Michael R. Justus

Mike Justus is a tech-savvy litigator and counselor with more than 15 years of experience in intellectual property, advertising law, and emerging issues involving artificial intelligence and technology. He brings a strategic, business-oriented approach to protecting and enforcing clients’ IP and creative assets. Mike’s diverse practice spans trademark, copyright, and advertising law, and he is recognized for his ability to integrate these disciplines in ways that yield practical, high-impact solutions. He represents a broad client base, including Fortune 100 and publicly traded companies, across a wide range of industries.

In his trademark practice, Mike advises clients on global clearance, registration, and enforcement strategies. He litigates trademark disputes in federal courts nationwide and before the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), and routinely handles domain name disputes under the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) and related international procedures. Mike collaborates with local counsel worldwide to develop comprehensive, cross-border registration and enforcement programs. He has managed brand protection efforts for major players in the insurance, fashion, construction, consumer products, chemical, technology, aerospace, and defense sectors. He frequently negotiates license, assignment, and coexistence agreements and leads clients through the trademark life cycle with tailored, cost-effective solutions.

In the advertising arena, Mike advises on compliance with the Lanham Act, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations, National Advertising Division (NAD) precedent, and global advertising standards. He has handled numerous advertising disputes through private negotiations and before NAD, federal courts, and the FTC. He frequently counsels clients regarding “Made in USA” claims, green claims, “compare to” product labels, influencer marketing, online consumer reviews, and a wide variety of product performance and comparative advertising issues. He has served as lead advertising counsel for clients in the clothing and fashion, aerospace, health care, and consumer products industries, helping them substantiate claims, mitigate risk, and resolve disputes across diverse media platforms and jurisdictions.

As a recognized leader in the intersection of law and artificial intelligence, Mike has advised clients on a wide array of emerging legal issues related to AI and generative AI, including copyright, confidentiality, right of publicity, trademark, advertising, and licensing. He helps organizations develop and implement responsible AI use policies and governance programs. Mike holds the certified AI Governance Professional (AIGP) credential from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) and regularly conducts training for in-house legal and business teams. He is a frequent speaker and author on legal issues arising from AI. Law360 recognized him as a top guest contributor in 2023 for his thought leadership on AI and intellectual property.

Mike is active in the International Trademark Association (INTA), where he most recently served as a project team leader on the Emerging Issues Committee. He served on the Planning Committee for the 2019 NAD Annual Conference. A regular speaker and author, Mike contributes to industry publications and conferences on topics spanning trademarks, copyright, advertising, and AI.

• Represented aerospace company in trademark opposition proceedings and infringement lawsuit. The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) found that the client’s mark was famous and consumer confusion was likely. In follow-on suit in Florida federal court, obtained summary judgment of issue preclusion from TTAB ruling, inducing favorable settlement. 
• Represented insurance company in appeal before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals with extensive motion practice. Favorable cybersquatting and trademark infringement verdict was affirmed in favor of client.
• Represented construction and mining equipment company in trademark opposition. The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board found that client's mark was famous and that consumer confusion was likely. 
• Represented consumer appliance company in false advertising lawsuit in California federal court. Obtained preliminary injunction for client.
• Represented media company in false advertising lawsuit in New York federal court. Obtained summary judgment of liability and trial verdict on remedies for client. 
• Represented consumer products companies in several NAD challenges with favorable results. 
• Represented real estate company in investigation by the FTC. 
• Represented kitchenware company in design patent lawsuit in Washington federal court. Obtained dismissal on summary judgment for client. 
• Represented consumer products company in trademark infringement lawsuit in Florida federal court. Resulted in favorable settlement for client. 
• Represented aerospace company in trademark infringement and dilution lawsuit in New York federal court. Obtained favorable settlement for client. 
• Represented sporting goods company in trademark infringement and dilution lawsuit in California federal court. Resulted in favorable settlement for client. 
• Represented consumer electronics company in trademark infringement and dilution lawsuit in Texas federal court. Obtained favorable settlement for client. 
• Represented insurance company in trademark infringement and dilution lawsuit in Connecticut federal court. Resulted in favorable settlement for client. 

• Global trademark counsel for large U.S.-based companies in the paint and coatings, consumer products, aerospace, and defense industries. 
• U.S. trademark counsel for major European fashion brands. 
• Advertising counsel for companies in the food, fintech, health care, aerospace, and fashion industries. 
•  Counsel for clients across various industries regarding novel issues with AI and generative AI.

• Chambers USA (2025–2026)
• Managing Intellectual Property, IP Star – Trademark (2025)
• The Legal 500 (2024–2025)
• Washington, D.C., Rising Stars, Super Lawyers Magazine (2014–2018)
• WTR 1000 (2025)
• Top Guest Author, AI and IP,  Law360(2023)

• International Trademark Association
• International Association of Privacy Professionals
• National Advertising Division

• "Family Business Through a Legal Lens," Loyola University Chicago's Family Business Center, Chicago, IL (April 29, 2025)
• "AI as Co-Creator: Legal Updates and Compliance Strategies," ANA Advertising Law Conference (March 26, 2025)
• "It's Not Magic; It's Math: Responsibly Using AI for Your Family and Business," Charting a Course for Family Business Legal Leadership: GCs and Principals in Dialogue, Loyola University Chicago's Family Business Center, Chicago, IL (April 16, 2024)
• "The Latest on AI," ANA Advertising Law Conference (March 20, 2024)
• "How Companies Are Calibrating Risk Tolerance for Generative AI," How Companies Are Calibrating Risk Tolerance for Generative AI, and AI and Legal Ethics: A Risk-Benefit Analysis (July 25, 2023)
• ANA Law Conference (July 19, 2023)
• Brand Activation Legal Committee Meeting (November 17, 2022)
• Brand Activation Legal Committee Meeting (December 16, 2021)
• "Remote Trial Practice," The Realities of Virtual Litigation (January 27–February 17, 2021)
• NAD Annual Conference (September 23–24, 2019)