May 2007—Lee & Hayes welcomes more attorneys to patent practice.

Spokane, Washington - Lee & Hayes, PLLC, one of the Northwest’s fastest growing intellectual property law firms, is pleased to announce the addition of two attorneys to its patent practice. In the past six months Jeff Valley has joined our Spokane office and ZeMing Gao has joined us in our Seattle office.

ZeMing M. Gao has an advanced degree in biophysical chemistry from the University of Washington and a JD from the University of Wisconsin School of Law. He also has an advanced degree in quantum chemistry from Jilin University, China and a degree in physics from Lanzhou University, China. ZeMing’s technical expertise is diverse, ranging in technologies from semiconductors to optics to biotechnology. Prior to joining Lee & Hayes, ZeMing was as a patent attorney with IP specialty law firms including Kinney & Lange, PA, and Klarquist Sparkman, LLP.

Jeff Valley’s experience prior to joining Lee & Hayes was as an intellectual property strategist and a manufacturing engineer for Hewlett Packard’s Image and Printing Organization for 10 years. He also worked as a payload integration manager and research and development engineer for Lockheed Martin (formerly General Dynamics) for 11 years. His knowledge in these specific fields will provide our clients with the specification and understanding required when dealing with their technologies.

Founded on the vision of delivering quality, customized IP legal services in a timelier, more efficient and responsive manner, Lee & Hayes has been recognized as an IP legal industry leader. The firm offers tailored patent, transactional, and trademark services that integrate seamlessly with a client's business objectives.