Practice Area(s)

Education
  • University of Washington School of Law (J.D., 1994)
  • Yale University (B.A., 1984)

 

Admitted to Practice
  • Washington

 

Robin’s practice focuses on the protection of intellectual property rights across all media and marketing channels, and in all venues. She has resolved disputes or provided proactive advice involving trademark, trade dress, trade secret, copyright, false advertising, domain name and social media issues to a wide range of businesses and individuals. Her work has involved products as diverse as bicycle parts, anti-chafe skin lubricants, children’s costumes, beverages and other food products, hair and skin care products, spa services, heavy equipment trailers, power boats, and, to her personal delight, chocolate truffle recipes and packaging. She advises clients in all phases of selecting, protecting and licensing their intellectual property, including the drafting and enforcement of non-competition, work for hire agreements in the employment contexts.

Many of Robin’s clients operate within the franchise industry, as franchisors, franchisees or businesses seeking to expand their growth through franchising. She is experienced and skilled in representing her clients and resolving disputes within the unique and highly regulated franchise business environment.

In her career as a litigator at Ryan Swanson, Robin has also been privileged to work on a wide range of commercial matters, including real estate, title, and construction disputes for realtors, builders, developers and owners, and on the myriad complicated issues arising from the dissolution of business partnerships. These experiences, and her background in family business, have made her a well rounded counselor to small to mid-size companies.

Robin is a trained mediator and is available to assist in resolving a wide range of commercial and private disputes. No matter the subject or venue, Robin’s goal is to provide her clients with an objective assessment of their situation, an accurate forecast of likely outcomes, sensible advice, sensitive negotiations, timely communication and zealous advocacy.

Representative Experience
  • Jury trial of trade dress infringement resulting in injunction and damages;
  • Jury trial of false advertising claim in federal court;
  • Resolution of multiple trademark infringement actions in federal courts around the country, through summary judgment or negotiation;
  • Resolution of trademark registration, opposition, cancellation and other inter partes proceedings through the TTAB;
  • Local counsel representation for international and national clients to provide Seattle-based assistance in franchise and intellectual property disputes/trials
  • Arbitration of partnership dissolution matter involving long term fraudulent conduct
  • Resolution of numerous non-competition clause enforcement issues for corporate and individual clients
  • Resolution of numerous franchisor-franchisee disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration and formal litigation
  • Appeal to Washington State Court of Appeals to enforce neighborhood building covenants
  • Appeal to Washington State Court of Appeals to reverse adverse trial court ruling in a partnership dissolution matter
Honors and Awards
  • Certified Mediator, University of Washington (2004)
  • CTM, Toastmasters, International (2002)
  • Chapter Member of the Year, King County Washington Women Lawyers (2000)
  • Washington Law and Politics' Rising Star® (2001)
Professional and Community Activities
  • Member, International Trademark Association
  • Co-chair, Seattle Women’s Franchise Network
  • Member, International Franchise Association
  • Board Member, Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association of Seattle
  • Co-Lead, University of Washington Perinatal Patient and Family Advisory Council
  • Business Roundtable Facilitator: International Franchise Association Annual Convention (2008)
  • Member, King County Washington Women Lawyers (Board Member 1994-98)
  • UW Law Student Mentor
  • Participant, PEPS (Program for Early Parenting Support)
  • Member, King County Bar Association
recent Articles and presentations
Background

Robin was born in New York City and raised on a vineyard in the Finger Lakes of New York, where her family started a nationwide produce marketing business. Her background in the family business and co-ownership of a small electrical contracting company, as well as professional work in the non-profit world of theatre and music administration, give her a unique ability to understand, analyze and help resolve business disputes from a client’s perspective.