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Steve Helmer rejoined Greenblum & Bernstein in 2025 as Of Counsel, following more than two decades as in-house IP counsel.  He is a seasoned patent attorney with more than 30 years of experience spanning the pharmaceutical, chemical, biotechnology, medical device, and engineering fields.

Steve’s practice focuses on strategic patent portfolio development, including drafting and prosecuting patent applications.  He has worked closely with R&D teams, led invention disclosure and review processes, provided IP training, and conducted patentability, freedom-to-operate, validity, and infringement analyses.  His background also includes IP litigation, including overseeing several as in-house counsel and in the trenches while at a major law firm. 

Steve’s in-house experience includes over ten years as the sole in-house counsel at a publicly traded biopharmaceutical corporation, giving him a business-driven perspective to legal strategy.  He has led and supported a wide range of transactions—including licenses, asset sales, and acquisitions—ensuring that IP considerations support the client’s commercial objectives.

Notable

  • Blend of patent examiner, law firm, and in-house experience, including more than ten years as sole in-house counsel at a publicly traded biopharmaceutical corporation

Experience

  • Of Counsel, Greenblum and Bernstein, P.L.C. – 2025 – present
  • Vice President & Chief Patent Counsel, DURECT Corporation – 2010-2025
  • IP Counsel, Life Technologies – 2009-2010
  • Patent Counsel, Nektar Therapeutics – 2004-2009
  • Associate, Fleshner & Kim, LLP – 2003-2004
  • Associate, Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP – 2001-2003
  • Associate, Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C. – 1996 – 2001
  • Patent Examiner, US Patent & Trademark Office – 1994 – 1996 (Adhesive Bonding and Misc. Chemical Manufacturing)

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • American Intellectual Property Law Association

Representative Publications

  • Author, “Navigating Post-Allowance Procedures, Including Issuance, Certificates of Correction, Reissues, Disclaimers, and Maintenance Fees,” PRACTICAL PATENT PROSECUTION TRAINING FOR NEW LAWYERS (2004).
  • Author, “Work Effectively with Your Patent Attorney,” CHEMICAL ENGINEERING PROGRESS, 99(4):70-74 (2003) (cover story).
  • Co-author, “Statement of the P.T.O.S. on Proposed Corporatization of the U.S.P.T.O.,” 78 JPTOS 5 (1996) (written testimony solicited by House Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property).