Maria Anderson is an industry-recognized intellectual property attorney at Knobbe Martens, where she co-founded the firm’s Seattle office. With over 30 years of experience, she has cultivated a practice advising companies at the forefront of technology and innovation, while consistently seeking opportunities to break down barriers for underrepresented groups in the intellectual property space.
Ms. Anderson develops patent and trademark portfolios for a diverse group of clients, from individual inventors to Fortune 5 companies. She has guided innovative clients from the earliest rounds of financing through initial public offering and beyond. Ms. Anderson’s practice spans a wide variety of industries, including consumer electronics, medical devices, food and beverage products, Internet technologies, and AI. Further, she counsels clients on patentability and infringement matters, and develops comprehensive intellectual property programs for pre-litigation, licensing and enforcement/defense purposes. In addition to her patent expertise, Ms. Anderson is adept at handling trademark matters, including registration, enforcement, and litigation. She has a keen eye for brand protection and has helped numerous clients establish and defend their trademarks in competitive markets.
Ms. Anderson holds a J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law and a B.S. in Mathematics with a Computer Science Concentration, which provides her with a unique perspective and a solid foundation in understanding the technical aspects of her clients’ innovations. She is also an active member of various professional organizations and frequently speaks at industry conferences, sharing her knowledge and insights on IP law trends and best practices. She serves on the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC), appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to represent the interests of the public and the stakeholders of the USPTO.
In her role at Knobbe Martens, Ms. Anderson continues to contribute to the firm’s legacy of excellence in IP law, mentoring junior attorneys and staying at the forefront of legal developments to provide the highest level of service to her clients.
University of Texas – Austin, J.D.
University of Washington (UW), B.S., Mathematics, with Computer Science Concentration
State Bar of Washington
U.S. District Court – Western District of Washington
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Advertising, Media & Entertainment
Mobile Applications
Communications Technology
Cellular Networking & Communications
Internet Telephony
Videoconferencing
Wireless Local Area Networks
Consumer Products & Services
Food & Beverage
Restaurants & Hospitality
Electrical, Semiconductor & Computer Technology
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Healthcare Information Technology
Software & IT
Financial Services & Business Methods
Cloud Computing
Dispute Resolution
Licensing & Indemnification
Open Source
Medical Devices & Procedures
Cardiac Rhythm Management
Cardiovascular
Pacemakers & Electrical Stimulation Devices
Transportation & Vehicles
Shipping
Brand Portfolio Management
Brand Search
Design Patents
Due Diligence
Global Portfolio Management
IP Strategy
IP Transactions, Agreements & Venture Capital
Patent Strategy & Prosecution
Patentability
Trademark & Brand Protection
Trademark Enforcement
Trademark Registration
U.S. Patent Prosecution
Ms. Anderson has received multiple awards and has been honored in both national and international forums for her legal accomplishments:
- Recognized as a “’Highly Recommended Individuals” by World Intellectual Property Review – USA Patents Ranking (WIPR) (2024)
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Recognized in the “Best Lawyers 2025 Guide” for Information Technology Law, Patent Law, Technology Law, and Trademark Law in Best Lawyers in America (2024)
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Recognized for outstanding work in patent law in the 2024 edition of the Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) “Patent 1000 Guide” for Prosecution and Transaction (2024)
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Recognized in the “Chambers USA Guide” for Intellectual Property in Washington State IP (2022-2024)
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Recognized by The Legal 500 “United States” for Patent Prosecution (2023-2024)
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Recognized as a Patent Star in Managing IP’s “2024 IP STARS” (2024)
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Recognized as a Patent Star in Managing IP‘s “IP Stars” Guide for her outstanding intellectual property legal work (2013 – 2024)
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Selected as a winner of Profiles In Diversity Journal’s 2023 “Women Worth Watching in Leadership Award”
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Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for her work in Patent Law and Trademark Law (2016 – 2024) and Information Technology Law and Technology Law (2023-2024)
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Named in Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) magazine’s “Global Leaders” guide (2022-2023)
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Named to IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists (2021-2024) which “identifies the individuals who are leading the way in the development and implementation of strategies that maximize the value of IP portfolios”
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Named one of the “World’s Leading Patent Professionals” in the Patent 1000 guide by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) magazine (2012 – 2023) with individual recognition in both transactions and prosecution categories. In the 2023 guide, she was described as “one of the best attorneys out there and is exceptional in every way. She gives clear, business-focused and practical legal advice. Maria is responsive, efficient and her billing is always clear and fair.” In the 2021 guide, she was noted for her “finely cultivated understanding of patents and brands.“
- Named in “IP Stars – Top 250 Women in IP” by Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) (2013 and 2014)
- Named as Washington Law & Politics “Rising Star”, 2002-2003 (2002 Featured Rising Star)
- Named as Washington Law & Politics “Super Lawyer” (2004 – 2007)
- Named as Washington Law & Politics “Top 40 Intellectual Property Super Lawyer” (2007 and 2008)
- Recipient of King County Washington “Women Lawyers President’s Award” (1997)
American Intellectual Property Law Association
King County Washington Women Lawyers
King County Bar Association
Washington State Patent Lawyers Association
ChIPs
