Skip to content
DWT logo
People Services Insights
About Offices Careers
Search
People
Services
Insights
About
Offices
Careers
Search
Desktop Image: Kearns, Wendy
Mobile Image: Kearns, Wendy

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.
  •  

Download vCard Download bio Print this page
Share

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.

Licensing transactions

Drafted and negotiated various licensing agreements across technology and intellectual property types, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, content, data, branding, entertainment, and music. (1999-present)

Cloud services agreements

Handled sales, licensing, privacy, and security issues in dozens of complex transactions for cloud service providers. Additional experience in business policy and form development for cloud services. (2007-present)

Software licensing and development

Drafted and negotiated software licensing, software services, and development agreements for product developers as well as licensees. (1999-present)

Marketing and promotions counseling and transactions

Handled marketing issues for a number of companies and properties across industries, including trademark licenses, drafting and structuring marketing agreements, clearing marketing materials, securing celebrity endorsements, and negotiating artist engagements. Managed and advised on marketing events, co-branding relationships, promotions, and social media issues. (1999-present)

Video game industry agreements

Represented multiple game developers and major platform owners in game development agreements. Extensive experience in video game marketing and advertising transactions and counseling. (2005-present)
Searching...

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
Searching...
AI Across Industries
02.26.25
Webinars
Artificial Intelligence
"Foundations of AI: What Tax-Exempt Organizations Need to Know," AI Across Industries, Davis Wright Tremaine Webinar Read More
10.10.24
Presentations
Moderator, "Mind Reading in the Office: The Rise of Workplace Neurotechnology," DOWNLOAD/NY Digital Tech Conference
06.18.24
Presentations
Moderator, "Neurotechnology in the Workplace: A Futuristic Reality," Minority Corporate Counsel Association's Global Tec Forum
Publications
04.16.24
News
Wendy Kearns Named Seattle Partner-in-Charge at Davis Wright Tremaine Read More
Digital abstract pattern
10.31.23
Advisories
Privacy & Security
Neurotechnology in the Workplace: A Futuristic Reality Read More
Presentation
10.31.23
Presentations
Presenter, "Drafting Indemnification and Hold Harmless Provisions in Commercial Contracts: Negotiating Scope and Exclusions, Allocating Costs, Overcoming Enforcement Hurdles, Interplay With Insurance," Strafford Read More External Link
10.12.23
Presentations
Panelist, "Predictions, Hallucinations, and Productivity," DOWNLOAD/NY
09.20.23
Presentations
Panelist, "Drivers of Change in the Legal Profession and Legal Education (North America)," International Bar Association Webinar
August 2023
Podcasts
Technology
"My Best Work Will Never See the Light of Day: Advice from Successful Contract Attorneys," The Dotted Line, Season 2, Episode 12 Read More
08.21.23
Insights
Litigation & Regulatory Risk
D.C. Federal District Court Holds Work Created Entirely by an AI System Cannot Be Copyrighted Read More
August 2023
Podcasts
Technology
"To Subscribe, or Unsubscribe? That is the Question," The Dotted Line, Season 2, Episode 11 Read More
Publications
08.17.23
News
2024 Edition of Best Lawyers Recognizes More Than 175 Davis Wright Tremaine Attorneys for Excellence Read More
Your search returned no results. Please try another search or remove search criteria.
DWT logo
©1996-2025 Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Attorney Advertising. Not intended as legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Media Kit Affiliations Legal notices
Privacy policy Employees DWT Collaborate EEO

SUBSCRIBE
©1996-2025 Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Attorney Advertising. Not intended as legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.