ArentFox Schiff Welcomes Nationally Recognized Trademark and Brands Team, Opens Office in Silicon Valley

Together with Justine Lee and Kat Kershner, the group brings decades of collective experience advising major brand owners, in-house counsel, and senior executives on the most complex, high-stakes trademark and brand matters worldwide. Jason, Justine, and Kat join as Partners, and Katy joins as Senior Counsel.

Additionally, ArentFox Schiff will be opening a new office in Silicon Valley, expanding the firm’s California footprint and its acclaimed Trademark and Copyright capabilities from coast to coast. 

“Welcoming this exceptional team marks an exciting milestone for ArentFox Schiff,” said Anthony V. Lupo, chairman of ArentFox Schiff. “Katy and Jason have together built a cohesive, powerhouse team of trademark professionals. With Justine and Kat rounding out the group, the four of them bring complementary strengths that deepen our bench and expand our geographic reach. There’s no better group to anchor our new Silicon Valley office.”

The team brings a comprehensive end-to-end brand protection and trademark practice, including a powerful blend of private practice, in-house, litigation, and international experience. Their core capabilities span global trademark strategy, digital brand protection, copyright registrations and protection, and related transactional matters. Collectively, the team furthers the firm’s ability to handle the full lifecycle of brand protection — from clearance and prosecution through enforcement, licensing, and litigation — for clients across every major industry.

“This team brings a rare combination of depth and range,” said Chris Norton, leader of the Trademark and Copyright practice groups. “Katy’s decades of experience advising iconic brands and Jason’s extensive prosecution, portfolio management, and enforcement capabilities form a strong foundation. Combined with Justine’s global brand protection and in-house perspective and Kat’s strength across enforcement, litigation, licensing, and digital brand protection, the group is truly formidable. Together, they elevate our trademark capabilities and position us to support the next generation of market-leading companies.”

Jason said, “Our team is excited to join ArentFox Schiff. The firm’s strong reputation and collaborative culture provide an exceptional platform for us to expand our capabilities and deliver sophisticated, seamless counsel to clients across industries and markets.”

The team arrives from Reed Smith, LLP. 

Meet Our New Team

Jason Garcia: Jason is a highly experienced partner whose practice centers on trademark counseling, clearance, prosecution, portfolio management, and enforcement in the United States and beyond. He has extensive experience advising clients on the selection, use, and protection of trademarks and brands, and his work spans a broad range of industries, including consumer electronics, retail and online marketplaces, sports, food and beverage, wine and spirits, apparel, financial services, and internet-based services. Jason’s depth of knowledge in US trademark law is grounded in his early career at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), where he served as an examining attorney focused on trademark prosecution. His pragmatic, client-focused approach and broad portfolio management experience make him a trusted advisor to companies navigating complex brand landscapes. Jason has been frequently recognized by The World Trademark Review (2019-2026), Chambers USA, California IP: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets (2026), and Managing Intellectual Property IP Stars (2025).

Justine Lee: Justine’s practice encompasses strategic global brand protection, trademark portfolio management, clearance, and enforcement throughout a broad range of industries, including technology, financial services, real estate, health care, transportation, hospitality, cosmetics, beverage and food, and advertising. She is also experienced in handling complex trademark transactions and disputes, including cross-border enforcement matters, domain name and social media disputes, Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) proceedings, online brand protection issues, copyright registrations, and Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedowns. Justine’s work is informed by her prior experience as a member of an in-house intellectual property team of a global retail clothing conglomerate. Justine has been recognized among Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Intellectual Property (2026), Super Lawyers’ Northern California Rising Stars (2019-2026), and was ranked in the World Trademark Review’s 1000 (2026).

Kat Kershner: Kat helps technology, consumer, and media companies clear, protect, and enforce their brands and creative work worldwide. Her work in trademark and copyright law spans prosecution, enforcement, and litigation of soft IP rights. Kat counsels on strategy, prosecution, and enforcement efforts for global trademark portfolios and handles disputes before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). She also handles licensing matters, UDRP proceedings, and DMCA issues, and advises clients on trademark and brand usage policies and guidelines. Kat has been recognized among Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Intellectual Property (2021-2026), Managing IP’s Rising Stars (2024-2025), and World Trademark Review’s 1000 (2026).

Katherine M. Basile: Katy is a globally recognized trademark and brands attorney whose decades of experience includes in-house and private practice protecting some of the most iconic brands in the world. A preeminent practitioner with demonstrated mastery across the full lifecycle of brand protection — from clearance and prosecution to enforcement and strategic portfolio management — Katy is known for combining sharp legal acumen with a keen understanding of how brands drive business value. Katy delivers advice that is both commercially savvy and legally rigorous. Katy’s responsibility for managing famous and unique trademarks gives her a truly international perspective. She regularly appears before the TTAB and is actively involved in trademark infringement and unfair competition litigation in federal courts. Katy’s recognitions include Managing IP Trademark Prosecutor of the Year (West) 2026, Chambers USA - California IP: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets (2026), World Trademark Review Global Leader (2025-2026), The Legal 500 US, Who’s Who Legal, and Managing Intellectual Property IP Star.