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Overview

Stephen provides clients with comprehensive strategies on intellectual property law issues impacting their businesses.

Stephen specializes in IP strategy, protection, and enforcement, and has developed strategies for protecting billions of dollars’ worth of client sales. He uses a deep understanding of his clients’ businesses to leverage patent and trademark law and solve business issues. He works with many international clients, managing worldwide IP portfolios and foreign and domestic litigations.

Stephen has appeared in many dozens of contested matters in federal district courts and courts of appeals throughout the country, as well as administrative bodies such as the International Trade Commission (ITC), the PTAB, and the TTAB. He has a proven track record of successfully litigating cases with hundreds of millions of dollars at stake.

He has prepared and prosecuted thousands of patent applications in technologies such as computer/Internet, electronics, robotics, materials, medical devices, food services, biotech/pharma, power generation, green technology, and consumer products. His trademark practice includes a vast array of trademark enforcement and anti-counterfeiting policing for brand owners in industries such as fashion, software, biotech, and consumer products. He is regularly engaged for opinion work, including for non-infringement and invalidity issues, as well as licensing and IP due diligence for mergers and acquisitions.

Prior to entering private practice, Stephen worked as a software designer/developer for a pioneering Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company.

Industries

Services

Recognition

  • New England Super Lawyers, Intellectual Property and Intellectual Property Litigation, 2022

Education

  • J.D., Vermont Law School
  • IPSI, University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law
  • B.S., University of Vermont
    • Computer Science

Admissions

  • Connecticut
  • New York
  • Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • Federal Bar Association, IP Section Trademark Committee Chair
  • Federal Bar Association, SDNY Chapter National Delegate and Board Member
  • International Trademark Association
  • Upsilon Pi Upsilon, International Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines


*Stephen works remotely and is licensed in Connecticut, practicing in Stamford. Contact Stephen via email or phone for in-person/virtual meetings. Use our Boston office address for mail/deliveries.

When I worked at a boutique, I had to manage everything from human resources to firm finances. Now I can focus more on client relationships, legal strategy, and business development.

Experience
  • Obtained favorable settlement for medical device manufacturer in five-patent infringement case with nine-figure damages claim directed to integrated operating room technology, following extensive summary judgment, Daubert, and Markman hearings.
  • Implemented patent licensing campaign for internet technologies company, including multi-district federal litigation, resulting in tens of millions in licensing fees from companies around the world.
  • Successfully defended allegations of patent infringement brought by direct competitor. Upon dismissal of case, obtained finding of exceptional case and award of attorneys' fees.
  • Secured permanent injunction and damages award in counterfeiting case for luxury fashion brand, including temporary restraining order on same day complaint was filed providing for immediate shutdown of counterfeit websites.
  • Developed and implemented anti-counterfeiting program for brand company, including monitoring and enforcing trademark rights against counterfeiters.
  • Manage patent portfolio for large, international medical device manufacturer. Draft patent applications on broad range of technologies in the surgical suite, from data transmission to optics to graphical user interfaces.
  • Manage patent portfolio for Fortune Global 500 company in industrial automation and robotics industries, leveraging expertise in patentable subject matter to obtain claims directed to programmed hardware.
  • Manage patent portfolio for international biomedical company, including use of Track 1 to build portfolio in under a year to as company entered competitive US market. Cover various aspects of field from medical devices to chemical compositions to methods of treatment.
  • Successfully performed global rebrand for international industrial machinery company, including search and registrability opinion followed by clearance, prosecution, and acquisition of trademark protection in dozens of jurisdictions.
  • Frequent author of articles on IP strategy.
News Releases | November 14, 2022
Husch Blackwell Adds Two Partners to Its Technology, Manufacturing & Transportation Group
Husch Blackwell is pleased to announce that Stephen Ball and Chris Erker have joined the firm's Technology, Manufacturing & Transportation business unit as partners.
Outside the Office

When he's not working on a client matter, Stephen enjoys spending as much time as possible with his family. He and his wife have three elementary-age daughters, and the family loves to be outdoors. Stephen is particularly fond of taking his girls for family hikes, as well as trips to the beach and pool in the summer.

Community Leadership
  • Vermont Law and Graduate School, Board Member
  • Fraunces Tavern Museum, Law Committee

Stephen has also served as an advisor to various tech incubators, including at the University of Vermont.