Chris Dolan’s clients rely on his practical, business-oriented advice pertaining to trademark and unfair competition litigation, trademark enforcement and trademark counseling matters. His dispute resolution abilities span virtually all phases of trademark and unfair competition cases in federal court, including preliminary injunction actions, bench and jury trials and appellate matters.
Chris has handled dozens of complex trademark disputes before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). He offers deep experience with international trademark disputes, including strategies that have led to precedential decisions abroad. Chris also handles advertising disputes at the district court level and before the Better Business Bureau’s National Advertising Division.
In addition to dispute resolution, Chris advises on IP licensing and other agreements, trademark portfolio management and clearance issues, as well as day-to-day counseling for his clients on trademark, copyright and advertising matters. He also counsels clients on the full array of social media issues, along with trade dress and internet initiatives.
Chris is valued for his understanding of and consideration given to each client’s commercial needs and specific market position. In particular, he focuses on understanding the challenges clients face and offers the flexibility and creativity needed to help them achieve their goals, which can sometimes change and evolve during the course of his representation.
Chris authors the trademark sections of West Group’s Designing An Effective Intellectual Property Compliance Program, part of the Corporate Compliance Series. He also co-authors West Group’s Trademark Practice Throughout the World, a treatise on international trademark issues.
Prior to joining the firm, Chris served as chair of a large trademark and unfair competition group at a prominent national IP boutique.
Education
- George Washington University Law School, J.D., 1999
- Illinois State University, M.S., 1994
- Illinois State University, B.S., 1992
