About Jeffrey A. Wakolbinger

Jeff Wakolbinger concentrates his practice on trademarks, copyrights, unfair competition and trade secrets. He works with a wide range of clients, from small-business owners to multinational corporations in fashion, tech, hospitality and other industries. Jeff helps these clients clear intellectual property, obtain registrations and resolve and avoid disputes.

Many intellectual property disputes can be avoided through due diligence

Jeff has represented the owners of many well-known brands in litigation and appeals in federal court and before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. He also has defended clients in a wide range of industries including entertainment, consumer electronics, fashion and pharmaceuticals. Jeff has been involved in all stages of litigation from pleadings and preliminary injunctions to trial and appeal. He regularly counsels clients on how to avoid litigation in matters involving trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and advertising. He suggests that they strengthen their own intellectual property rights and respect the rights of others.

Jeff remains active with the University of Illinois College of Law and regularly serves as a mentor for current law students. 

Prior to joining Katten, Jeff served as a law clerk to a federal district court judge in the Northern District of Illinois. He was also an associate at a boutique law firm, focusing primarily on domestic and foreign trademarks.

In law school, he served as symposium editor of the University of Illinois Law Review, and he is currently an editor of the Trademark Reporter, the law journal of the International Trademark Association.

Before attending law school, Jeff worked as a musician and recording engineer in Los Angeles. He still maintains a strong interest in the arts and regularly devotes time to pro bono matters for up-and-coming artists.

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Practice Focus

  • Intellectual property
  • Intellectual property litigation
  • Copyrights and copyright litigation
  • Trademarks and trademark litigation
  • Trade secret protection and litigation
  • Litigation

News

Publications

Presentations and Events

Practices
Industries
Education
  • University of Illinois College of Law, JD, Order of the Coif
  • Millikin University, BM, summa cum laude
Bar Admissions
  • Illinois
Court Admissions
  • US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • US District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Trial Bar
  • US District Court, Southern District of Illinois
Community Involvements
  • American Bar Association
  • Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago
  • The Brett Armin Sarcoma Foundation
  • University of Illinois College of Law, Alumni Board
  • The Trademark Reporter, Editor
Recognitions
Recognized or listed in the following:
  • Super Lawyers
    Illinois, 2019–2021
  • Super Lawyers Rising Stars
    Illinois, 2014–2018
Award Methodologies