Kenneth L.Wilton

he/him/his

Partner

Ken's breadth of knowledge across the entire IP spectrum makes him a unique resource in what has rapidly become a highly specialized field.


More About Ken

Intellectual property is the most valuable asset owned by most organizations. While focused primarily on the protection of trademarks, Ken’s experience in the related IP fields allows him to provide counsel that addresses the varied means of protecting intangible assets. With a strong background in computer programming, math and science, he understands how technology impacts organizations, and advises clients on how their IP rights can be protected in an interconnected world.

Working with a variety of clients in the pharmaceutical, consumer product, and alcoholic beverage spaces, Ken focuses primarily on trademark, false advertising, copyright, and right of publicity counseling and litigation. Ken‘s trademark practice is international in scope, and his recognition of the differences and interplay between litigation in specific jurisdictions, and how those differences can be leveraged, has proved invaluable in addressing cross-border intellectual property matters. Domestically, Ken litigates infringement and counterfeiting disputes in the federal courts, and has extensive experience with opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, including more than a dozen trials. He has supervised the conduct of international anti-counterfeiting activities, and has filed or defended more than two dozen proceedings under the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP). Ken has advised on and litigated a wide variety of comparative advertising issues, including establishment and product line claims. He regularly counsels clients in the social media space, particularly in connection with influencer marketing issues.

A commitment to client service forms the foundation of Ken’s practice. He works with his clients to understand their needs and preferred methods of practice, whether partnering with the CEO of a small corporation, or the in-house counsel for a large one. He uses Seyfarth‘s technology tools to create a frictionless environment where client needs can be met on their own terms.

As Seyfarth's Trademark practice lead, Ken leads a robust national practice. Ken co-founded Seyfarth’s Advertising & Marketing group, which brings together Seyfarth attorneys across practices including intellectual property, commercial litigation, and product liability to address the increasing advertising-related challenges faced by clients across all industries.

Additionally, Ken participates in the broader national and international trademark communities. He is a contributing editor for the 2019 edition of the California Education for the Bar’s Internet Law and Practice in California. Previously, Ken was co-chair of the California State Bar’s Internet and Privacy Law committee. He has been an active committee member with the International Trademark Association since 2006, including the Trademark Reporter, Academic, Unfair Competition and Enforcement Committees, and speaks regularly at INTA’s annual and leadership meetings.

Ken was recognized by Best of the Best Lawyers as one of the top 30 United States trademark practitioners in 2019; has been consistently recognized by Who’s Who Legal (Law Business Research Ltd.) (2013-2019) for his work as a trademark attorney; by Managing Intellectual Property as a Trademark “IP Star” (2014-2019); and as one of the World’s Top 1000 Leading Trademark Law Practitioners by World Trademark Review (Law Business Research Ltd.) (2006-2019). Ken has been selected by the Daily Journal as one of the top 75 Intellectual Property Litigators in California (2013). The WTR 1000 (Law Business Research Ltd.) has characterized Ken as a “litigation maven,” identifying him as an effective problem solver who “assesses matters holistically and strikes accurately with incisive arguments.”

Ken is proud to be a part of a firm that constantly seeks to improve—whether this includes making the delivery of legal services more seamless, evolving new roles to best match talent and goals with career paths, or focusing on the need for increased diversity in the legal profession.

  • JD, University of California, Hastings College of the Law

    Comm/Ent Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal, editor-in-chief (1985-1986)

  • BA, University of California, Los Angeles
    History
  • California
  • US Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • US Tax Court
  • US District Court, Central District of California
  • US District Court, Eastern District of California
  • US District Court, Northern District of California
  • US District Court, Southern District of California
  • US District Court, District of Colorado
  • US District Court, Eastern District of Texas
  • California Supreme Court