Pirkey Barber PLLC was named one of the top firms in the country for trademark law in the 2020 edition ofWorld Trademark Review’s WTR 1000. The firm was described as “One of the most stacked trademark outfits in the United States” with “depth and variety of experience provided by each attorney.”
This is the tenth year of the WTR rankingsand the tenth consecutive year that Pirkey Barber has received high marks. The WTR 1000 recognizes firms and individuals for their depth of expertise, market presence and level of work based on extensive research that includes interviews and correspondence with attorneys and clients.
Nationally, the firm achieved Silver status. Regionally, our Texas office earned Gold. In addition, our DC office received the Bronze in “Enforcement and Litigation” and “Prosecution & Strategy in the DC Metro region.”
Of particular note, our 2020 individual attorney honors were again stellar. Lou Pirkey achieved national Gold status in “Prosecution and Strategy” and “Enforcement and Litigation.” Bill Barber received national Gold status in “Enforcement and Litigation.” Barber and Shannon Vale received national Silver status in “Prosecution and Strategy.”
In Texas, Bill Barber, Lou Pirkey and Shannon Vale all achieved Gold, while Steve Meleen, Chris Graff, Chris Kindel and Anna Kuhn earned Silver. Wendy Larson, Jered Matthysse, Sherri Eastley, Steven Espenshade, Travis Wimberly and Alex Bistline were listed among Bronze recipients.
In the DC Metro region, Tara Vold received Silver in both “Prosecution and Strategy” and “Enforcement and Litigation.”
Notable WTR 1000 comments and quotes about our individual attorneys this year include:
- “On prosecution and transactions matters, ‘methodical and detail-oriented.’ [Steven] Espenshade supplies ‘clear, prompt advice and provides solutions, not more problems’ in support of famous brands such as 7-Eleven and top-ranked foreign associates. He is a cogent choice for opinion work.”
- “Focusing primarily on litigation, [Jered] Matthysse is ‘achieving remarkable things in the practice already,’ demonstrating a ‘fine-grained understanding of complex legal issues and a great sense of strategy.’ ‘He secures desired outcomes quickly and efficiently, so you don’t waste time and resources fighting things.’”
- “Anna Kuhn is by far one of the sharpest lawyers out there and an in-house lawyer’s dream. She has experience in-house and so provides exceptionally practical and commercial advice on protection, policing and enforcement that you can immediately forward internally.”
- Travis Wimberly, “a forceful but courteous litigator who ‘crafts highly effective arguments and delivers them skillfully orally and in writing.’”
- Alex Bistline’s “star is ascending rapidly and although she is a relatively junior member of the team, she is taking on important roles in consequential cases. ‘She demonstrates superb trial skills alongside exceptional proficiency in trademark law.’”
- “When it comes to the development and execution of innovative filing strategies, [Chris] Graff leads the way; his brands expertise is extremely refined and is underpinned by unassailable trademark, advertising and competition law knowledge.”
- Sherri Eastley “is great at communicating with business executives and board members. She understands the criticality of intellectual property in creative organizations and comes up with excellent and cost-effective strategic ideas.”
- “Very well-rounded in the practice, Chris [Kindel] can advise on multifaceted matters and is great at seeing the big picture. He’s personable, easy to work with and delivers practical advice within budget.” The WTR noted, “He and internet-related trademark litigation supremo Larson have taken on the mantle of leadership recently, forming a firm management committee also with Matthysse.”
- Steve Meleen “is a go to for gut checks and answers to the questions that CEO’s throw at in-house counsel. Ridiculously smart, he has exceptional litigation judgement and provides sound, thoughtful advice in every situation.” As one client enthuses: “There is nobody I would trust more to handle a complex infringement case.”
- “All these tremendous practitioners take their cue from veterans Pirkey, Vale and Barber, none of whom need any introduction. ‘Lou simply has unbeatable knowledge and experience and is a brilliant litigator and mediator.’ Vale is as business savvy as they come and an authority on global trademark protection and IP transactions. Barber is a top trial lawyer.”