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Holmes_Stephen

Stephen J. Holmes

PartnerBoston, Providence

Stephen Holmes is a Partner in Hinckley Allen’s Corporate & Business Group. Prior to joining Hinckley Allen, Steve spent 30 years in private practice. He has been recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America® since 2009, named Lawyer of the Year in 2014, 2016, 2022, and 2023. He has also been selected by Super Lawyers® for Intellectual Property in Rhode Island since 2011. Steve concentrates his practice in the areas of patent and trademark prosecution, counseling clients ranging in size from sole proprietorships to Fortune 500 corporations, but also has significant litigation experience providing critical support for litigation counsel during fact and expert discovery, Markman hearings and trial. He also has experience with post grant proceedings including reissue applications, Inter Partes Reexaminations, and interferences.

Steve has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and also has extensive technical prosecution experience in fiber optic lasers and amplifiers, rare-earth doped fibers, fiber optic telecommunication modules, LED lighting devices, vertical cavity lasers, collision avoidance and ranging systems for drone aircraft, anti-counterfeiting technologies for currency, aerosol and liquid dispensing closures, ready to assemble furniture, automotive and industrial filter components and knitted wire mesh products. On the trademark side, Steve has helped build and maintain trademark portfolios both domestically and internationally for several Fortune 500 companies, and actively assists current clients in protection of their brands through a variety of legal procedures.

Credentials

Work Experience

  • Hinckley Allen
    • Partner (2023-Present)
  • Barlow, Josephs & Holmes, Ltd.
    • Managing Partner (1998-2023)
  • Salter & Michaelson
    • Partner (1991-1998)
  • Digital Equipment Corporation
    • Patent Agent (1990-1991)

Honors & Awards

  • Best Lawyers in America® (2009-2025)
    • Lawyer of the Year (2014, 2016, 2022, 2023, 2025)
    • Copyright Law
    • Patent Law
    • Trademark Law
  • Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for the category of Intellectual Property
  • Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, Go To Intellectual Property Lawyer (2023)
  • Super Lawyers®
    • Patent, Copyright and Trademark Law (2009-2022)
  • Providence Business News, Top IP Lawyers (2016-2019)
  • Rhode Island Monthly, Top Attorneys in RI (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017-2019)
  • Boston Globe, Best Lawyers in New England (2017)
  • The Wall Street Journal, New England Lawyer of the Year (2016)
  • The Legal Network, Top Lawyers in RI (2013, 2015-2016)

Charitable & Civic Involvement

  • Revere Youth Soccer / Mass. Youth Soccer, President and Registrar (2000-2007)

Professional Affiliations

  • American Intellectual Property Lawyers Association
  • Boston Intellectual Property Law Association
  • Boston Patent Law Association
  • International Trademark Association
  • Massachusetts Bar Association
  • Rhode Island Bar Association

Bar Memberships

  • Massachusetts
  • Massachusetts Supreme Court
  • Rhode Island
  • Rhode Island Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
  • United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island
  • United States Patent & Trademark Office

Newsroom

Firm News

Hinckley Allen Attorneys Shine in 2025 Edition of Best Lawyers®

Hinckley Allen is pleased to announce that over 100 attorneys are recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in America®, including 14 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch.” This recognition, marking the largest group of attorneys honor…

Firm News

Thirty Hinckley Allen Lawyers Honored in Chambers USA 2024 for Excellence in Legal Services

Hinckley Allen is pleased to announce that 30 of our attorneys and 6 of our practices across four states have been ranked in Chambers & Partners USA Legal Guide in its annual listing of leading lawyers for business.Published annually, the guide recogni…

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