Washington State is a hub for innovation, technology, and fast-growing consumer brands. When your business starts scaling, protecting your patents, trademarks, and trade secrets becomes just as important as the product itself. Working with the right intellectual property lawyer early can save a brand from costly disputes down the road.
The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the most competitive business environments in the country. From Seattle-based tech startups to consumer product companies expanding nationally, brands here face real IP risks, including patent infringement, trademark copying, and trade secret theft. Getting the right legal counsel in place before a dispute arises is always smarter and less expensive than reacting after the fact.
Here are five IP lawyers in Washington State who consistently stand out for growing brands.
1. John D. Denkenberger: Patent & IP Litigation Specialist at COJK PLLC, Seattle
John Denkenberger is the managing member and litigation chair at Christensen O’Connor Johnson Kindness PLLC. A former aerospace engineer at Boeing and General Dynamics, he brings rare technical depth to patent litigation, trade secret enforcement, and post-grant proceedings. He has been named to the IAM Patent 1000 every year since its launch in 2013 and is ranked in Chambers USA and The Best Lawyers in America.
2. Theresa H. Wang: IP Litigation & Trademark Strategy at Stokes Lawrence P.S., Seattle
Theresa Wang is the firmwide managing shareholder at Stokes Lawrence and a recognized leader in IP litigation and trademark enforcement. She is ranked by Chambers USA, listed on the World Trademark Review 1000, and named to Best Lawyers in America for litigation and trademark law. For growing brands that need both courtroom results and long-term portfolio strategy, she is a strong choice.
3. Benjamin J. Hodges: IP Litigation & Technology Counsel at Foster Garvey PC, Seattle
Ben Hodges is a registered patent attorney and co-practice group leader of litigation at Foster Garvey. His practice covers patents, copyright, trade secrets, and trademark disputes across federal and appellate courts, including a notable win before the Ninth Circuit. He was named to the 2025 Washington Super Lawyers list and is regularly cited in national legal and business media on IP strategy.
4. George C. Rondeau, Jr.: Patents, Trademarks & Trade Secrets at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, Seattle
George Rondeau has been practicing IP law since 1976, making him one of the most experienced attorneys in the Pacific Northwest. He has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America every year since 2007 across patent law, trademark law, and trade secrets. Brands dealing with complex, high-stakes IP matters benefit from the kind of seasoned judgment that only decades of active practice can provide.
5. Jerald E. Nagae: Full-Spectrum IP Counsel at COJK PLLC, Seattle
Jerald Nagae brings over 40 years of experience across patents, trademarks, copyrights, IP transactions, and litigation. He is of counsel at COJK and is recognized across multiple major legal directories. His cross-industry background spanning automotive, consumer goods, sporting goods, and software makes him a practical choice for brands expanding into new product categories.
Finding the Right IP Lawyer for Your Brand
Each lawyer on this list brings something distinct to the table. The right fit depends on whether your priority is patent litigation, trademark protection, trade secret enforcement, or building a scalable IP portfolio from the ground up. What they share is a track record of real results and consistent recognition from the legal industry’s most respected ranking bodies.
It also helps to think about where your brand is headed, not just where it is today. A company entering new product markets has different IP needs than one defending an existing patent portfolio. The best IP lawyers do not just solve today’s problem. They help you anticipate what could become a problem six months or two years from now.
Washington State has no shortage of skilled legal professionals, but the names on this list have demonstrated their value in real courtrooms, before real judges, and for clients whose businesses depended on the outcome. That is the standard worth holding any IP attorney to.
If your brand is growing, now is the right time to make sure your intellectual property is protected.
