For decades, Steve has used his deep intellectual property experience and his blend of litigation and counseling skills to guide clients across IP disciplines, from high-stakes trademark and copyright litigation to contentious and non-contentious US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) proceedings to brand-building to IP transactions.

Steve has 35 years of experience representing a broad base of clients in intellectual property litigation, prosecution, and counseling. He practices in a range of IP related areas, with an emphasis on trademark, trade dress, copyright, domain name, and technology litigation and dispute resolution. He is also knowledgeable about IP audits and policies; clearance, registration, and management of IP assets; intellectual property and technology licenses, transfers, and agreements; and counseling on advertising and promotions, including consumer sweepstakes. Numerous ranking and other publications, including Chambers, Legal 500, and Best Lawyers, recognize him as an industry leader. World Trademark Review 1000 has remarked that he “never falters under pressure” (2024) and, while “noted for his prosecution prowess and ability to secure [] value for brands’ IP assets,” is “equally skilled in trademark litigation” (2023).

Bar Admissions

Education
JD, Harvard Law School, cum laude, 1989

BA, University of Virginia, Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude, 1985

• Represented numerous plaintiffs and defendants successfully in litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and administrative proceedings relating to trademarks, trade dress, copyrights, and technology licenses and agreements.
• Represented Fortune 100 company in multiple federal lawsuits to enforce its trademark, trade dress, copyright, and design patent rights, obtaining preliminary injunctions and favorable settlements.
• Defended Fortune 100 consumer products company against federal and state trademark infringement and dilution claims asserted by national competitor, obtaining summary judgment on all claims, and affirmance on appeal.
• Represented national lawn care products company in federal lawsuits in various jurisdictions to protect its trademark, trade dress, and copyright rights, and to protect against deceptive competitor advertising, obtaining preliminary injunctions and favorable settlements.
• Represented award-winning restaurateur in litigation to enforce trademark and domain name rights.
• Represented software developers, consumer products retailers, and other companies in intellectual property, domain name, and advertising disputes in federal courts, state courts, alternative dispute resolution, mediation, and ICANN proceedings.
• Conducted intellectual property and website audits and developed intellectual property policies for numerous companies.
• Assisted numerous companies in the clearance, registration and maintenance of trademarks in the United States and worldwide.
• Assisted Fortune 250 financial services company in clearing and registering new corporate name and service mark in the United States and worldwide.
• Assisted large energy company in trademark maintenance, disputes, and name change.
• Assisted international charity in global name change, including worldwide clearance, registration, and licensing.
• Developed and negotiated intellectual property and technology licenses and agreements for numerous owners and users of intellectual property and technology, including software licenses, outsourcing agreements, employee and independent contractor agreements, e-commerce agreements, Web site development and linking agreements, and other Internet agreements.
• Reviewed proposed advertising, promotional, and sweepstakes materials for consumer products companies, Internet companies, advertising agencies, and professional sports leagues.
• Published Opinions: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP v. von Drehle Corp., 618 F.3d 441 (4th Cir. 2010), 710 F.3d 527 (4th Cir. 2013). In enMotion® dispenser stuffing case, obtained reversal of summary judgment for von Drehle on Georgia-Pacific's contributory trademark infringement and tortious interference claims and affirmance of summary judgment for Georgia-Pacific on von Drehle's deceptive trade practices counterclaim. Later obtained reversal of trial court’s judgment for von Drehle and reinstatement of jury verdict for Georgia-Pacific on its trademark and tortious interference claims.
• Published Opinion: CFA Institute v. Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India, 551 F.3d 285 (4th Cir. 2009).
• Published Opinion: Circuit City Stores, Inc. v. Speedy Car-X, Inc., 35 U.S.P.Q.2d 1703 (E.D. Va. 1995). After bench trial, obtained dismissal of Circuit City's action for declaratory judgment that its CARMAX mark did not infringe Speedy's CAR-X mark on ground that Circuit City failed to establish case or controversy.
• Published Opinion: Playtex Products, Inc. v. Georgia-Pacific Corp., 67 U.S.P.Q.2d 1923 (S.D.N.Y. 2003), aff'd, 390 F.3d 158 (2d Cir. 2004). Obtained summary judgment for Georgia-Pacific on all of Playtex's federal and state claims - Georgia-Pacific's QUILTED NORTHERN MOIST-ONES mark did not infringe or dilute Playtex's WET ONES mark. Obtained affirmance from Second Circuit.
• Published Opinion: Takeall v. Pepsico, Inc., 809 F. Supp. 19 (D. Md. 1992), aff'd, 14 F.3d 596 (4th Cir. 1993), cert. denied, 512 U.S. 1236 (1994). Obtained summary judgment for Pepsico on plaintiff's copyright claims related to Diet Pepsi commercials featuring Ray Charles and "You got the right one, Baby, uh-huh!" slogan.
• Published Opinion: Westvaco Corp. v. International Paper Co., 31 U.S.P.Q.2d 1798 (E.D. Va. 1994). On remand from court of appeals, defeated International Paper's motion for attorney's fees in patent infringement case.

• Member, International Trademark Association, ABA Intellectual Property Law Section, and American Intellectual Property Law Association
• Member, International Trademark Association Features Subcommittee
• Council Member, Virginia Bar Association Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law Section Council
• Past Member, Board of Directors, Virginia State Bar Intellectual Property Law Section
• Permanent Member, Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference
• Member, The Historical Society of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
• Past Member, Merit Selection Panel, US District Court, Eastern District of Virginia (2011)
• Past President, Harvard Law School Association of Virginia

• Leader in the Field, Intellectual Property, Virginia, Chambers USA: Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017
• Named “Richmond Copyright Lawyer of the Year,” Best Lawyers, 2012
• Named to Virginia’s “Legal Elite,” Intellectual Property Law, Virginia Business, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014
• Selected for inclusion as a “Best Lawyer,” Copyright Law, Intellectual Property Litigation, Trademark Law and Intellectual Property Law, The Best Lawyers in America, 2007-2017. A description of the selection methodology can be found on Best Lawyers’ webpage.
• Selected for inclusion as a “Virginia Super Lawyer,” Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property Litigation, Virginia Super Lawyers magazine, 2011-2017
• Selected for inclusion, Legal 500, Intellectual Property – Copyright, 2011
• Selected for inclusion, “Virginia’s Best Lawyers,” Intellectual Property Law, 2010, 2011
• Best Overall Team, Ames Moot Court Competition, Harvard Law School, 1988

• 2016 Eastern District of Virginia Intellectual Property Year in Review
• 2015 Eastern District of Virginia Intellectual Property Year in Review
• 2017 Eastern District of Virginia Intellectual Property Year in Review
• Understanding Copyrights and Trademarks, Journal of Local Government Law
• Trump’s Trademark Registrations Reveal Breadth of His Brand Strategy, BNA's Patent, Trademark & Copyright Journal
• Legal Trends for Sweepstakes, Giveaways, and Online Contests, ICLE Course Materials
• Supreme Court Denies Cert in Cariou Fair Use Case: What Next?, Intellectual Property Magazine
• Copyright Fair Use: More Complex Than Ever? Corporate Counsel
• 2012 Eastern District of Virginia Intellectual Property Year In Review