Background
More than 27 years’ experience litigating trademark, copyright, trade secret, patent actions across the U.S. Has prosecuted over 1,000 trademarks at the federal and state level as well as in foreign jurisdictions. Has prosecuted hundreds of copyright applications at the U.S. Copyright Office. Balances accessible legal counsel with sophisticated client needs.
In the areas of intellectual property litigation, trademark and copyright prosecution, intellectual property licensing, and entertainment law, Matt Francis vigorously protects, enforces, and defends valuable intellectual property rights. For over two and a half decades, Matt has litigated trademark, false advertising, right of publicity, copyright, trade secret, and patent actions in federal and state courts throughout the United States. He represents clients primarily in the consumer products and services, science and technology, entertainment, and education industries.
Matt has prosecuted over a thousand trademarks at the federal and state level and has participated in many opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). He also assists clients in obtaining and enforcing foreign trademark registrations and rights, and handles trademark portfolios for billion-dollar companies. Matt has years of experience negotiating complex trademark, patent, and copyright licenses and entertainment contracts on behalf of musicians, authors, photographers, and other artists and companies. He has also represented clients in many commercial lawsuits, disputes, and contractual negotiations.
Prior to joining Brownstein, Matt was a partner at Watson Rounds, a firm Brownstein acquired on Sept. 1, 2015.
Representative Matters
- Successfully litigated a high profile trade dress infringement and unfair competition, case on behalf of Wynn Resorts.
- Prevailed on a motion for temporary restraining order in a trademark infringement case on behalf of a small consumer products manufacturer against one of the largest media and entertainment companies in the world.
- Defended one of the largest outdoor media companies in the United States in a breach of contract action brought by a public university in federal court.
Insights & Publications
Insights & Publications
News
News
Credentials
Education
- J.D., 1998, University of Montana School of Law
- B.A., 1993, University of Nevada, Reno, with honors
Previous Experience
Partner, Watson Rounds
Admissions
- Nevada
- Utah
- U.S. District Court, District of Nevada
- U.S. District Court, District of Utah
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Memberships
Washoe County Bar Association
Former Member, American Inns of Court, Bruce R. Thompson Chapter
Community Involvement
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Board of Directors, High Fives Nonprofit Foundation
Recognition
AWARDS
The Best Lawyers in America, 2024-2026
WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals, 2021-2025
Nevada Business Magazine Legal Elite, 2012
