WILLIAM J. BROWN, JR. (BILL)

Bill Brown is a first-chair trial lawyer with more than two decades of experience representing clients in intellectual property disputes, consumer class action defense, business litigation, and complex commercial matters in state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration and on appeal. Before co-founding Brown Wegner LLP, Bill spent more than a decade in the Intellectual Property Group at Jones Day, one of the world’s leading international law firms. Prior to that, he served as a Law Clerk to Judge James Ideman of the United States District Court. These experiences shape how he approaches every matter.

Bill has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® every year since 2022 and as a Super Lawyer every year since 2012. He has been named to the Top 50 Lawyers in Orange County six times and the Top 100 Lawyers in Southern California three consecutive years by Los Angeles Magazine. He is a Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and a leader of its Intellectual Property Institute, and serves as a Master and Board Member of the Howard T. Markey Intellectual Property Inn of Court. Bill has served as an Adjunct Professor at Chapman University School of Law and coached Moot Court at Western State University School of Law. He is a speaker on intellectual property and civil litigation before bar associations, law schools, and national conferences.

A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and a former Air Force Captain, Bill brings the same discipline and precision to the courtroom that he learned in uniform, and he has continued that commitment to service and community leadership as the president or board member of several civic, charitable, and legal organizations, such as the St. Thomas More Society of Orange County, the Howard Markey Intellectual Property Inn of Court, and the Intellectual Property Institute.

Representation Highlights

Multi-million-dollar verdict, copyright infringement — Represented software development company 3PL Systems Inc. in a bet-the-company copyright infringement case, Mitchell v. 3PL Systems Inc., defeating the plaintiff’s affirmative claims on summary judgment before securing a multi-million-dollar verdict at trial on the client’s cross-claims.

Federal Circuit appeal, patent infringement — Successfully briefed and argued at the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, obtaining affirmance of dismissal of all claims against a client that invents and manufactures safety products.

Defense verdict, federal employment lawsuit — Represented a co-defendant in a sexual harassment lawsuit against large fast food chain, securing a complete defense verdict in federal court.

Early dismissal, antitrust class action — Obtained early dismissal of oil refinery from $73 Billion antitrust class action against all west coast refineries, alleging price-fixing conspiracies in violation of California’s Cartwright Act (analogous to the federal Sherman and Clayton Acts).

Vacated judgment, civil litigation — Obtained an order vacating a $2 million judgment that had been improperly entered against a firm client.

Selected Speaking Engagements

TC Heartland v. Kraft Foods: Amicus Brief and Aftermath of Supreme Court Decision, Orange County Intellectual Property Law Association, September 2017

Rough Justice: Venue Litigation Following TC Heartland LLC v. Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC, Intellectual Property Institute Fall Conference, Louisville, Kentucky, September 2017

Courthouse Steps Teleforum: TC Heartland LLC v. Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC, Federalist Society, Intellectual Property Practice Group, May 2017

Spoliation of Evidence: Preserving Your Case and Protecting Your Client, Orange County Bar Association, Business Litigation Section, December 2015

IP Teleforum Case Preview: Lexmark International v. Impression Products, Litigation Counsel of America, Intellectual Property Institute, September 2015

Trademark Infringement for Use of Online Search Terms by Search Engines, UC Berkeley School of Law, November 2007

Education

Arizona State University College of Law

Cum Laude

• J.D., 1997
• Executive Editor, Jurimetrics, The Journal of Law Science and Technology
• Symposium Editor, Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy

United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs

• B.S. Economics, with Military Distinction, 1988

Military Service / Judicial Clerkship

• Captain, United States Air Force (1988–1994); United States Air Force Reserves (1994–2008)
• Law Clerk to Judge James Ideman, United States District Court, Central District of California (1997–1998)

Admissions

• All state trial and appellate courts in California
• All United States District Courts in California and Colorado, as well as Eastern District of Texas and Southern District of Indiana
• Ninth and Federal Circuit Courts of Appeals
• Supreme Court of the United States

Contact

(949) 705-0080
bill@brownwegner.com
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