Intellectual Property
Litigation
Contact
Direct: 206-892-2102
Printable résumé
Bradford J. Axel
PRACTICE EMPHASIS:
Brad’s commercial litigation practice concentrates in the areas of antitrust, intellectual property and consumer protection. Brad also counsels small and large companies on how to reduce their risk of litigation through sound business practices. Whether litigating or counseling, Brad seeks to thoroughly understand each client’s business so that he can help it achieve its objectives as efficiently and effectively as possible. Over the years Brad has represented a wide variety of businesses and individuals including telecommunications companies, musical groups, artists, state agencies, franchisees and franchisors, software companies, partnerships, non-profits, and small and large securities investors.
REPRESENTATIVE CASES:
- Chihuly, Inc. v. Kaindl (2006). Successfully defended glass artists in copyright infringement case alleging that artists’ work infringed glass art created by Dale Chihuly.
- Dexter & Chaney v. Microsoft (2006). Prosecuted trademark infringement case against Microsoft on behalf of software company, obtaining a favorable settlement after preliminary injunction hearing.
- Amazon.com v. Atlantic Mutual Ins. Co. (2006). Helped Amazon.com obtain judgment against its insurer for litigation costs Amazon.com incurred defending three patent infringement lawsuits.
- Washington State Farm Bureau v. National Marine Fisheries Service (2006). Submitted amicus brief to federal district court on behalf of Canadian environmental groups seeking to uphold protection of orca whales under Endangered Species Act.
- AT&T Wireless v. M & F (2005). Obtained federal court jury verdict for AT&T Wireless in a patent malpractice case involving AT&T Wireless’s loss of patent rights in a cell phone technology.
- Vastano v. AT&T Wireless (2004). Defended AT&T Wireless in nationwide class action in Colorado state court involving the billing of wireless airtime.
- Ambielli v. Amgen (2003). Prosecuted class action on behalf of participants in Amgen 401(k) plan, obtaining favorable settlement for class members.
- Department of Ecology v. PUD No. 1 of Pend Oreille County (2002). Submitted amicus brief to the Washington State Supreme Court on behalf of American Rivers on the proper relationship between the Federal Clean Water Act and state water law.
OTHER EXPERIENCE:
Prior to joining Stokes Lawrence in 2001, Brad worked at the Seattle firm Graham & Dunn (1999-2001) and the Chicago office of Hopkins & Sutter (1996-1999).
ACTIVITIES:
Brad serves on the board of Save Darfur Washington State, an organization committed to stopping the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. He has also served on the executive committee of the state chapter of the Sierra Club and frequently provides pro bono representation to environmental groups seeking to enforce state and federal environmental laws.
Brad is a member of the Federal Bar Association, and the American Constitution Society and serves on the executive committee of the Antitrust, Consumer Protection & Unfair Business Practices Section of the Washington State Bar Association.
EDUCATION:
Brad obtained his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School in 1995 and his B.A. in International Relations from Stanford University in 1990.
ADMISSIONS:
Brad is admitted to the Illinois State Bar (1996) and the Washington State Bar (1999). He is also admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Northern District of Illinois, the Western District of Washington, and the District of Colorado and before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
PUBLICATIONS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:
Co-chair and Speaker, 22nd Annual Antitrust and Consumer Protection Seminar: An Essential Update for Washington Practitioners (WSBA 2005)
Author, “Robinson -Patman Act Returns to Supreme Court Docket After Long Absence,” Vol. 26 Antitrust, Consumer Protection & Unfair Business Practices Section Newsletter No. 1 (WSBA 2005)
Author, “The Federal Arbitration Act and the Future of Contract-Based Class Actions,” Vol. 24 Antitrust, Consumer Protection & Unfair Business Practices Section Newsletter No. 1 (WSBA 2003