About Steven
Steven Rinehart combines technical training and legal education in a steady, practical practice of patent law. He earned his law degree from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law in 2000 after completing an undergraduate program at Brigham Young University in 1997. His undergraduate studies spanned computer science, English, naval science and mathematics, a mix that informs his work today.
Rinehart moved from a broad academic background into intellectual property law. The law degree he received in 2000 paved the way for a career that pairs technical subjects with legal procedure. His undergraduate majors give him fluency in both the technical language of engineers and the written precision that patent drafting requires.
He is listed as a lawyer at Western IP Law in 2007, an early record that places him in private practice doing intellectual property work. That role reflected an interest in patent prosecution and counseling. Records show that by the mid-2000s he was already engaged in preparing and prosecuting patent applications and advising clients on IP strategy.
Rinehart is a registered patent lawyer with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. That credential allows him to represent inventors and companies before the USPTO in patent matters. He also holds admissions to practice in both Utah and Virginia, giving him the ability to work across multiple state jurisdictions while handling federal patent filings.
His practice draws on both technical training and courtroom-adjacent skills. The computer science and mathematics background supports work on software, systems and algorithm inventions. English and naval science add different perspectives on documentation and complex technical systems. He drafts patent applications, responds to USPTO office actions and counsels clients on when to seek patent protection and how to manage portfolios.
Colleagues and clients describe his approach as steady and detail-oriented. He favors clear claim language and methodical prosecution strategies over broad stylistic flourishes. That steadiness can be useful in contentious or high-stakes filings where precision matters.
As of 2026, Rinehart continues to practice patent law, handling patent prosecution and client counseling for technology-focused clients.
