Attorney Bios
 Ronald E. Prass, JrPartner Ron Prass has extensive experience in all major aspects of patent law, including patent preparation and prosecution, patentability opinions, and litigation. In addition, Ron has technical expertise in electrical engineering and computer software and hardware. Ron’s particular technical expertise covers a wide variety of highly-technical subject matter, |
 Ellis B. RamirezPartner Ellis Ramirez has extensive experience in all aspects of patent law, including patent preparation and prosecution; patentability, validity, infringement, and due diligence opinions; strategic patent portfolio development and management; and patent litigation. He also has technical expertise in the areas of electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer software, and mechanical engineering. Ellis’s particular technical expertise covers a variety of highly competitive technologies, including microprocessors; telecommunications; online commerce; image processing; simulation and modeling; network communication; artificial intelligence; medical imaging; power management; and interactive entertainment. Read More Ellis Ramirez >> |
 Stuart I. Smith Partner Stuart Smith has extensive experience in many aspects of patent law, including utility and design patent preparation and prosecution, patentability and infringement opinions, due diligence reviews and patent portfolio management. Prior to pursuing a career in patent law, Stuart practiced law in the field of construction litigation. Stuart has experience in a wide variety of technical areas, including manufacturing equipment, photocopier systems, ink jet and laser printing systems, image processing systems, weapon systems, systems for processing materials using explosive forces, motorcycle parts, automotive systems including hybrid transmission systems, automotive tires, electric power systems, personal care products, business methods, magnetic transmission systems, and electric motors. Read More Stuart Smith >> |
 Richard A. Castellano Partner Richard Castellano has extensive experience in all major aspects of patent law, including utility and design patent preparation and prosecution, opinion counseling and due diligence efforts, and patent litigation. Rich has prepared a significant number of patentability, validity, and infringement opinions; and has served on several successful litigation and trial teams. Rich has a background in chemistry and biochemistry, and has prosecution and litigation experience in chemicals and chemical processes, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. In addition to his chemical background, Rich has extensive prosecution and litigation experience in a wide variety of technical fields including medical devices, nanotechnology, printing technology, semiconductors and semiconductor processing, computers, software and Internet-related technologies, automation and control systems, security, telecommunications, networks and particularly wireless networks, data storage, display systems, gaming software and hardware, imaging, optics, heat exchange systems, automotive, industrial and manufacturing equipment, and consumer products. Read More Richard A. Castellano >> |
 Daniel A. Tanner, IIIPartner Dan Tanner has extensive experience in the full range of patent development, acquisition, defense and enforcement services. Dan has represented a large and diverse group of U.S. and international clients, from large multi-national corporations to individual inventors and entrepreneurs. Dan is available to provide all manner of strategic client portfolio counseling, including comprehensive legal opinions on patent validity, patent infringement, patentability, freedom to operate, and licensing. Dan's widely-varied technical areas of expertise with mechanical and electrical inventions include: gas turbine engines; hybrid vehicle and electric vehicles; image forming devices; aircraft preflight planning and flight crew coordination methods and support systems; voice and data acquisition systems; communications; personal security identification; document security; aerial system collision avoidance systems and enhancements for unmanned aerial vehicles; HVAC&R systems, particularly for large computer data centers; and medical devices including in the areas of RF electrosurgery, stents and intravenous drug delivery. Dan's patent litigation experience includes drafting complex expert reports, detailed briefs in support of Motions for Summary Judgment, and Markman briefs. Dan has led detailed document review efforts in complex litigation matters, and has prepared numerous fact and expert witnesses for deposition and trial testimony. Dan was the lead associate for representation of an international client including successfully resolving binding arbitration matters before an arbitration panel of three retired judges. Read More Dan A. Tanner >> |
 Michael J. StegerPartner Michael J. Steger focuses his practice on client counseling in all phases of preparation and prosecution of patent applications, including appellate practice before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences. Michael has extensive experience representing both foreign and domestic Fortune 500 companies. He has prosecuted, and written, numerous patent applications and has prepared opinions concerning patentability, infringement, and freedom-to-operate. Michael has also conducted oral arguments before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences. Michael has a background in mechanical engineering. Michael's particular technical expertise covers a wide variety of highly-technical subject matter, including telecommunication systems and devices, wireless networking, computer software and data processors, social networking, collaborative filtering, gaming software, GPS technologies, semiconductors, semiconductor processing, imaging devices and exposure methodologies, laser printers, facsimile devices, automotive components and systems, medical devices, LCD, LED and OLED display technologies, HVAC systems, and golf equipment. Read More Michael J. Steger >> |
 David TranOf Counsel David Tran is Of Counsel with Prass, LLP. David is registered with the Patent and Trademarks Office (USPTO) and is licensed to practice law in California. David's Intellectual Property law practice includes patent preparation, prosecution and strategic IP counseling including portfolio development, due diligence, validity and non-infringement opinions, freedom to operate, and international patent prosecution. David has prosecuted patents for many major corporations and start-up companies located in Silicon Valley in the areas of computer architecture, network communication, low-power mobile computing, storage technology, online marketplaces, social networking, databases, e-commerce, electronic payments, broadcast communication, medical devices, operating systems, and other software-related technologies. Read More David Tran >> |