Peter Willsey is a partner in the Litigation department and the chair of the Trademark, Copyright, & Advertising practice group. He joined the Firm in 1999 and is resident in the Washington, DC office.
Mr. Willsey specializes in litigation, counseling and prosecution in the fields of trademark and copyright law. His practice focuses on the selection of company and product names, the development of comprehensive trademark and branding strategies, and formulating strategic approaches for the licensing and enforcement of intellectual property rights. Mr. Willsey has extensive experience handling trademark and copyright litigation matters in federal court and before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. He also manages and oversees domestic and foreign trademark prosecution efforts, and counsels clients on Internet, domain name, and copyright issues.
Mr. Willsey's clients range from emerging start-ups in the technology sector looking to select new product names and logos to established consumer products companies with significant brand protection and enforcement needs. Drawing upon his expertise and experience, he recently taught a course on trademarks and unfair competition as an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia law school. In addition, he has lectured extensively on trademarks and domain names as a speaker at Cooley's Powerful Brands seminar and to classes at George Mason University law school.
Prior to joining Cooley, Mr. Willsey practiced as a litigation associate in the Trademark and Copyright group of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, where he handled numerous trademark, domain name and copyright litigation matters, and devoted significant time to drafting and negotiating intellectual property license agreements.
Mr. Willsey received a JD in 1993 from the University of Richmond School of Law, where he served as a member of the Law Review, the McNeill Honor Society, and as president of the Moot Court Board. He earned a BA degree in Economics from the University of Virginia.
Mr. Willsey is a member of the International Trademark Association and has been named a Washington DC Super Lawyer.
