeated AK with respect to all six patents after district court and appellate court proceedings. Due to the strength of this victory, Sollac then received a monetary settlement from patentee AK to resolve a related antitrust countersuit. AK Steel v. Sollac, 344 F.3d 1234 ((Fed. Cir. 2003).

Represented Orion Corporation Fermion against Tanabe Seiyaku Co. and Marion Merrel Dow Inc. in a case claiming patent infringement involving diltiazem. At the Federal Circuit, the ITC’s finding of no infringement was affirmed. Tanabe Seiyaku Co. v. U.S. International Trade Commission, 109 F.3d 726 (Fed. Cir. 1997).

Martindale-Hubbell, Rated 2.9 out of 5.0

The Legal 500 U.S., recognized for his wide-ranging chemical patent prosecution experience (2008 - 2012)

 

Top Patent Prosecutor, Patent Research Review (2011)