Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton

Firm overview:

A stand-out firm for both its contentious and non-contentious trademark work, Kilpatrick is a “pioneer as a top general-service, general-practice firm” according to a peer. Some of the world’s leading brands turn to Kilpatrick for the full spectrum of trademark services on an ongoing basis, benefiting from the might of its 120+ lawyers who specialise in trademark, copyright and advertising law.

Its team currently manages more than 100,000 trademark registrations and applications worldwide and handles more than 13,600 active international trademark disputes across 152 countries. Kilpatrick attorneys have been involved in over 315 trademark and copyright cases in US district courts over the past five years.

Team overview:

Kilpatrick’s 42-partner Trademark and Copyright team has a bench of “absolutely top-drawer” lawyers serving heavyweight brands. A client describes the team as being “incredibly well versed in trademarks and are thoughtful strategists, who provide concise advice, are responsive and friendly”.

Anthony Malutta is co-leader of the Trademark and Copyright team and widely lauded as one of the nation’s top trademark lawyers. Specialising in the strategic management of complex global trademark portfolios for household brands, Malutta is also highly adept at litigating IP disputes before federal courts and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

Fellow California-based co-chair Gwen Peterson has been practising in the IP field for over three decades and focuses predominantly on transactions as well as trademarks. A WIPR 2024 Leader, Peterson works with clients across a broad spectrum of fields from consumer home products to software and financial services.

Charles Hooker and Alicia Grahn Jones co-lead the practice from Atlanta, with representative clients between them including Adidas, Reebok, Delta Air Lines and US Soccer Federation.

Partner Theodore Davis is a revered litigator who is often called upon as an expert witness in trademark matters and has secured wins for clients in a multitude of US courts and legal forums.

Sadly Kilpatrick suffered a great personal and professional loss in September this year with the passing of William (Bill) Brewster, who worked as a trademark attorney for the firm for 37 years and was widely recognised as one of the country’s top trademark and advertising litigators. "It was really crushing... just devastating news," says a peer who worked alongside Brewster on industry matters.

Key matters:

• Kilpatrick advises Delta Air Lines in connection with the prosecution, maintenance and enforcement of its global trademark portfolio, which comprises nearly 1,000 registrations and 150 enforcement matters around the world. Alicia Jones is the lead partner involved.
• The firm has served as outside trademark counsel to Lionsgate and its subsidiary Starz Entertainment for nearly two decades, protecting many of its most popular titles and new releases such as John Wick, Saw and The Hunger Games.
• Byron Belin v Starz Entertainment, et al, No. 23-55372 (9th Cir. 2024)
  Partner Dennis Wilson successfully represented Starz Entertainment, Lionsgate and G-Unit brands et al in a trademark infringement case brought by Byron Belin, who claimed ownership of the ‘BMF’ trademark and alleged infringement of his rights following the release of the TV show BMF (Black Mafia Family) by Starz and Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson. Wilson is representing Starz at the Ninth Circuit in the plaintiff’s appeal of the trial court’s decision.
• Fujifilm North America v PLR IP et al
  Kilpatrick represents Polaroid in a trademark dispute in New York against Fujifilm for its alleged infringement of Polaroid’s Classic Border Logo.
• The firm is primary trademark counsel for multinational US clothing company Hanesbrand. Laura Miller leads a team focused on US trademark portfolio management, which includes brands such as Hanes, Maidenform and Champion.
• Oracle et al v Crypto Oracle
  Oracle has sued encryption start-up Crypto Oracle in California federal court, claiming it infringed its trademarks and ignored previous legal arrangements. Kilpatrick’s Mehrnaz Boroumand Smith represents Oracle.

Clients:

1-800-Flowers, Adidas, Costco, COTY, Wholesale, Delta Air Lines, Dwyer Group, Fanatics, Flowers Bakeries, Formula One, Hanesbrands, Impossible Foods, Krispy Kreme,  Lionsgate, Mondelez, Oxford Industries, Polaroid, Rodan & Fields, Rothy’s, Williams Sonoma.