Courtney Thornton

About

I’m an intellectual property attorney with over a decade of Big Law experience, now running my own practice to better serve my clients and my family. My practice focuses on trademarks, copyright, advertising, and internet law; and I help businesses protect and grow their brands from startup to global scale. I’ve procured thousands of trademarks worldwide, represented clients in federal court and before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and am known for creative strategies that overcome even the toughest USPTO refusals. Recognized as a Law360 “IP Ace” and included in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch since 2021, I bring both sharp legal insight and a business-minded approach shaped by my early career in marketing and technology. I’m also a proud Stanford alum with roots in Silicon Valley, where I first developed my passion for helping businesses grow and protect their innovations. I work with clients across the full life cycle of a brand—from clearance and registration to contracts, licensing, enforcement, and litigation. My practice includes domestic and international trademark prosecution, IP portfolio management and counseling, diligence, opposition and cancellation proceedings before the TTAB, federal district court litigation, and representation in advertising and domain name disputes. I also advise on internet-related matters such as DMCA take-downs, online infringement, social media issues, and misappropriation of likeness. My clients include individuals, universities, startups, research institutions, and global corporations across industries. Prior to becoming an attorney, I spent over a decade in advertising, sales, and marketing with Fortune 500 technology and pharmaceutical companies, as well as mobile search and SEO startups. That experience continues to inform my IP practice, giving me a practical, business-first perspective when advising clients on how best to secure and enforce their rights.

Practice Areas

Featured Clients

Edible Arrangements®QuartzMission:BrainRoti Mediterranean GrillLeadpagesBrave Like Gabe FoundationUltimate TennisCherry Street EnergyT2TennisVectorATLAS Ministry IncStudio Way

Services

• Trademark Portfolio Management

  • Ongoing monitoring and strategic oversight of global trademark portfolio • Docketing accuracy review and deadline management • Identifying registration gaps and proposing strategic filings
  Contact
• Trademark Clearance Searches

  Evaluates whether a proposed brand name or logo is available for use and registration by identifying existing similar marks that could create legal or business risk before launch.
  Contact
• Trademark Prosecution

  • Responding to Office Actions - analyzing and responding to refusals to overcome legal or technical barriers to registration • Monitoring deadlines and managing specimens, extensions, and Statements of Use
  Contact

Work

• 
  Of Counsel

  Ballard Spahr LLP

  Dec 2023 - May 2025
• 
  Senior Associate

  Troutman Pepper Locke LLP

  Dec 2017 - Nov 2023
• 
  Associate

  Smith Gambrell Russell

  Sep 2014 - Dec 2017

Education

• Stanford University
  BA • 2000
• Emory University School of Law
  JD • 2014