About Stephen
Stephen Mahan combines technical training and legal education in a career that sits squarely at the intersection of engineering and intellectual property law. He built a foundation in engineering before turning to law, following a path common to attorneys who work on complex technical inventions. The mix of degrees gives him a fluent grasp of both technical detail and legal doctrine.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, University Park. He then pursued a Master of Science in Engineering at Cornell University. After completing those technical degrees he attended Michigan State University College of Law, where he earned his J.D. The sequence of studies reflects sustained preparation for matters that require both technical literacy and legal analysis.
Those credentials led him toward patent practice. He is licensed to practice law in Michigan. In addition, he is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office under Registration No. 56,565. That USPTO registration identifies him as a practitioner able to prosecute patent applications and represent applicants before the patent office.
Over the course of his work he has handled tasks typical in patent practice. He drafts and prosecutes patent applications, prepares opinions on patentability and validity, and advises on strategies for protecting technical innovations. His training in engineering helps him translate inventors’ concepts into the technical narratives and claims that patent offices require. He routinely reviews technical disclosures and converts them into forms suitable for legal filings.
Colleagues say Mahan approaches technical problems methodically and prefers clear, precise drafting. He works with inventors and in-house teams to turn laboratory results and product features into patent specifications. The practice requires patience and attention to detail. It also requires an ability to explain complex engineering ideas in terms that patent examiners and judges can evaluate.
Outside of client work, he maintains professional memberships that support his practice. He participates in continuing education to stay current on evolving patent law and on procedural developments at the USPTO. He practices in Michigan and represents clients before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He currently practices patent and intellectual property law in Michigan.
