Nicole Townes
Direct: 949 734 7454
Vanderbilt Law School (J.D., 2010)
Executive Authorities Editor, Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law
Vanderbilt University (B.S. Engineering Sciences and Economics, 2007)
Magna cum laude
Nicole has represented a wide range of clients in trademark, trade dress, copyright and licensing counseling and litigation, as well as false advertising, unfair competition, trade secret and patent litigation. Her practice includes domestic and international trademark selection and clearance, prosecution, and procurement. She has also been responsible for managing worldwide trademark portfolios and enforcement for a number of large clients. She also has experience as in-house trademark counsel for one of the largest companies in the world.
Nicole’s practice includes representing clients in opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. In addition, Nicole has experience assisting clients in combatting counterfeit and gray market goods and working with customs. She also has experience with domain name disputes and notice and takedown procedures for social media sites and domestic and foreign ecommerce websites. She has extensive experience drafting and negotiating license agreements and other intellectual property related agreements.
Nicole has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in litigation and clients across a diverse range of industries, including, for example, food and beverage, fashion and beauty, home furnishings, entertainment, software, engineering services, and medical device. Nicole has been involved in obtaining favorable outcomes for clients through mediation and arbitration proceedings and negotiated settlements.
Nicole has served as the President and long-time board member of the Orange County Intellectual Property Law Association. She has also served as the President of the Orange County Bar Association Intellectual Property Section. Nicole is currently a member of the Designs Committee for the International Trademark Association.
Prior to joining the firm, Nicole was an associate at Latham & Watkins, an associate and partner at Knobbe Martens, and was Corporate Counsel (IP) at Amazon, Inc.
Awards and Honors
Best Lawyers Ones to Watch, for Intellectual Property Litigation and Patent Litigation (2021 - 2022)
Recent Publications
"Alley Oop or Flagrant Foul? Nike Launches Shot Against Supplier of Fake Sneakers," The Licensing Journal (2021)
Recent Speeches and Seminars
Panelist, “IP Issues That Keep In-House Counsel Up at Night," Association of Corporate Counsel Southern California (2024)
Panelist, “The Importance of IP Assignments in Employment and Contractor Agreements,” Association of Corporate Counsel Southern California (2021)
Panelist, "Intellectual Property Essentials and Value Creation," Orange County Bar Association, Business and Corporate Law Section (2014)