Areas of Practice
Education
  • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 1999
  • Tulane University, M.A., 2001
  • Emory University, B.A., 1993
Bar & Court Admissions
  • District of Columbia
  • New York

Brian J. Winterfeldt

Partner

1330 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20036
TEL: 202.429.6260
FAX: 202.429.3902

Brian J. Winterfeldt is a partner in the Washington office of Steptoe & Johnson LLP, where he is a member of the Intellectual Property group. Mr. Winterfeldt’s practice involves most aspects of intellectual property law, including domestic and international trademark counseling, clearance, prosecution, enforcement, and litigation, as well as trade dress and domain name issues.

Mr. Winterfeldt assists clients with the creation of trademark and branding strategies and the development of programs to enforce and protect intellectual property rights. He represents clients seeking to protect against infringement of their copyrights, trademarks, and trade dress in the United States and internationally. Mr. Winterfeldt represents clients who are global leaders in their industries, including the retail and apparel, media, financial, consumer products, and Internet industries.

Mr. Winterfeldt’s practice includes significant work in domain name law and new media counseling and enforcement, including assisting clients with the management of their domain name portfolios and securing domain names that incorporate clients' trademarks through the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy and other similar processes for foreign domain names.  Mr. Winterfeldt has also counseled clients on cutting edge issues such as social media and Web 2.0, including strategies for brand promotion and protection in these spaces.

Mr. Winterfeldt has also written numerous articles on trademark law and has been selected for the past several years to serve as a reviewer for the Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition by the International Trademark Association.  Mr. Winterfeldt also serves as Co-Chair of Steptoe's GLBT Forum and as a member of Steptoe's Diversity Committee. Mr. Winterfeldt is a prominent and frequent speaker at industry events on topics including trademark issues and social media.

Professional Affiliations

  • International Trademark Association (INTA)
    • INTA TMA Committee (2012-2014)
      • Subcommittee Chair, Internet Project Team
    • INTA Internet Committee (2007-Present)
      • Special Advisor/GNSO Councilor (2012-2013)
      • Subcommittee Chair, Internet Governance and Contractual Relationships Subcommittee (2010-2011)
      • Registration Practice & DNS Administration Subcommittee (2008-2009)
    • INTA Bulletin Committee (2000-2007)
      • Subcommittee Chair/Editor, Feature Articles: Policy and Practice, INTA Bulletin (2005-2007)
      • Subcommittee Chair/Executive Editor, INTA Special Reports (2003-2004)
    • Served as a Planning Committee Member for the November 2010 INTA Leadership Meeting
  • Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
    • Generic Names Supporting Organization Council (2011 - 2013)
    • Intellectual Property Constituency (IPC)
      • Treasurer (2010 - 2011)
  • Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
  • MARQUES (European Trademark Association)
    • Member of Cyberspace Team (2010)
  • American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)
    • Member of Brand Enforcement Council                  
  • Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
    • Member of Federal Club
  • National LGBT Bar Association

Noteworthy

  • Recognized by the World Trademark Review as a leading trademark attorney in the WTR 1000 for 2011
  • Listed in Who’s Who Legal for Trademarks (2011)  
  • Recognized as one of the "Best LGBT Attorneys Under 40" by the National LGBT Bar Association (2011)
  • Elected Treasurer, Intellectual Property Constituency (IPC) (2010 - 2011).
  • Selected as a Co-Chair for INTA's 2011 Trademark Administrators Conference.
  • Recipient of INTA's 2011 Volunteer Service Award for the Advancement of Committee Objectives.

Select News & Events

Selected Publications

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