Steven W. Hartsell

Steven W. Hartsell is a Partner at Skiermont Derby LLP and a registered patent attorney whose practice centers on high-stakes patent infringement litigation and inter partes review (IPR) proceedings. His technical focus is broad, informed by his prior career as a research and applications engineer supporting semiconductor manufacturers. He litigates cases across a range of technologies, including semiconductors, telecommunications, software, mobile devices, medical devices, and consumer electronics.

The authoritative case list shows Mr. Hartsell representing defendant VIZIO, Inc., where he served as lead counsel for related IPR proceedings. However, his broader practice includes significant work for patent owners. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants in federal court and before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). His firm biography highlights his experience representing both petitioners and patent owners in IPRs, noting a strong track record of securing favorable outcomes for his clients.

Mr. Hartsell has played a key role in litigation securing substantial verdicts for patent holders. Notably, he was part of the trial team representing plaintiff IPA Technologies Inc. that obtained a $242 million jury verdict against Microsoft in May 2024, finding infringement by the Cortana personal assistant software. In the tracked case, Multimedia Technologies Pte. Ltd. v. VIZIO, Inc., he is defending VIZIO against claims of infringement related to smart TV technology and is counsel in related IPRs filed by VIZIO.

He earned his J.D. from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (now Texas A&M University School of Law) and a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Mr. Hartsell is admitted to practice in Texas, before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and several federal district courts.