Stephen M. Hankins

Steve Hankins has tried intellectual property, antitrust and employment cases for the last 25 years.  He can reduce complex technology to key understandable concepts quickly and effectively.  Peers, clients, adversaries, as well as juries and judges, praise Steve for his ability to listen and teach with empathy and humor.  In addition to first chairing over 20 matters through trial or appeal, Steve has counselled clients on IP enforcement strategies and IP transactions as well as on departing and whistle blowing employees.  He also serves as outside general counsel for several large companies on all types of California-specific legal matters. 

Steve is one of the founding attorneys at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila.  Before that, Steve served as IP Group Leader, Executive Committee Member, and SF Coordinating Partner at Schiff Hardin from 2007-2015. 

Before Schiff, Steve worked for Morgenstein & Jubelirer from 1994-2007.  He was managing partner there from 2000-2005.  He started his career at Heller Ehrman where he worked on First Amendment and trademark matters from 1991-1994.

An avid competitor, Steve can be seen on long distance endurance sports courses throughout North America.