Bradford J. Axel

Admissions

• Washington
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
• U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

Education

• University of Michigan Law School, J.D., cum laude
• Stanford University, B.A., International Relations

Recognition & Honors

• Leading Trademark Professional by World Trademark Review 1000 (2024)
• The Best Lawyers in America in Litigation - Intellectual Property (2016 - 2024)
• Washington Super Lawyers (2010 - 2023)
• Top-Rated Lawyer, West Coast, National Law Journal (2017)
• AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review

Representative Work

• HOV Services v. ASG Technologies Group (2019) Representing software company in breach of contract lawsuit before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
• Quest Software v. Nike (2019) Representing software company in breach of contract, copyright infringement and DMCA lawsuit before U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.
• Micro Focus v. McKesson (2019) Represented software company in breach of contract and copyright infringement lawsuit before U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Case resolved through settlement before trial.
• Savannah College of Art and Design, Inc. v. Sportswear, Inc. (2019) Representing apparel manufacturer in trademark infringement lawsuit brought in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia and pending in 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
• ASG Technologies Group v. Avon (2018) Represented software company in breach of contract lawsuit before U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Case resolved through settlement on the eve of trial.
• Folweiler Chiropractic v. FAIR Health (2018) Obtained summary judgment, affirmance on appeal, and award of attorrneys fees on behalf of New York non-profit sued in Washington state for allegedly violating the Washington CPA.
• United States v. WCH, et al. (2017) Defended small business owner in False Claims Act case arising out of multimillion-dollar remediation contracts at Hanford Nuclear Site. Case resolved through settlement before trial.
• RCB Int’l. v. Labbeemint (2017) Defended agricultural business in case involving expired plant patent for mint variety. Obtained favorable settlement during jury trial.
• Llacua, et al. v. Western Range Association, et al. (2016) Obtained dismissal of antitrust complaint against Oregon ranch.
• Medical College of Wisconsin v. Attachmate Corporation (2016) Represented software company in infringement lawsuit before U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Case resolved through settlement after favorable summary judgment decision on liability.
• Washington v. AU Optronics Corp., et al. (2015) Defended Toshiba in antitrust lawsuit initiated by the Washington Attorney General. .
• Marfair Wireless v. T-Mobile (2014)  Obtained dismissal of patent infringement suit against T-Mobile  in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.
• Entergy Services, Inc. v. Attachmate Corporation (2014). Represented software company in copyright infringement lawsuit before U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Case resolved through settlement.
• Judd v. AT&T (2013).  Defended AT&T in consumer class action involving rate disclosures on prison collect calls.  Case resolved through settlement.
• Covance, Inc. v. Attachmate Corporation (2013).  Represented software company in copyright infringement lawsuit before U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.  Case resolved through settlement.
• Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. v. D&M Chem, Inc. (2013).  Defended agricultural business in patent infringement case by multinational corporation.  Case resolved through settlement.
• Basel Action Network v. Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (2012).  Prosecuted trademark action against industry association over the use of certification mark.  Case resolved through settlement.
• Attachmate Corporation v. Health Net (2011).  Represented software company in copyright infringement lawsuit.  Case resolved through settlement.
• Wang v. Ta Chi, Inc. (2010).  After two-week bench trial, obtained judgments totaling over $450,000 against clients' former manager and her businesses for breach of fiduciary duty.
• Marin v. Evans, et al. (2008).  Obtained summary judgment in civil RICO class action on behalf of defendant apple growing and packing company.
• Sayani v. Sayani (2007).  Successfully represented majority owners of closely held businesses in three-week trial over the valuation of a minority owner’s interest, obtaining favorable valuation decision and a rejection of minority owner’s bid to dissolve business.
• 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.
• 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.

Publications & Presentations

• Co-presenter with Sean Griffee, Shannon Jost, "Avoiding Personal Liability: Advice for Owners and Managers of Privately Held Businesses," Stokes Law Brief (October & November 2014)
• Speaker, 30th Annual Antitrust and Consumer Protection Seminar, The Future of Reverse Payment Settlement Agreements after FTC v. Actavis, WSBA (2013)
• 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)

Professional & Community Activities

• Former Commissioner, Seattle Ethics & Elections Commission 
• Member, Federal Bar Association
• Member, Seattle Intellectual Property American Inn of Court
• Advisory Board Member, American Rivers, a national nonprofit organization committed to protecting and restoring America's rivers
• Former Chair, Antitrust, Consumer Protection & Unfair Competition Section of the Washington State Bar Association
• Member, CleanTech Alliance

Background & Interests

Prior to joining Stokes Lawrence in 2001, Brad worked at the Seattle firm Graham & Dunn and the Chicago office of Hopkins & Sutter.

Brad enjoys backpacking, swimming, and attempting to surf.