LAWYER PROFILE
Derek C. Stettner

Derek C. Stettner

USA 2026

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Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

USA

Practice Areas

Derek is a seasoned intellectual property attorney with 30 years of experience in guiding clients in protecting and monetizing software, computer, and electrical technologies.

Clients turn to Derek for tactical guidance in the following areas:

- Protecting software, computer, and electrical technologies by securing patent, copyright, and other IP property protection

- Growing and managing large patent portfolios

- Technology and software development, technology escrow, and open-source issues

- Negotiating information technology, data, and intellectual property licenses

- Due diligence, product clearance, and litigation avoidance and support

Career

Prior to joining Michael Best, Derek worked as a law clerk for the Office of Unfair Import Investigations for the U.S. International Trade Commission. He also has served as an engineering technician for the U.S. Army Armament, Munitions and Chemical Command.

Professional Memberships

Member, American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)

Member, International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)

Member, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

Member, Licensing Executives Society (LES)

- Secretary, Mobile and Consumer Electronics Committee, 2017-present

Experience

Managing patent preparation and global prosecution for Fortune 500 and multi-national companies for a variety of software, computer, and electrical technologies.

Preparing, analyzing and negotiating hundreds of software and other IP licenses and agreements.

He has specific experience with information technology (IT) and database systems; browser-wrap and click-wrap contracts; hosting services; SaaS and web services; cloud computing; open source licensing; source code and technology escrows, privacy policies and data security.

Representative technologies include:

- Virtual and augmented reality

- Artificial intelligence applied to virtual assistants and autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle systems

- Wireless communications systems and devices, including LTE and LMR technologies

- Productivity software

- 3D computed tomography, surface scanning, and other medical imaging systems and software

- Vehicle electronics, vehicle control systems and software, vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications

- Medical devices and systems including ophthalmic surgical devices

- MEMS technologies

- Magnetic and ultrasonic sensing technologies

- Cryptography

- Building security and monitoring systems

- Electric power technologies such as generators, switchgear, and solar electric systems

Education

University of New Hampshire School of Law, Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

1994

State University of New York at Buffalo

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

1990

MIT Sloan School of Management

Certificate, MIT Sloan + CSAIL Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy Program

2023

Awards

Best Lawyers, Patent Law (2021-present)

Best Lawyers

2026

The Midwest’s Best Lawyers, Patent Law

Best Lawyers

2021

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the USA

Intellectual Property - Wisconsin

Band 4
Band 4

Individual Editorial
Derek Stettner is an accomplished IP practitioner with ample experience in handling patent prosecution and portfolio management.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Derek is an outstanding source of knowledge when it comes to patent issues.

    Intellectual PropertyChambers Guide to the USA
  • I am always happy to work with Derek. I trust his advice.

    Intellectual PropertyChambers Guide to the USA

Ranked Individuals at Michael Best & Friedrich LLP (49)

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Wisconsin

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