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    Stephen D. Wilson

    Counsel

    Pensacola/Destin
    850-202-3342
    steve.wilson@phelps.com
    Areas Of Focus
    Intellectual PropertyBusinessLitigation

    Stephen Wilson protects clients and their valuable assets worldwide as they expand their market share. Startups, global companies and public figures trust his command of fast-moving intellectual property (IP) and business law and track record of courtroom success to enforce their competitive interests. He prepares and prosecutes U.S. and international trademark and copyright applications and manages IP portfolios covering over 140 countries with a hands-on approach and strategic foresight to guard against infringement and litigation risks.

    Clients rely on Steve to find practical solutions to a wide range of business problems. They benefit from his ability to anticipate how tech and market moves impact their long-term goals. Exploring innovative ways to protect clients’ rights allows Steve to spot potential vulnerabilities and put protections in place to bridge any gaps. He routinely conducts IP audits, forms startup, IP holding and operating companies, and protects valuable assets through:

    • IP licenses and assignments
    • Nondisclosure and noncompete agreements
    • Right of publicity and privacy agreements
    • Website, app and software terms of use and privacy and copyright policies
    • Trade secret and data protection policies
    • Work-for-hire agreements
    • Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recordations

    Steve’s experience leading over 100 lawsuits gives clients confidence that his safeguards can avoid or well-equip them for any conflicts that arise. He’s well-versed in pursuing cease and desist letters and takedown notices and preparing settlement, phaseout and coexistence agreements.

    When contentious disputes cannot be amicably resolved, Steve secures emergency relief and finds solutions through IP and commercial litigation, opposition and cancellation proceedings, arbitration, mediation, settlement conferences and appeals. He represents clients in matters before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) and United States Copyright Office (USCO), as well as state and federal courts and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) tribunals. He’s adept at resolving trademark, copyright, trade secret, cybersquatting, privacy and publicity rights, unfair competition, patent and other IP disputes.

    Steve brings a proven history leading legal teams on the latest issues affecting the sports and entertainment and food and beverage industries. He’s often called on to manage contract negotiations, corporate governance and regulatory compliance issues.

    Steve’s experience leading over 100 lawsuits gives clients confidence that his safeguards can avoid or well-equip them for any conflicts that arise. He’s well-versed in pursuing cease and desist letters and takedown notices and preparing settlement, phaseout and coexistence agreements.

    When contentious disputes cannot be amicably resolved, Steve secures emergency relief and finds solutions through IP and commercial litigation, opposition and cancellation proceedings, arbitration, mediation, settlement conferences and appeals. He represents clients in matters before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) and United States Copyright Office (USCO), as well as state and federal courts and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) tribunals. He’s adept at resolving trademark, copyright, trade secret, cybersquatting, privacy and publicity rights, unfair competition, patent and other IP disputes.

    Steve brings a proven history leading legal teams on the latest issues affecting the sports and entertainment and food and beverage industries. He’s often called on to manage contract negotiations, corporate governance and regulatory compliance issues.

    Insights

    • May 1, 2025

      It’s Official! Phelps and Beggs & Lane Have Combined…

    Recognition

    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • WTR 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals, World Trademark Review (2020-2025)
    • Top-Rated Lawyer, Martindale-Avvo (2024-2025)
    • Recommended Lawyer – Sports & Gaming, Lexology Index (2024)
    • Top-Rated Lawyer, Avvo (2024)
    • The Top 100 Attorneys, The Top 100 Magazine (2023)
    • Top Rated Lawyer (2021-2023), Top Rated Lawyer in Intellectual Property Law (2015-2016, 2019-2023), Top Rated Litigator (2015, 2019-2023), ALM Media and Martindale-Hubbell
    • America’s Most Honored Lawyers – Top 1% (2020-2024), Most Awarded Lawyers (2023), America’s Most Honored Florida Lawyers (2023), America’s Most Honored Professionals – Top 1% (2016-2019), Top Attorneys in New England (2016), The American Registry
    • New England Top Lawyers, New England Top Lawyers (2016-2017)
    • Who’s Who Legal - Sports & Gaming (2022-2023), World’s Leading Sports Lawyers (2015-2016), World’s Leading Sports & Entertainment Lawyers (2014-2015), World’s Leading Entertainment Lawyers (2015-2016), The International Who’s Who of Sports & Entertainment Lawyers (2013), Who’s Who Legal
    • Best for Intellectual Property Transactions – Maine, Corporate America M&A Awards (2015)
    • First Circuit Litigation Star: Maine (2013), Litigation Star (2013), Appellate (2013, 2015), Benchmark Litigation
    • New England’s Outstanding Young Lawyers: Business Litigation (2011), New England’s Outstanding Young Lawyers (2010), Top Attorneys
    • New England Super Lawyers List (2016), New England Rising Stars List (2008, 2010-2011), Super Lawyers
    • 100 Hours Volunteer Pin, American Red Cross Disaster Relief Services
    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • WTR 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals, World Trademark Review (2020-2025)
    • Top-Rated Lawyer, Martindale-Avvo (2024-2025)
    • Recommended Lawyer – Sports & Gaming, Lexology Index (2024)
    • Top-Rated Lawyer, Avvo (2024)
    • The Top 100 Attorneys, The Top 100 Magazine (2023)
    • Top Rated Lawyer (2021-2023), Top Rated Lawyer in Intellectual Property Law (2015-2016, 2019-2023), Top Rated Litigator (2015, 2019-2023), ALM Media and Martindale-Hubbell
    • America’s Most Honored Lawyers – Top 1% (2020-2024), Most Awarded Lawyers (2023), America’s Most Honored Florida Lawyers (2023), America’s Most Honored Professionals – Top 1% (2016-2019), Top Attorneys in New England (2016), The American Registry
    • New England Top Lawyers, New England Top Lawyers (2016-2017)
    • Who’s Who Legal - Sports & Gaming (2022-2023), World’s Leading Sports Lawyers (2015-2016), World’s Leading Sports & Entertainment Lawyers (2014-2015), World’s Leading Entertainment Lawyers (2015-2016), The International Who’s Who of Sports & Entertainment Lawyers (2013), Who’s Who Legal
    • Best for Intellectual Property Transactions – Maine, Corporate America M&A Awards (2015)
    • First Circuit Litigation Star: Maine (2013), Litigation Star (2013), Appellate (2013, 2015), Benchmark Litigation
    • New England’s Outstanding Young Lawyers: Business Litigation (2011), New England’s Outstanding Young Lawyers (2010), Top Attorneys
    • New England Super Lawyers List (2016), New England Rising Stars List (2008, 2010-2011), Super Lawyers
    • 100 Hours Volunteer Pin, American Red Cross Disaster Relief Services

    Education

    • Boston University School of Law, J.D., Intellectual Property Concentration, 1998
    • University of Maine, B.A., English, summa cum laude, 1995
    • Boston University School of Law, J.D., Intellectual Property Concentration, 1998
    • University of Maine, B.A., English, summa cum laude, 1995

    Credentials

    • Florida
    • Maine
    • Massachusetts
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
    • U.S. District Court, District of Maine
    • U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
    • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
    • Judicial Law Clerk for Hon. Paul L. Rudman, Maine Supreme Judicial Court
    • Florida
    • Maine
    • Massachusetts
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
    • U.S. District Court, District of Maine
    • U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
    • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
    • Judicial Law Clerk for Hon. Paul L. Rudman, Maine Supreme Judicial Court

    Memberships and Affiliations

    Professional

    • International Trademark Association (INTA), U.S. Litigators Local Counsel, Building Bridges Committee (2022-2025), Advertising and Marketing Associations Subcommittee (2022-2025), Enforcement Committee (2014-2017), Trademark Enforcement Policy Advocacy Subcommittee (2016-2017), Judicial Administration & Trademark Litigation Subcommittee (2014-2015)
    • Athletes & Executives, Former Board of Advisors, Former Ambassador
    • The Florida Bar, Business Law Section, Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section, Trial Lawyers Section
    • Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association
    • Walton County Bar Association
    • Okaloosa Bar Association
    • American Bar Association, Section of Intellectual Property Law, Forum on Entertainment & Sports Industries, Litigation Section, Advisory Panel
    • Maine Trial Lawyers Association
    • Maine State Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section, Former Board of Governors, Governing Council of Young Lawyers Section – Former Chair and Director
    • Cumberland Bar Association – Past President (2015-2016), President (2014-2016), First Vice President (2013-2014), General Committee (2006-2013)
    • Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce (2004-2017)

    Civic

    • Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Escambia County Board Chair, Northwest Florida FCA Board of Directors, Maine Advisory Board Chair (2011-2017)
    • Junior Achievement of Maine, Incorporated (2005-2016), Board of Directors, Programs & Volunteers Committee, Titan Challenge Committee, Titan Challenge Business Mentor, Golf Committee
    • Christian Leaders In Maine Business (C.L.I.M.B.) – Former Co-Chair, Former Director
    • Maine Jazz Alliance – Former Vice President, Former Board Member
    • American Red Cross Disaster Relief Services - Northridge Earthquake (Los Angeles, California) Disaster Relief Services Volunteer (1994)

    Professional

    • International Trademark Association (INTA), U.S. Litigators Local Counsel, Building Bridges Committee (2022-2025), Advertising and Marketing Associations Subcommittee (2022-2025), Enforcement Committee (2014-2017), Trademark Enforcement Policy Advocacy Subcommittee (2016-2017), Judicial Administration & Trademark Litigation Subcommittee (2014-2015)
    • Athletes & Executives, Former Board of Advisors, Former Ambassador
    • The Florida Bar, Business Law Section, Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section, Trial Lawyers Section
    • Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association
    • Walton County Bar Association
    • Okaloosa Bar Association
    • American Bar Association, Section of Intellectual Property Law, Forum on Entertainment & Sports Industries, Litigation Section, Advisory Panel
    • Maine Trial Lawyers Association
    • Maine State Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section, Former Board of Governors, Governing Council of Young Lawyers Section – Former Chair and Director
    • Cumberland Bar Association – Past President (2015-2016), President (2014-2016), First Vice President (2013-2014), General Committee (2006-2013)
    • Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce (2004-2017)

    Civic

    • Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Escambia County Board Chair, Northwest Florida FCA Board of Directors, Maine Advisory Board Chair (2011-2017)
    • Junior Achievement of Maine, Incorporated (2005-2016), Board of Directors, Programs & Volunteers Committee, Titan Challenge Committee, Titan Challenge Business Mentor, Golf Committee
    • Christian Leaders In Maine Business (C.L.I.M.B.) – Former Co-Chair, Former Director
    • Maine Jazz Alliance – Former Vice President, Former Board Member
    • American Red Cross Disaster Relief Services - Northridge Earthquake (Los Angeles, California) Disaster Relief Services Volunteer (1994)
    • Overview
    • Insights
    • Recognition
    • Education
    • Credentials
    • Memberships and Affiliations

    Related Services

    • Intellectual Property
    • Business
    • Litigation
    • Appellate
    • Commercial Contracts
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Corporate and Securities
    • Cybersecurity, Privacy and Data Protection
    • Emerging Businesses
    • Franchise and Distribution
    • Gaming
    • Media and First Amendment Law
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Unfair Competition and Business Torts
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
    • Media, Sports and Entertainment
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