Steven M. Pappas is an associate in Sterne Kessler’s Electronics Practice Group, specializing in software, database, computer networking, and financial technologies. Steve’s practice focuses on patent litigation and patent prosecution. Steve has been involved in dozens of post-grant proceedings (inter partes review and covered business method review proceedings) before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, representing both patent owners and petitioners.

Steve is a PTAB Legal Experience and Advancement Program (LEAP) participant. The program provides associates with training and development opportunities in PTAB proceedings, including oral argument.

Prior to joining Sterne Kessler, Steve worked as a financial technology consultant at GFT USA, where he specialized in the implementation and customization of portfolio accounting systems for hedge funds and prime brokerage firms. He also worked as a software engineer for ZocDoc, where he developed and monitored internal automation tools to improve overall continuous integration efforts.

During his graduate studies at Columbia University, Steve focused on practical software systems, including modern operating systems, database management systems, and web applications. Steve conducted his research on software reliability concerning client-side code within web applications, in which he developed an open-source tool for web developers that provides feedback on common bugs associated with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code in order to ensure best practices are being employed. He received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, his M.S. in computer science from Columbia University, and his B.S.E. in computer science, cum laude, from the University of Michigan.

  • Patexia, “100 Best Performing Attorneys Representing Patent Owners – Inter Partes Review” (2022)
  • Super Lawyers, “Rising Star – Washington D.C.” (2024)

  • J.D., Georgetown University Law Center
  • M.S., Computer Science, Columbia University
  • B.S.E., Computer Science, University of Michigan, cum laude

  • District of Columbia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • United States Patent & Trademark Office

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April 25, 2024

Eighteen Sterne Kessler Attorneys Recognized as 2024 “Super Lawyers” and “Rising Stars”

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April 2, 2024

Sterne Kessler Secures PTAB Win on Behalf of Client RoboticVISIONTech

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November 10, 2022

Patexia Insight 158: Top IPR Firms of 2022

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April 28, 2022

Patent Tribunal Judges Urge Firms to Send Women, Diverse Lawyers

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April 1, 2022

Skilled in the Art With Scott Graham (Apr. 2022)

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Reports

March 7, 2022

2021 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends

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Articles

March 7, 2022

Fintiv Continues To Take Center Stage: The Effect of Parallel Litigation at the PTAB in 2021

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Richard M. Bemben, Steven M. Pappas

Firm News

March 7, 2022

Sterne Kessler Publishes 2021 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends Report

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In the News

April 9, 2021

Take-Two Loses Bid for Tribunal Review of Video Game Patents

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In the News

February 4, 2021

Caterpillar Can't Knock Out Road Milling IP At Fed. Circ.

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In the News

November 23, 2020

Volkswagen Knocks Out 2 Cellular Network Patents At PTAB

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Client Alert

March 4, 2020

IP Hot Topic: 2019 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends

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PTAB Strategies and Insights

February 28, 2020

PTAB Strategies and Insights - February 2020

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February 28, 2020

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Articles

February 27, 2020

Petitioners Beware Discretionary Denial

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Reports

February 25, 2020

2019 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends

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In the News

September 12, 2018

MyMail Computer Toolbar Patent Survives PTAB Challenge

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