Justin E. Pierce
Artificial Intelligence, AI Governance, Emerging Technology, and Innovation
Justin advises technology developers, established companies, and emerging businesses on the opportunities and risks associated with AI and other innovative technologies. He helps clients assess legal, regulatory, operational, and reputational considerations related to product development, deployment, commercialization, and technology adoption. Justin's work includes providing strategic guidance on AI governance and consumer protection considerations in the context of evolving U.S. and international regulatory frameworks.
Data Rights, IP Licensing, and Commercial Transactions
Justin counsels clients on the ownership, protection, licensing, and use of IP, data, and technology assets. He advises on matters involving AI models, data licensing, proprietary information, technology commercialization, and strategic business relationships. He regularly helps clients structure and negotiate complex agreements, with a focus on managing legal risk while supporting innovation and growth.
IP Litigation, Brand Protection, and Anti-Counterfeiting
Justin advises clients on the development and implementation of IP protection and enforcement strategies in the U.S. and internationally. His experience includes patents, trademarks, copyrights, design rights, rights of publicity, trade secrets, licensing, advertising-related IP issues, and brand protection initiatives.
Justin works with companies to protect brands, content, products, and reputations through enforcement programs, anti-counterfeiting initiatives, supply chain protection strategies, and other measures designed to safeguard valuable IP assets.
Strategic Transactions and IP Due Diligence
Justin also assists companies, investors, and private equity firms with IP and technology issues arising in mergers, acquisitions, investments, and other strategic transactions. He conducts IP and technology due diligence, evaluates AI and emerging technology assets, and advises on the risks and opportunities associated with technology-driven investments and business initiatives.
Justin is also a frequent speaker on AI, IP strategy, emerging technologies, and innovation-related legal developments. He is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center, where he teaches Strategic Management of Intellectual Property, and he hosts AI & IP: The Legal Frontier, a podcast series exploring AI regulatory developments and litigation risks, and strategies for protecting your IP.
In addition, Justin is an inventor who holds a patent and multiple published patent applications involving mobile applications, augmented and virtual reality technologies, gaming, and anti-counterfeiting innovations. Before attending law school, Justin served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army, where he attained the rank of captain.
Related Practices
- Advertising and Marketing Litigation
- Brand and Content Protection
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Trademark Prosecution and Brand Management
- International Trade and Logistics
- Legislative and Government Affairs
- Trademark Litigation
- Copyrights and Licensing
- Domain Names and Cyber Protection
- Patent Litigation
- Intellectual Property
- International
Experience
Government Experience
- Captain, United States Army
Representative Matters
- Managed numerous IP litigation matters on behalf of a major multinational mobile device manufacturer, including management of §337 patent litigation before the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) and intellectual property litigation in various U.S. federal district courts
- Successfully represented the defendants in a patent lawsuit involving address handling within mobile devices (Arendi S.A.R.L. v. Sony Mobile Communications, et al.)
- Successfully represented the defendant in a patent lawsuit involving encryption and user authentication technologies in computers and mobile devices (MAZ Encryption Technologies, LLC v. BlackBerry Corp.)
- Represented a third party in a patent lawsuit involving a method of connecting computers securely over a wireless network (In re Certain Devices with Secure Communication Capabilities, Components Thereof, and Products Containing the Same); ITC Investigation No. 337-TA-818
- Represented one of the defendants in a patent lawsuit involving form-based operating systems used in internet-connected computing and mobile devices (Cyberfone v. Cellco, et al.)
- Represented a major defense contractor and defended against an infringement action brought in the Court of Federal Claims, involving a patent related to the use of night vision goggles in conjunction with full-color cockpit displays (Honeywell Int’l Inc. v. U.S.); 70 Fed. Cl. 424 (2006)
- Represented a major pharmaceutical company and established patent infringement by a generic drug company in a multi-month patent trial involving a multi-billion-dollar anti-infective agent. 2004 WL 2973831 (N.D. W.Va.)
Insights
Credentials
Education
- J.D. George Washington University Law School
- B.S. United States Military Academy at West Point
Bar Admissions
- District of Columbia
Court Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Professional Memberships and Activities
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, American Intellectual Property Lawyers Association
- Member, International Trademark Association
- Adjunct professor, Georgetown University Law Center, Strategic Management of Intellectual Property Strategy, Georgetown University Law Center
Recognition
- IAM Strategy 300, 2023 – 2026
- World Trademark Review
- WTR 1000, Enforcement and Litigation, 2015 – 2026
- WTR 1000, Prosecution and Strategy, 2013 – 2026
- Legal 500
- Intellectual Property – Patents: Litigation (full coverage), 2019 – 2025
- Managing Intellectual Property, IP Stars, 2022 – 2025
- Lawyers of Color, Law Firm Leaders, 2022
- Super Lawyers, 2023