J. Paul Williamson joined the Washington, D.C., office of the international law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. as a partner in 2003. His practice focuses on intellectual property matters. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Williamson was a partner in a prominent Washington, D.C., law firm. He is also a former Trademark Examining Attorney for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and a former Trademark Petitions and Special Projects Attorney for the U.S. Assistant Commissioner of Trademarks.

Mr. Williamson is experienced in trademark law and related unfair competition issues. He is skilled in all aspects of trademark litigation and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board practice. Trademark prosecution and enforcement, both domestic and international, are also part of his practice, along with counseling clients on trademark portfolio management, the policing and enforcing of trademark rights, and trademark licensing issues. He provides trademark infringement and validity opinions, and oversees many prosecution, policing, and opposition matters in foreign jurisdictions.

Mr. Williamson has handled trademark litigation and enforcement matters for companies in a wide variety of industries involving semiconductor, computer hardware and software, online information, telecommunication, paper, publications, industrial products and equipment, restaurant, pharmaceutical, and insurance and financial services industries.

Recent General Trademark Matters:

• Coordinated and managed global trademark policing and enforcement for businesses in the fields or online information, catalogue sales, publications and satellite television broadcasting
• Coordinated and managed trademark clearance efforts for global businesses in the fields of pharmaceuticals, packaging, online information, trade shows and catalogue sales publications
• Coordinated and managed trademark-domain name matters, including UDRP proceedings
• Counseled clients in the packaging, catalogue sales, personal care products, pharmaceutical, trade show and online information business on trademark licensing
• Managed global trademark portfolios and registration programs for clients in the fields of catalogue sales, trade shows, food products, satellite television broadcasting and online information

Recent Trademark Administrative and District Court Litigation:

• Represented an international restaurant business in U.S. opposition proceeding and successfully obtained judgment based on application of the Pan American Convention
• Managed and coordinated litigation effort on behalf of global online information business in Spain in Community Trademark Court; a judgment was obtained and the litigation was settled on very favorable terms to the client
• Represented publication owner in Federal District Court in Southern California on trademark infringement and dilution issues; obtained consent judgment and permanent injunction
• Represented leading personal care product manufacturer in U.S. trademark opposition and cancellation actions; obtained judgments in client's favor
• Coordinated and managed trademark oppositions and litigations in multiple countries for businesses in the fields of online information, publications, catalogue sales and satellite television broadcasting

• International Trademark Association (INTA)
  • Emerging Issues Subcommittee, Issues Policy Committee (2002 - 2005)
  • Trademark Clearance Subcommittee, Emerging Issues Committee (2006 - 2007)
  • Issues Identification Subcommittee, Emerging Issues Committee (2010 - 2011)
• American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
• Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO)
• American Bar Association
• District of Columbia Bar
• Virginia State Bar
• Texas State Bar
• Illinois State Bar

• The International Who's Who of Trademark Lawyers (2002 - 2011)
• Guide to the World's Leading Trademark Practitioners, Euromoney Legal Media Group (2004 - Present)

• Co-author, "Trademark Searching and Clearance," Practical Law Company, October 2011
• Co-author, "Trademark Owners: USPTO Promulgates Request for Comments on 'Bullying' Trademark Litigation Tactics," Fulbright Briefing, November 18, 2010
• Co-author with Tara Vold, "Supreme Court Holds That Federal Court Retains Jurisdiction Over Unregistered Copyrights Even Where Registration Precondition Is Not Met," Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. Briefing, March 11, 2010
• Co-author with Tara Vold, "Claims of Fraud Before the U.S. TTAB: Looking Forward," International Trademark Association Bulletin, Vo. 64 No. 23, December 15, 2009
• Co-author, "Program IV: Global Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright and Internet Highlights," The Embassy Row Series, September 16, 2008

• "Geographic Indications, Global Protection," Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. Embassy Row Series, Washington, D.C., September 2008
• "International Intellectual Property Issues: Trademarks," Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. Embassy Row Series, Washington, D.C., September 2006, 2007

1973 - J.D., University of Illinois School of Law 
1970 - B.S., Aeronautical Engineering, Purdue University

Mr. Williamson was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1973, Virginia in 1976, Texas in 1979, and in the District of Columbia in 1986. He is admitted to practice in several federal district and appellate courts as well as before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.