Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Firm overview:

A premier legal advisor to high-growth enterprises, Wilson Sonsini has grown along the same timeline as Silicon Valley. The firm supports clients across all stages of the business lifecycle, from early-stage startups to global expansion, M&A, and public offerings.

“They have a very robust prosecution and litigation practice geared towards technology clients” which is their “bread and butter”, says a peer. The team manages the full brand lifecycle, including clearance, US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) prosecution, licensing, monitoring, and global portfolio strategy. It also handles high-stakes enforcement and litigation before federal courts, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), and regulatory agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

By combining transactional, regulatory, and litigation expertise, Wilson Sonsini helps clients protect, maximise, and monetise their trademarks and trade dress, ensuring brand assets deliver both legal security and commercial value in competitive, fast-moving markets.

Team overview:

Aaron Hendelman, who leads the firm’s Trademark, Copyright, and Advertising practice, is described as “very good on the non-contentious side” by a peer. He advises clients on trademarks, advertising, unfair competition, copyright, and consumer law, with a focus on practical, business-oriented solutions. Hendelman is recognised for managing global trademark portfolios and coordinating seamlessly with foreign counsel to protect brands worldwide.

Another key member of the team, Alyssa Worsham advises clients on global trademark strategy, brand protection, and domain-name disputes. She helps technology and regulated-market companies navigate name-selection risks, clearance, registration, and enforcement, combining legal expertise with practical business insight to protect and maximise the value of trademarks and other critical brand assets worldwide.

Brand protection specialist Christine Au‑Yeung is based in San Francisco and Palo Alto. She advises clients on global brand protection, including trademark clearance, selection, prosecution, licensing, and domain-name disputes. Au‑Yeung also provides guidance on advertising compliance, including TCPA and promotional strategies, helping clients navigate complex marketing and IP challenges with practical, business-focused solutions.

Described as “excellent in the technology sector” by an industry counterpart, John Slafsky retired from the firm in 2025, retaining a position as partner emeritus. Slafsky has more than 25 years’ experience in trademark, copyright and advertising law, with particular expertise in protecting brands in the internet, software and hardware, entertainment, and sports industries.