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Desktop Image: Kearns, Wendy
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Wendy Kearns

Partner

Partner-in-Charge, Seattle

T 206.757.8312 Seattle
T 650.352.6430 San Francisco
I've spent my entire life in the technology business, which drives my practical approach to legal counsel.
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Wendy Kearns began work in the technology industry in Silicon Valley as a software developer, software product manager, and a business development manager, and proceeded directly to law school without a college degree. She focuses on technology transactions and helps clients structure and negotiate complex agreements in a variety of technologies including cloud, internet of things, artificial intelligence, technology, media, advertising, video games, data licensing, and other software and hardware related technology fields. Based on her experience in business development, Wendy counsels companies on how to get transactions completed efficiently and effectively to grow and maintain their businesses. Outside of deal work, Wendy helps companies launch new products and features by analyzing legal issues in product development and commercialization. She helps regulated industries bridge knowledge and operational gaps when one party is regulated and the other is not.

Wendy is a frequent speaker at legal technology industry events.

Practice Highlights

Cloud services agreements

Handled sales, licensing, privacy, and security issues in dozens of complex transactions for cloud service providers and customers purchasing cloud services, including IT, IoT and AI deployments. Additional experience in business policy and form development for cloud services.

Fintech across the spectrum

Represented a variety of companies in the fintech space, including established financial institutions, start-up technology companies, and Fortune 100 technology companies in transactions, helping them partner together to develop new solutions and bring new products to market.

Licensing and data transactions

Drafted and negotiated various licensing agreements across technology, data, and intellectual property types, including software, patents, copyrights, trademarks, content, data, branding, entertainment, and music.
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Admitted to Practice

  • Washington, 1999
  • California, 2001
  • Arizona, 2011

Education

  • J.D., Santa Clara University School of Law, 1999
    • Dean's List
    • Managing Editor, High Tech Law Journal

Memberships & Affiliations

    • Board Member; Treasurer, Vashon Center for the Arts, 2018-2020
    • Washington State Advisory Committee, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) 2015-present
    • Volunteer, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, 2004-2012
    • Volunteer Advocates for Immigrant Justice/KIND, 2004-2014
    • Board Member and volunteer positions, Vashon Seals Swim Team, 2010-2014

Professional Recognition

    • Named as one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers in Technology Law, 2021-present; in Communications Law, 2023-present; in Trademark Law, 2023-present; in Privacy and Data Security Law, 2025-present
    • Recognized as a Trailblazer by The American Lawyer, 2021
    • Received the "H. Stewart Tremaine Teamwork & Collegiality Award," Davis Wright Tremaine, 2019
    • Selected to "Washington Rising Stars" in Intellectual Property, Thomson Reuters, 2005-2012
    • Law Firm Excellence Award for Outstanding Outside Counsel, Microsoft Corporation, 2010

Background

    • Managing Member, Snodgrass & Kearns, PLLC, Seattle, 2007-2013
    • Attorney, Heller Ehrman, LLP, Seattle, 2005-2007
    • Attorney, 2003-2005; Business Development Manager for Windows kernel, 2002-2003 – Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash.
    • Attorney, Venture Law Group, Menlo Park, Calif., 1998-2002
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