Artificial

Intelligence

Sterne Kessler is not your average IP firm—we are a team of scientists and engineers with a passion for innovation and the law. We are not only using AI, but we are building it too. Through Sterne Kessler Labs, our internal R&D team, we are building, testing, and learning about the latest in AI advances. We are also partnering with the leading AI vendors to evaluate, test, and implement only the best AI-assisted tools. 

Introducing Patent Assist AI

Sterne Kessler’s Patent Assist AI is our proprietary technology that streamlines patent specification drafting and allows our attorneys to focus on what they do best—capturing the invention and ensuring the best possible scope of protection for your IP. Using the latest in security and privacy controls, the Patent Assist AI tool ensures your data is safe and delivers detailed, high-quality, legally-compliant patent documents. 

AI Insights

11.18.2025

Machine-learning-based patents are relatively untested before the courts and USPTO. But the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office have filled the vacuum with some key decisions and guidance…

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10.30.2025

AI technology continues to evolve at rapid rates, presenting novel challenges when preparing robust and forward-thinking patent applications…

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10.23.2025

The EU has created the world’s first sweeping legal framework for AI by adopting the Artificial Intelligence Act. This ambitious blueprint will reshape how companies build, deploy, and protect innovation in the AI age…

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Sterne Kessler keeps you updated on the latest legal trends and developments in IP and AI technology with insights and events. View more on sternekessler.com. 

09.04.2025

Sterne Kessler paired its  IP expertise with IP Copilot’s specialized language models to rethink prior art search with IP Copilot’s AI-Powered Prior Art Search Platform…

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08.14.2025

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued a memorandum to provide reminders to Examiners in software-related arts, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, regarding subject matter eligibility…

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Key Contacts

Daniel S. Block

DIRECTOR

Dan primarily focuses on intellectual property litigation with an emphasis on software and leads Sterne Kessler Labs. Prior to his legal career, Dan was a software developer in the enterprise space. He has experience with a wide variety of computing technologies and programming languages, and practical, real-world experience with various aspects of AI, including development of software, deployment, retrieval augmented generation, prompt engineering, fine tuning of models, and hybrid cloud/local deployments.

Email »   |   +1 202.772.8735   |   LinkedIn »

Michael D. Specht

DIRECTOR

Recognized globally as a leading patent attorney, Mike serves as the firm’s Electronics Practice Group Leader. He focuses on helping clients manage and profit from disruptive technical and legal developments. His first exposure to AI was nearly 30 years ago using AI and neural networks to utilize vast telecom network databases to improve network management. He now helps lead the firm’s effort to develop new AI tools, gaining unique insights to assist clients with their own programs to use, protect, and monetize AI innovations through IP strategy.

Michelle Holoubek

DIRECTOR

AI’s rapid industrial transformation requires a fresh approach to IP. With a background in relativistic physics and computational modeling, Michelle brings over 20 years of experience navigating the evolving AI/deep-learning IP landscape. She works with clients to develop tailored IP solutions to safeguard and commercialize AI technologies through holistic complements of patents, trade secrets, copyrights, and freedom-to-operate strategies. She also advises clients on key IP policy issues, from AI inventorship to open-source licensing, ensuring businesses stay ahead in an AI-driven world.

Email »   |   +1 202.772.8735   |   LinkedIn »