Richard Stempkovski
Phone: 612.767.2522
Email: rstempkovski@dbclaw.com
Practice Areas
- Patents
- Portfolio Management
- Rights Enforcement
- Trademarks
- Copyrights
Technology Areas
- Mechanical
- Medical Devices
- Chemical and Materials Science
Admissions and Affiliations
- United States Patent and Trademark Office
- Minnesota
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
- Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association
Education
- B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, 1986
- J.D., William Mitchell College of Law, 1998
About Richard
Intellectual property counseling followed a successful career as an environmental consultant for Rick. Back in the day at Northeastern University in the mid-80s, a successful cooperative education position as a project engineer for a small environmental consulting firm in New Hampshire was parlayed into a full time, post-graduation position in the firm’s San Francisco bay area office. Subsequent opportunities arose, with Rick climbing the ladder with stops in Denver, Philly and finally the Twin Cities, serving in project manager, engineering manager and operations manager capacities respectively.
Having intended to pursue a law degree in hopes of augmenting his environmental management experience and a jump to a corporate in-house setting, IP course work at William Mitchell became a catalyst for change. Valuable time was spent as an IP intern, then as an IP associate in a small husband and wife led firm. There were incessant claim drafting sessions in what was more characteristic of an old school apprenticeship. Rick’s mentor’s registration number at the USPTO was seventeen thousand and something, his, forty-five thousand and something.
Primary IP focus is on patent prosecution, portfolio management, and opinion work. Rick’s trademark practice is on the uptake, with occasional copyright matters added to the mix.
Numerous teaching moments were had in grades K-8 under the guidance of the nuns at St. Ann, and the Jesuits at Boston College High School. While having had numerous opportunities to assist a variety of car, appliance, home repairs etc. as a child with his dad, most of the heavy lifting was avoided in favor of bike riding and the pursuit of sports. After numerous seasons of youth hockey, the skates were hung up in favor of football cleats in high school. This continued into University where Rick excelled at special teams. After arrival in San Francisco after graduation, rugby became the sport of choice for almost as many years as those spent on hockey and football. While the glory days are past, Rick nonetheless does not shy away from a tough workout in the gym or on the bike.
Rick resides in St. Paul with his wife Anna. Their children Owen & Ivy, and dog Enzo keep life active and amazing.