Introduction

Earlier this year, Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox (“Sterne Kessler”) paired its more than four decades of IP expertise with IP Copilot’s specialized language models to rethink prior art search with IP Copilot’s AI-Powered Prior Art Search Platform. Now, instead of outsourcing multi-week projects, attorneys can run full prior art searches, such as §§102/103 invalidity searches, in a single work session directly from their browser.

The Pain Points

Traditional prior art search tools can leave patent litigators waiting between 3–10 days for results, and require them to sift through long, loosely ranked lists and manually map references to claim limitations. For fast-moving inter partes review (IPR) proceedings, ex parte reexaminations, or district court deadlines, these delays are challenging—and expensive.

“When every hour counts, waiting days for search results just isn’t an option. This
solution delivers the precision we need—and fast—so we can stay ahead in high-stakes
litigation.”

— Daniel Block, Director, Sterne Kessler

Solution Implementation

IP Copilot’s Search Platform was deployed to address these needs. The tool uses domain-tuned machine learning and hosts our own large language models (LLMs) to scan over tens of millions of global patent publications and technical documents, spotting novel prior art patterns that keyword searches might miss. 

From day one, the implementation was a collaborative effort: Sterne Kessler’s patent attorneys became our design partners, providing strategic feedback and insight that helped IP Copilot refine features for real-world legal practice. 

Collaborative sprints with Sterne Kessler’s team drove rapid UX tweaks—SSO, progress indicators, webhooks for billing—and a new scoring model to flag “killer” art.

Our platform only gets sharper every week, as power users push its edges. Sterne Kessler’s feedback shaved months off our roadmap, dramatically improved the experience and increased our search accuracy.

— Austin Walters, Founder & CEO, IP Copilot

Day-to-day impact

Minutes, not days: Invalidity searches can be completed in minutes; internal metrics show search time was slashed from days to minutes. 

Confidence at the point of need: Attorneys can start with a patent number or simple disclosure; AI handles query construction and ranking.

Better client conversations: Rapid landscapes let partners walk into pitch meetings with data in hand, underscoring a tech-forward edge.

More strategic advice: Freed from drudgery, teams redirect hours toward petition drafting and claim strategy.

“Adopting advanced AI solutions improves efficiency and quality, freeing our attorneys
to focus on case strategy and delivering greater value to our clients.”

— Michael Specht, Director and Chair of Electronics Practice Group, Sterne Kessler

Outcomes so far

Hard wins: IP Copilot surfaced prior art missed by legacy searches, and was used in strengthening IPR petitions and Office Action responses.

Seamless adoption: Because of Sterne Kessler’s co-designed features, rollout required virtually no training. Single sign-on (SSO) integration allowed users to register with one click, and begin searching by typing the patent number. Full invalidity searches (35 U.S.C. §§102/103) were completed in a matter of minutes. 

High engagement loop: User requests (batch processing, adjustable breadth, one-click reports) feed directly into IP Copilot’s sprint backlog, ensuring the product evolves with real-world needs.

“Our partnership with IP Copilot goes beyond a traditional vendor relationship—it’s a
true collaboration to create the next generation of AI-powered IP tools,” said Robert
Burger, Chief Operating Officer, Sterne Kessler. “By combining our legal experience
with IP Copilot’s technology, we’re able to deliver solutions that redefine what’s
possible.”

Why it matters

The Sterne Kessler–IP Copilot collaboration shows how human judgment and specialized AI can combine to elevate patent practice. By transforming prior-art search from a bottleneck into a catalyst, the firm delivers faster, more defensible work product and wins new client trust—all while helping IP Copilot iterate at startup speed. It’s a blueprint for law-tech partnerships where everyone—firm, vendor, and clients—moves faster together.

Roadmap

Next on deck:

• Freedom-to-Operate: extending the same engine to clearance analysis. We launched beta testing of the FTO search in August.
• Infringement analysis: instant visibility into who is infringing your portfolio, either with an automated subscription or upload technical documents. Release target is November 2025.
• Bulk & API modes: overnight portfolio sweeps and direct integration with firm systems.

IP Copilot has a team of leading AI / ML experts, which when combined with the legal expertise of Sterne Kessler is a killer combination. Our results reflect that and I’m excited to see how far we can go.

— Austin Walters, Founder & CEO, IP Copilot