Stokes Lawrence Celebrated in World Trademark Review 1000 as Leading Trademark Firm; Six Attorneys Recognized
Related Practice: Intellectual Property
Stokes Lawrence has once again been recognized as a top Washington State trademark firm in the 2026 World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000. The publication honors four of the firm’s attorneys—Theresa Wang, Brad Axel, Shannon Jost, and Leslie Vander Griend—as recommended trademark practitioners, while also recognizing Joshua Harms and Valerie Walker as Next Generation lawyers.
“We are honored to be included in the 2026 WTR 1000 rankings—an acknowledgment of our firm’s depth of experience and steadfast dedication to excellence in trademark law,” says Theresa Wang, firmwide managing shareholder and 2026-ranked practitioner. “We are especially excited to see Josh and Valerie recognized as Next Generation lawyers in trademark law. Their achievements reflect the strength of our collaborative team approach and the bright future of our trademark practice. Our team is grateful for the trust our clients place in us to safeguard and elevate their valuable brands."
The firm’s intellectual property practice is widely recognized as one of the premier teams in Washington State for intellectual property law. Our attorneys have extensive experience in protecting and enforcing trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets locally, nationally, and internationally through registration, licensing, IP litigation, and dispute resolution.
Now in its 16th year, the WTR 1000 identifies the leading professionals and firms that are deemed outstanding at obtaining, protecting, managing, enforcing, and monetizing trademarks. It focuses exclusively on trademark practice and is “the definitive ‘go-to’ resource for those seeking world-class legal trademark expertise.”
About Theresa Wang
Theresa Wang is a nationally recognized intellectual property attorney with over 15 years of experience in IP and general litigation. Known for her deep knowledge of software and technology, she helps clients navigate complex copyright and trademark matters with clarity, efficiency, and long-term strategic value. Theresa’s practice focuses on copyright and trademark disputes, licensing, and the procurement of domestic and international trademarks. She frequently appears before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) and in federal and state courts across the country. With extensive experience in the software industry, she advises software asset management teams on license enforcement, compliance, and the protection of high-value copyrights, supporting clients on the advisory side, but also with dispute resolution, from initial engagement through litigation.
About Shannon Jost
Shannon Jost is a seasoned intellectual property attorney whose practice blends trial and appellate litigation with intellectual property and corporate transactions. For over 20 years, Shannon has represented clients from a broad range of industries in high-stakes trademark, copyright, trade secret, and patent litigation in federal district and appellate courts nationwide. In addition to her litigation practice, Shannon advises clients on marketing and promotional activities, and on the acquisition, protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights; and drafts and negotiates a wide range of license, development, manufacturing, acquisition, and operational agreements.
About Leslie Vander Griend
With over 25 years of experience in intellectual property, Leslie Vander Griend helps businesses resolve trademark and copyright disputes and build strength and value in trademark portfolios and copyright assets. Specifically, Leslie has represented clients in game-changing trademark and copyright litigation in federal courts nationwide, as well as in contested matters before the Trademark Trial & Appeal Board. Leslie has been recognized as a leader in her field by Best Lawyers in America in both Trademark and Copyright Law, Washington Super Lawyers, the World Trademark Review 1000, and Chambers USA.
About Bradford Axel
Brad Axel protects the interests of small and large companies in antitrust, intellectual property, and consumer protection. He also counsels the owners and managers of these companies on how to reduce their risk of litigation through sound business practices. Whether litigating or counseling, he seeks to thoroughly understand each client’s business to help achieve the client's objectives as efficiently and effectively as possible. Brad has represented a wide variety of businesses and individuals, including telecommunications companies, musical groups, artists, software companies, farmers, contractors, partnerships, non-profits, and small and large investors.
About Joshua Harms
Josh Harms represents clients in business and intellectual property disputes, from pre-litigation advising through trial and appeal. His work ranges from complex lawsuits between multinational companies to managing intellectual property portfolios of well-known musicians. He has experience representing companies in myriad industries, including FinTech, BioTech, apparel, electronic component manufacture, and software development.
About Valerie Walker
Valerie Walker represents clients in commercial and intellectual property disputes, as well as in employment matters. As a litigator, Valerie has advocated on behalf of clients before federal and state courts, arbitrators, and administrative agencies. She has handled cases related to breach of contract, unfair labor practices, trademark infringement, copyright infringement, and unfair business practices. Her strong research skills contribute to her success across diverse practice areas, enabling her to effectively represent clients in litigation and negotiate favorable outcomes.
About Stokes Lawrence P.S.
With offices in Seattle and Yakima, Washington, Stokes Lawrence represents businesses ranging from small, closely held entities to larger corporations, and the families and individuals who run those companies. With a team of experienced attorneys dedicated to client advocacy, Stokes Lawrence combines in-depth legal knowledge with a personalized approach, ensuring that each client's unique needs are met with professionalism and care.
Stokes Lawrence is a majority women-owned firm and is certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women Business Enterprise National Council. The firm is also a proud member of the National Association of Minority and Women-Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) and the international network, Lawyers Associated Worldwide (LAW).
