SLW combines deep technical and scientific expertise with cutting-edge internal systems to deliver high-quality patent prosecution and intellectual property strategy. With a legacy of leadership and a commitment to continuous improvement, SLW is redefining what it means to practice IP law.
Founded in 1993, Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner (SLW) originated not over a conference table but at a Ms. Pac-Man® game where Mike Schwegman, Steve Lundberg, and Warren Woessner, at the time three shareholders at a large Minneapolis IP firm, played and talked about developing a new IP law firm model where the primary focus would be obtaining excellent quality patents along with a commitment to innovation in the practice of IP law.
Today, SLW has grown to over 100 attorneys and patent agents with advanced technical and life science degrees. And, there’s a Ms. Pac-Man® game in the lunchroom.
SLW’s first office was in Minneapolis. In 2004, we opened an office in San Jose, the center of California’s Silicon Valley, under the leadership of shareholders Andre Marais and Garth Vivier. In 2006, our ever expanding cloud office has allowed us to recruit talented attorneys from all over the US, based on their skills, not their location.
Our integrated backbone of internal tools and processes helps our attorneys and staff remain focused on substance and strategy to deliver a high-quality work product cost-effectively, and allows our clients to enjoy the benefits of streamlined portfolio visibility and management. These tools also facilitate our firm’s dispersed geographical footprint, with attorneys working across the country from our cloud office.
The firm has obtained more than 61,450 U.S. patents and more than 53,000 foreign patents in its history.
IAM Patent 1000 National Rankings
U.S. News & World Report
Minnesota
California
Texas
IAM Global Leaders
IAM Patent 1000
IAM Strategy 300
Managing Intellectual Property - IP Stars
National Law Review Go-To Thought Leader Awards