Background

Steve is a partner in our Calgary office and is a past Chair of the Calgary Intellectual Property Department and head of various related Practice Groups. Steve graduated with a B.A. from UBC in 1978 and from the University of Alberta in 1981 with an LL.B.

After articling with Howard, Mackie (one of the founding firms of Borden Ladner Gervais), Steve was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1982.

Areas of Practice

• Steve has an extensive background in general corporate/commercial law, with an emphasis on development and commercialization of technology and intellectual property, including patented and non-patented technology, trade-marks, trade secrets, copyrighted material, including computer programs and franchising and other rights.
• Much of Steve's practice is in the information technology area, including IT outsourcing.

Professional Experience

• Steve handles the following matters:
  • Corporate, commercial and intellectual property work for products and services from basic to advanced technology, and all types of industries and service providers, including computer hardware and software companies, manufacturers of consumer and industrial goods, oil and gas producers, service and petro-chemical companies, electronic commerce companies and information technology service providers, including outsourcing matters.
  • Computer and internet related work, including privacy issues, electronic commerce issues, computer law and related issues.
  • Intellectual property legal and agency work, including intellectual property audits and international protection for patents, trade-marks and copyright.
  • Trade-mark, copyright, licensing, sponsorship and supplier agreements and related matters on behalf of various organizations, including extensive work for the Organizing Committee for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.
  • Technology transfer, patent and trade secrets agreements and all types of related financing and commercialization, including negotiating and drafting of agreements relating to research, confidentiality, joint ventures, manufacturing, development, distribution and licensing.
  • Assisting numerous clients in obtaining patent protection and in dealing with patent infringement matters.
  • Incorporation and acting for various charities and charitable foundations.
  • Being a native Texan and a dual Canadian/U.S. citizen, Steve has maintained many contacts in the United States. Steve represents many U.S. based clients and law firms.

Professional and Community Activities

• Volunteer and Board Director for various not-for-profit organizations including: Student Legal Services, Legal Guidance, Between Friends, The Calgary Foundation, Foothills Hospital Foundation, Volunteer Calgary and the Foothills Medical Centre Development Council for the Calgary Health Trust.
• Trustee, Board Director and member of various Board committees for The Meadows Foundation, Inc. of Texas.
• Member, Law Society of Alberta, The Calgary Bar Association, The Canadian Bar Association.
• Registered Trade Mark Agent.
• Fellow member, Intellectual Property Institute of Canada.
• Various committees and management positions with Borden Ladner Gervais LLP at both local and national levels.