Washington, DC – February 5, 2026 – In its annual WTR 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals guide, World Trademark Review (WTR) again recognized Cooley’s trademark, copyright and advertising group as a top US practice.

Ranking Cooley highly in California, DC and nationwide for its litigation and portfolio management capabilities, WTR noted: “Boasting one of the deepest benches in the country, Cooley cements its position as a front-runner in the trademark arena. The firm brings agility, efficiency, and decades of refined expertise to bear, striking a deft balance between prosecution and litigation.”

The publication recognized that Cooley’s “top tier trademark portfolio management and litigation services, offering the skill and expertise that you’d expect at a boutique within the framework of a larger law firm that can handle it all. Its practitioners are of the highest caliber and perform exceptionally to get the best results for the client. The work product is always a cut above, and the firm is highly recommended.”

Additionally, WTR highlighted the following Cooley partners and special counsel:

  • Bobby Ghajar – Ranked “Highly Recommended” nationwide, in the Gold band for enforcement and litigation, and the Silver band for prosecution and strategy in California, Bobby was lauded for being a “fierce defender of brands in high-stakes litigation across the country, pairing courtroom tenacity with globally minded, results-driven counsel that spans nearly 200 jurisdictions.”
  • Brendan Hughes – Ranked “Recommended” nationwide, in the Gold band for enforcement and litigation, and in the Silver band for prosecution and strategy in DC, was commended for his “diligence, attention to detail, and sophisticated approach to trademark matters” with an “impressive work ethic, deep command of trademark law, and ability to deliver results.”
  • John Paul Oleksiuk – Ranked in the Silver band for enforcement and litigation, as well as prosecution and strategy, in New York.
  • Brian Focarino – Ranked in the Bronze band for enforcement and litigation in Massachusetts.
  • Susan Piascik Christoff – Ranked in the Silver band for prosecution and strategy in DC, Susan was commended for being “extremely knowledgeable in trademark substantive law and procedure” and for being “detail-oriented and committed to achieving her clients’ objectives.”
  • Rebecca Givner-Forbes – Ranked in the Bronze band for enforcement and litigation in DC, Rebecca was praised for “trademark expertise that spans the full spectrum,” and for being “a pleasure to work with, extremely knowledgeable, and remain[ing] composed under pressure.”
  • Judd Lauter – Ranked in the Bronze band for enforcement and litigation, as well as prosecution and strategy, in California, Lauter was commended for bringing “seasoned insight to federal litigation and TTAB proceedings” and steering “global trademark portfolios for startups and household names with precision and strategic flair.”

Read the full rankings and coverage > 

With 25+ trademark, copyright and advertising (TCA) lawyers and paralegals across the US and UK, Cooley has one of the largest dedicated TCA practice groups among Am Law 50 firms. As a fully integrated, full-service practice, the group represents clients in complex infringement suits where core products and brands are at stake, while also providing prosecution and strategic counseling services that allow clients to maximize their trademark value globally. Cooley’s trademark, copyright, and advertising team also plays a critical role in thousands of high-value financings, M&A deals, capital markets offerings and other transactions.

About Cooley LLP

Clients partner with Cooley on transformative deals, complex IP and regulatory matters, and high-stakes litigation.

Cooley has nearly 1,400 lawyers across 19 offices in the United States, Asia and Europe, and a total workforce of more than 3,000 people.

This content is provided for general informational purposes only, and your access or use of the content does not create an attorney-client relationship between you or your organization and Cooley LLP, Cooley (UK) LLP, or any other affiliated practice or entity (collectively referred to as "Cooley"). By accessing this content, you agree that the information provided does not constitute legal or other professional advice. This content is not a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction, and you should not act or refrain from acting based on this content. This content may be changed without notice. It is not guaranteed to be complete, correct or up to date, and it may not reflect the most current legal developments. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Do not send any confidential information to Cooley, as we do not have any duty to keep any information you provide to us confidential. When advising companies, our attorney-client relationship is with the company, not with any individual. This content may have been generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence (Al) in accordance with our Al Principles, may be considered Attorney Advertising and is subject to our legal notices.