Application writer and searcher

Stephen W. Knuth

**** ****** ******

Alexandria, Virginia 22312

Cell: 703-***-****

E-mail: *************@*****.***

SUMMARY

High level professional with 10 years experience working in the patent law field as a searcher, application writer, patent examiner, new business development representative and search supervisor interested in taking on new contract and noncontract application writing and search work. I currently have originally authored over 120 patents that have been issued to date.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

11/2008-Present Independent Contractor and solo Application Writer, Searcher and Analyst Will perform search work and application writing for a wide range of technologies that include mechanical, chemical, finance, business process, business method, engineering, computer, semiconductor and telecommunications inventions. Will also give an informal patentability opinion regarding potential patentability of search results if needed. I have also received state-of-the-art training from the latest USPTO searcher course on searching methods and techniques using EAST and WEST in May 2009 by the USPTO.

08/1998-11/2008 Litman Law Offices, Arlington, VA.

Searcher, Application Writer, New Business Development Representative and Search Supervisor Started as a patent searcher for 6 months and developed into an application writer for 8 years writing patent applications for basic mechanical, complex mechanical, chemical, electrical, business method, engineering, computer, semiconductor, software, games and communications inventions. I also worked as a searcher supervisor and new business development representative for 2 years. I reviewed and analyzed the performed searches and would also give an informal patentability opinion to the client as to whether the client should proceed with pursuing a patent application based on the client’s business strategy and needs. I also reviewed searches (for proofreading and technical accuracy) for mechanical, chemical, finance, business process, business method, engineering, computer, semiconductor and communications searches.

08/1997-07/1998 U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Crystal City, VA. Patent Examiner. Was a patent examiner in Class 705 to evaluate cutting edge financial and accounting related inventions and completed the USPTO Patent Academy.

02/1993-07/1996 Equifax Commercial Specialists, Richmond, VA and Arlington,VA Loss Control Consultant. Performed risk evaluation and profitability assessments for mid-sized property and casualty insurance accounts. Territory included Virginia and North Carolina.

06/1985-08/1990 CIGNA and USF&G Insurance Co. Richmond, VA Loss Control Consultant

Completed the company’s 1 year training program for the position. Performed risk evaluation and profitability analysis for large to small commercial accounts from an insurance standpoint. Helped determine whether new business was written and if current business was kept. I exclusively worked on Fortune 500 and other large accounts for the last 2 years I was with the company.

8/1984-6/1985 Midlothian High School, Midlothian VA (a suburb of Richmond, VA). Chemistry Teacher. Taught Basic and Honors Level Chemistry.

EDUCATION

6/1992-01/1993 Goethe Institute, Berlin and Frankfurt Germany, Introductory and Intermediate level coursework in German. Approximately 20-25 classroom hours per week in a total emersion German language setting for preparation for the Zertifikat Deutche als Fremdsprache (ZDaF) fluency exam.

8/1990-5/1992 Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN , MBA in Finance. Also completed advanced Accounting coursework in addition to the core business curriculum.

8/1980-6/1984 Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA BA in Chemistry. Also completed additional engineering and business coursework. Completed a 6 month co-op with Eastman Kodak as a Chemical Engineering Intern.

8/1979-5/1980 Hobart College, Geneva, NY Chemistry Major for 1 year. 3.0/4.0 Overall GPA. Also earned a partial athletic scholarship on the Division 2 National Championship Lacrosse team.

PERSONAL

Professional and personal references are available upon request. I have authored approximately 120 issued patents of all technologies, with approximately half of the issued patents being simple mechanical gadgets and games. I am also sitting for the patent law bar exam later this month.