Stephanie Sanders is a leader in intellectual property operations and patent practice management, with a long track record of driving operational success and recruiting top talent for market-leading practices. Leveraging a deep understanding of both IP law and attorney-client relationships, Stephanie supports the firm's strategic goals in patent prosecution and portfolio management, business and professional development, and budgetary and personnel supervision.
Before joining DWT, Stephanie worked at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where she helped shape IP policymaking, particularly around AI and emerging technologies. She also has extensive experience in private practice, both as an IP operations leader and a patent lawyer.
Stephanie is widely regarded as a thought leader in IP operations—she contributes regularly to industry committees, presents at conferences, and publishes insights on best practices in portfolio management and IP technology implementation. Her approach emphasizes professional development for attorneys, collaborative client success, and the adoption of cutting-edge tools to enhance results and streamline costs in patent prosecution and other processes.
Admitted to Practice
-
District of Columbia
-
New York
-
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Education
-
J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 2005, with Honors
- Executive Notes Editor, American Intellectual Property Law Association Quarterly Journal
-
B.S., Computer Engineering, State University of New York at Binghamton, 2001, cum laude
Memberships & Affiliations
-
- Emerging Technology Subcommittee, American Intellectual Property Law Association
- Co-chair, Economic Survey Committee, American Intellectual Property Law Association, 2019
- Founder and Co-chair, IP Committee, Corporate Legal Operations Consortium, 2017-2024
- Lead, Technology Task Force of Corporate IP Management and Operations Committee, Intellectual Property Owners, 2022-2024
Background
-
- Patent Attorney, Office of Policy and International Affairs, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Alexandria, Va., 2024-2025
- Managing Director, Americas IP Operations Leader, Ernst & Young LLP, McLean, Va., 2022-2024
- Global Patent Operations Chief, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, Washington, D.C., 2017-2022
- Director of IP Operations, 2016-2017; IP Training Manager, 2013-2016 – Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, Washington, D.C.
- Associate, Arent Fox LLP (now ArentFox Schiff), Washington, D.C., 2009-2013
- Professorial Lecturer in Law, The George Washington University Law School, Washington, D.C., 2009-2010
- Associate, Fish & Richardson P.C., Washington, D.C., 2005-2009
- Patent Examiner, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Arlington, Va., 2001-2002