Steve holds a BSEE and a BS in finance from Auburn University, and was a software engineer in the aerospace industry before obtaining an MBA and law degree from Baylor University. He has deep intellectual property experience, having worked for major law firms with clients across a wide range of technologies and industries. He has executed multiple licensing agreements and has represented a host of independent inventors and high tech companies - from software development to construction to biotech.

Steve has been "second chair" in intellectual property litigation, providing advice and counsel to lead trial attorneys on claims in dispute and patent prosecution procedure.

Payne holds a BA in journalism and a MA in political science from Texas A&M University; and an MBA in finance from Southern Methodist University. He has deep experience as an economic damages expert, having worked in a "Big 4" professional services firm and as an internal litigation financial advisor with a major Texas law firm. He has testified multiple times and is one of a select group in the United States to hold the credential of Certified Forensic Financial Analyst (CFFA) which is a certification specifically for experts in economic damages. He has represented major Texas universities in the marketing of their intellectual property in a wide range of technologies, and was also the lead professional in the Southwest Region for the intellectual property consulting service of a Big 4 professional services firm.

A former newspaper reporter, Payne is a New York Times bestselling author whose techno-thriller novels include Storming Intrepid, Thunder of Erebus, Black Cipher and Forbidden Summit. His works have been translated in seven languages