Contact: Mark Fefer, Marketing Communications, 206.757.8583 or markfefer@dwt.com
OCTOBER 7, 2014 – Bonnie MacNaughton, a highly experienced IP litigator who has spent the past decade as a lead attorney in Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit, has joined Davis Wright Tremaine LLP as a partner in the firm’s Seattle office.
MacNaughton was most recently the regional lead for Microsoft’s anti-piracy enforcement programs in North America, a role in which she led hundreds of domestic and international piracy and cybercrime actions and investigations each year. She also worked closely with Microsoft’s business professionals on the development and deployment of world-class anti-piracy technologies and supply chain security.
"Bonnie brings to our firm unparalleled experience in combating the intellectual property threats that endanger companies today," said Dave Baca, managing partner of Davis Wright Tremaine. "We are extremely pleased to bring our clients the benefit of her deep understanding and successful track record in addressing this challenge on behalf of the world’s largest software company."
Together with a team of attorneys, investigators, forensic analysts, and paralegals, MacNaughton has brought civil actions against hundreds of software pirates each year and supported numerous criminal prosecutions by local, state, and federal officials throughout the U.S. and Canada.
In addition to civil lawsuits and criminal referrals, her team’s techniques have included global online monitoring and takedowns of infringing content, as well as large-scale warning and cease-and-desist letter campaigns. MacNaughton has also supervised internal investigations involving the theft and misuse of intellectual property assets.
"My objective is always to resolve investigations in a way that fully aligns with corporate objectives and return on investment," said MacNaughton. "I look forward to bringing this balanced approach to Davis Wright Tremaine, where the team maintains a similar focus on the client’s definition of success."
Prior to joining Microsoft in 2001, MacNaughton spent 14 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, first in the Central District of California at Los Angeles and then in the Western District of Washington at Seattle. She handled over two dozen federal criminal jury trials, nearly a dozen federal civil bench trials, and hundreds of civil and criminal court hearings. As a federal prosecutor, MacNaughton had a particular focus on international drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy cases.
MacNaughton began her career as a commercial litigator at two firms in Los Angeles.
"Bonnie’s 360-degree understanding of litigation—from the government, in-house, and law firm perspective—combined with her extensive network of resources and contacts in brand protection and anti-counterfeiting, is going to be invaluable to our clients," said Rob Maguire, chair of the litigation practice at Davis Wright Tremaine.
MacNaughton was until recently on the Executive Board of the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition, a member-driven organization comprised of companies in a wide cross-section of industries—from autos, apparel, luxury goods, and pharmaceuticals to food, software, and entertainment. In addition, MacNaughton has built longstanding and strong relationships with law enforcement agencies and officials across the country, and has frequently briefed senior leaders at the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Justice, among others.
MacNaughton received her B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College and her J.D. from Santa Clara University.
About Davis Wright Tremaine
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is a national law firm with approximately 500 lawyers representing clients based throughout the United States and around the world. For more information, visit www.dwt.com.