Rasheed McWilliams
Rasheed McWilliams is a first-chair trial counsel with almost two decades of experience advising technology companies on intellectual property enforcement and defense, including with respect to matters involving patents, trademarks, and copyrights before federal courts and the U.S. International Trade Commission. His extensive experience with diverse technologies includes computer hardware and software, consumer electronics, telephony and Voice over IP (VoIP), network security, and secure storage media.
Rasheed's clients include companies in established and emerging industries such as software, artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR), and cryptocurrency. In addition to his intellectual property enforcement and defense practice, he defends clients in matters involving the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
Rasheed also represents clients in a wide variety of commercial litigation matters, including breach of contract, consumer litigation, and unfair competition. He is further experienced with transactional matters in the fields of entertainment and technology, particularly with relation to intellectual property acquisition, divestment, and licensing agreements.
Practice Highlights
IP trial practice
Transactional work
Media and entertainment
Experience
Misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition*
Lead counsel for defendants in a misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition case. After defeating a motion for contempt of a preliminary injunction during a Zoom hearing, the case settled favorably for the defendants. (S.D. Fla. 2020)
Copyright infringement*
Lead counsel for film distributor in private arbitration before the International Film and Television Alliance regarding the unauthorized distribution of the film "Taxi to the Dark Side." The case settled favorably with an admission of liability and consent award. (IFTA 2020)
Trademark enforcement*
Lead counsel for successful California cannabis brand in enforcing the rights to its trademarks. The campaign was a combination of online takedown efforts against Chinese counterfeit vape cartridge sellers and aggressive cease and desist practice against distribution of counterfeit vape cartridges in California. (Ongoing)
Patent infringement action*
Lead counsel for defendant in patent infringement action filed in federal district court relating to interlocking laminate floors resulting in a favorable settlement for defendant. (C.D. Cal. 2017)
Copyright and trade dress infringement*
First chair trial counsel for defendants and counterclaim-plaintiffs in a copyright and trade dress infringement jury trial in federal district court. After a four-day trial, the jury returned a verdict of non-infringement of copyrights and trade dress for all defendants on all causes of action and a finding of liability on a copyright infringement counterclaim filed by two of the counterclaim plaintiffs. (C.D. Cal. 2016)
Trademark infringement action*
First chair trial counsel for defendant and counterclaim-plaintiff in trademark infringement action in federal district court relating to trademarks for Western boots. After a one-day bench trial, the court returned a verdict of non-infringement against defendant and a finding of trademark infringement against the counterclaim-defendant. (C.D. Cal. 2014)
* Denotes experience prior to joining Davis Wright Tremaine
Admitted to Practice
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New York, 2004
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Georgia, 2007
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California, 2012
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U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 2014
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U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, 2007
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U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit, 2016
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U.S. District Court Central District of California, 2012
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U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 2012
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U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 2014
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U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia, 2007
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U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 2004
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U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, 2004
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U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas, 2008
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U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 2012
Education
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J.D., New York University School of Law, 2003
- Dean's Scholarship
- Black Allied Law Students Association
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B.S., Chemistry, Morehouse College, 1999, magna cum laude
- President, Golden Key National Honor Society
- Chief Justice, Honors & Conduct Review Board
Memberships & Affiliations
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- Morehouse National Alumni Association
- Greater Los Angeles Morehouse Alumni Association
- John M. Langston Bar Association of Los Angeles
- National Bar Association
- California Association of Black Lawyers
- Henry Lyman Morehouse Society, Morehouse College
- Weinfeld Benefactor, New York University School of Law
- Board Member, Hope in the Hills Church, 2011-2017
Background
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- Partner, Zuber Lawler, Los Angeles
- Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Reedley Ventures LLC, Los Angeles, 2020
- President and Co-founder, iPEL, Inc., Pasadena, Calif., 2017-2020
- Chair, Litigation Practice, Cotman IP Law Group, PLC, Pasadena, Calif., 2014-2017
- Co-founder, President and General Counsel, Black Shield Entertainment, Atlanta, 2002-2017
- Affiliated Agent, Kneerim & Williams, Los Angeles, 2011-2014
- Chair, IP Committee, Langston Bar Association, Los Angeles, 2013-2014
- Partner, Adli Law Group P.C., Los Angeles, 2011-2013
- Of Counsel, Molden Holley & Thompson LLC, Atlanta, 2010-2011
- Senior Associate, Fish & Richardson P.C., 2006-2010
- Associate, Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto, New York, 2001-2006