Matthew D. Francis

Matthew D. Francis

Shareholder

Background

More than 25 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

Trademark Litigation

  • 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.

Complex Trade Secret Litigation

  • Successfully defended a manufacturer of oil tank monitors in a trade secret case relating to the oil and gas industry in Nevada federal court.

  • Successfully litigated a trade secret case on behalf of one of the most sophisticated lighting companies in the United States in both federal and state court actions and achieved favorable results in both actions.

Commercial Litigation

  • Successfully defended a breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing action at trial and obtained a complete defense verdict, which included an award of attorneys’ fees and costs for his client.

  • Represented one of the largest national linen and textile rental companies in the United States in a breach of contract action and obtained damages, attorney’s fees, and costs against defendant.

Trademark Counseling and Prosecution

  • Intellectual property counsel to leading engineering and technology company, that is the largest provider of linear low-voltage lighting solutions in North America. The company manufactures an extensive, high-quality portfolio of superior linear, accent, and task LED lighting featuring unparalleled CRI and R values with flawless and vibrant high-fidelity color rendering.

  • Intellectual property counsel to multi-billion dollar real estate software company and manages its global portfolio and dispute work.

  • Intellectual property counsel to international property management company that manages high-end and iconic hotel and entertainment properties around the world, ranging from ski resorts in Colorado to beach resorts in the Maldives.

  • Intellectual property counsel to one of the largest healthcare networks in Nevada.

  • Intellectual property counsel to leading third party logistics company.

  • Intellectual property counsel to leading travel insurance company.

Insights & Publications

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:

Best Lawyers in America, 2024-2025

WTR 1000 - The World's Leading Trademark Professionals, 2021-2024

Nevada Business Magazine Legal Elite, 2012