Steven P. Shurtz
Practice Summary

Mr. Shurtz specializes in U.S. patent application preparation and prosecution, foreign patent prosecution, patent opinion and counseling. He is experienced in supervising patent procurement activities of client companies, including foreign patent strategies, oppositions and the use of the Patent Cooperation Treaty and regional patent offices, as well as preparing and prosecuting patent applications on individual chemical and mechanical inventions, including appeals to the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences. He also has experience in patent infringement/validity and right to use opinions and license agreements; trade secrets audits, analysis and agreements; and training seminars for client employees.

Prior to attending law school, Mr. Shurtz was involved in a pilot plant process development of chemical demilitarization.

Honors/Distinctions
  • Volunteer of the Year Award, Utah Technology Council, 2010
  • Leading Intellectual Property Lawyer, Leading Lawyers Network, Law Bulletin Publishing Company, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010 
  • Law Review, University of Utah, 1981-1983
Representative Matters
  • Coca-Cola v. Reed
Publications
  • "A Patented Advantage," Building & Construction West, Winter 2011, co-author with Ryan L. Marshall
  • "That's My Property!," Environmental Design & Construction, November 2010, co-author with Ryan L. Marshall
  • "Community Communications Company v. City of Boulder: Denial of Parker Exemption to Home Rule Cities," 1983; Utah Law Review 139.
Presentations
  • “Beyond the Basics: Intellectual Property, Patents, Trademarks & Copyrights,” Miller Business Center at Salt Lake Community College, Sandy, UT, January 26, 2011
  • "Avoiding Pitfalls in Obtaining Foreign Patent Protection", Utah State Bar, Intellectual Property Section, Salt Lake City, Utah, January 2004
  • "Acquiring Patent Rights and Pitfalls to Avoid" Rad-Tech Conference, Chicago, Illinois, April 1998
  • "A Future Perspective of Packaging Technology for Microwave Foods, Based on Issued U.S. Patents", International Conference on Microwavable Foods, Atlanta, Georgia, October 1989
Memberships & Affiliations
  • American Bar Association
    Section on Patent, Trademark & Copyright Law
    Intellectual Property Law Committee 102 (International Patent Laws & Treaties)
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association
    International and Foreign Law Committee
    Relations with PTO Committee
  • Utah State Bar Association
    Intellectual Property Law Section
  • Utah Science and Mathematics Education Consortium
    Board of Directors, 2009
  • J. Reuben Clark Law Society
Civic Activities
  • Mathematics Steering Committee for the Utah State Office of Education for 2008-2009
  • Volunteer for Junior Achievement, 2009
  • Boy Scouts of America
    Assistant Scout Master
    Explorer Post Advisor
    Chartering Organization Head
  • Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
    Full-time mission, June 1975 - June 1977
    Bishop of Schaumburg 1st Ward, May 1997 - January 2002
Legal Experience
  • Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, Chicago, Illinois
    Shareholder, January 1989-Present
    Associate, June 1983-December 1988
  • Exxon Corporation, Houston, Texas
    Law Clerk, Summer 1982
Non-Legal Experience
  • Tooele Army Depot, Ammunition Equipment Office, Tooele, Utah
    Chemical Engineer, Summer 1980 and 1981
Press Releases
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