May 2025–Present
Current role
Partner
Wiley Rein LLP
Washington DC, District of Columbia
Legal ServicesInternational Trade LawLegalAppellate LitigationCybercrime
About
Chris represents clients in connection with all aspects of trademark enforcement, procurement, and management, including trademark and unfair competition litigation in the federal courts and proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, cybersquatting and Internet domain name disputes and litigation, including proceedings under the Uniform Dispute Resolution Procedure (UDRP), domestic and international trademark clearance and prosecution, licensing and client counseling. Chris is a frequent speaker at INTA and ABA events, speaking on critical issues for U.S. and foreign mark-holders.
Roles
Jan 1990–May 1994
Former role
Attorney-Advisor
U.S. Department of Commerce(DOC), Trademark Examining Operations
(appointed)District of Columbia
Attorney AdvisorResearch
Representative matters
Experience
May 2025
Assists clients with all aspects of domestic and international trademark portfolio management, including clearance, prosecution and maintenance, counseling, licensing and transactional matters, and trademark enforcement and litigation. Advises clients on various Internet issues, including domain name disputes and copyright matters. Represents industries including restaurant chains, media and communications conglomerates, Internet and insurance firms, and textile and food manufacturers.
Recognition
Honors
The Best Lawyers of America directory for Litigation - Intellectual Property
The Best Lawyers of America
January 2024
Included in The Best Lawyers of America directory for Litigation - Intellectual Property (2024)
"America's Leading Lawyers for Business" in Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets
Chambers USA
January 2024
Listed by Chambers USA as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" in Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets (2014-2016)
Publications & speeches
Christopher Kelly Named Chair of USPTO Trademark Public Advisory Committee
Wiley.law
December 2020
Washington, DC – Wiley partner Christopher Kelly, chair of the firm’s Trademark Practice, has been named Chair of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Trademark Public Advisory Committee (TPAC). Mr. Kelly will serve in this position for a one-year term ending December 1, 2021. He served as Vice Chair of TPAC for the past year.
U.S. Supreme Court Rules Willfulness not Required for Trademark Profits
Wiley.law
May 2020
In a case that more closely aligns trademark law jurisprudence with other areas of intellectual property law, the U.S. Supreme Court recently held that a plaintiff need not establish that an infringer acted willfully to recover the infringer’s profits. The Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in Romag Fasteners, Inc., v. Fossil, Inc., 590 U.S. _ (2020), resolves a six-six circuit split regarding whether section 1117(a) of the Lanham Act requires a showing of willful infringement as a prerequisite for an award of the infringer’s profits for a violation of section 1125(a). Parties involved in disputes over improper profits should pay close attention to this decision and monitor how lower courts implement the holding.
Christopher Kelly Named Vice Chair of USPTO Trademark Public Advisory Committee
Wiley.law
January 2020
Washington, DC — Wiley Rein LLP partner Christopher Kelly, chair of the firm’s Trademark Practice, has been appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross to serve as Vice Chair of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Trademark Public Advisory Committee (TPAC). Mr. Kelly is serving in this position for a one-year term ending December 1, 2020.
Christopher Kelly Comments on Trademark Infringement Suit Against Off-White
Wiley.law
July 2019
Wiley Rein partner Christopher Kelly, chair of the firm’s Trademark Practice, was quoted by WWD in a July 9 article about a trademark infringement lawsuit brought against fashion brand Off-White LLC by advertising and creative agency OffWhite Co. The advertising agency claims that it used the name well before designer Virgil Abloh founded his fashion label.
Wiley Rein Helps Secure Important First Amendment Win in Supreme Court Trademark Case
Wiley.law
June 2019
Washington, DC - Wiley Rein LLP helped secure an important First Amendment victory in Iancu v. Brunetti, a high-profile U.S. Supreme Court case concerning the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s refusal to register immoral or scandalous trademarks.
Basics Track: Franchisor's Intellectual Property and How to Protect It
IFA Legal Symposium — Washington DC
May 2019
Consumer Products – Don’t Mess With Our Family (Of Marks)!
International Trademark Association 2012 Annual Meeting
May 2012