Stephanie M. Mishaga (Steph)

Stephanie Mishaga is an IP lawyer who handles patent litigation and prosecution. She practices before U.S. district courts, the International Trade Commission (ITC), and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Her technical experience encompasses software and hardware including artificial intelligence (AI), wireless communication systems including 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) devices, radio frequency identification (RFID) and distributed antenna systems (DAS), next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis tools, semiconductor devices, medical devices and patient monitoring systems, fitness equipment, on-board diagnostic (OBD) devices, lithium-ion batteries, electronic nicotine delivery systems, utility power systems, and renewable energy technologies including solar panels and electrical vehicles.

Steph has experience in various stages of patent litigation including fact and expert discovery, motion practice, oral argument for dispositive motions, depositions, Markman proceedings, and trial. Steph has five plus years industry experience developing software solutions for U.S. Navy and commercial companies. Leveraging that experience, Steph works with technical witnesses and experts to develop patent invalidity and noninfringement strategies. Steph also has trial experience with inter partes review proceedings before the PTAB.

Steph also drafts and prosecutes patent applications before the USPTO. She performs freedom to operate, due diligence, and invalidity analyses. Steph drafts ex parte reexamination (EPR) petitions.

As a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs accredited attorney, she assists veterans in appealing disability ratings to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Steph is also a member of the Firm's Women in IP initiative.

Steph currently serves on the board of the San Diego Intellectual Property Legal Association (SDIPLA).