Kurt represents business owners, investors, and companies in disputes involving significant financial, operational, and ownership interests. His practice focuses on business litigation, intellectual property matters, and arbitration, with an emphasis on resolving conflicts efficiently while protecting long-term business value.

With over 30 years in practice, and thousands of court appearances, Kurt brings a distinctive combination of broad legal experience and substantial courtroom depth. He has served as lead counsel in numerous jury trials and has extensive experience in state and federal courts, including appellate proceedings. This trial-tested background informs his strategic approach—whether litigating through verdict, positioning a case for dispositive motion practice, or negotiating resolution from a position of strength.

His practice includes disputes involving closely held companies, fiduciary duty claims, contract and commercial matters, and real estate-related conflicts. He is frequently engaged in matters where legal strategy must align with business realities.

Kurt also maintains a robust intellectual property practice. A registered patent attorney, he represents clients in matters involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, and is particularly effective in cases involving detailed evidentiary records.

What sets Kurt apart is the breadth of his experience across multiple domains, including state and federal government contracting, commercial litigation, criminal law, probate matters, and intellectual property. This range allows him to identify issues and opportunities that may be overlooked in more narrowly focused representations and to develop strategies that account for the full legal and practical landscape.

Clients value Kurt’s ability to translate challenging problems into clear, actionable guidance. He works closely with clients to identify leverage points early, evaluate risk, and pursue strategies tailored to their objectives. His approach is disciplined, direct, and focused on achieving practical outcomes.

Kurt earned his J.D. with cum laude honors and holds a degree in Economics with a second major in Mathematics, supported by substantial coursework in engineering and computer science. This multidisciplinary background informs his analytical, data-driven approach, particularly in matters involving financial analysis or technical issues.

Kurt has been selected to Super Lawyers, a distinction awarded to a limited percentage of attorneys based on peer recognition and professional achievement.

ARTICLES AND PUBLICATIONS

Innovation searches you should be aware of, Vancouver, Business Journal (2016)

Kurt Rylander Up Close, Vancouver Business Journal (2013)

A Rose By Any Other Name, Vancouver Business Journal (2013)

Inconceivable!, Vancouver Business Journal (2013)

Patents on a Purse String, Vancouver Business Journal (2012)

Common Product Development Mistakes, Vancouver Business Journal (2012)

Innovation Financing Security, Vancouver Business Journal (2011)

Stealth Expert, Intellectual Property Today (2008)

Inventors’ Rights Act of 1999 Gives Inventors New Weapon, WSTLA Trial News

Protecting Your Invention, Vancouver Business Journal (2000)

Scanwell Plus: Challenging Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Awards, ABA Public Contract Law Journal (1998)

Saving a Disappearing Exemption to CERCLA Liability, New York University Environmental Law Journal (1995)

A Review Of Federal Laboratory Credentials, American Environmental Laboratory (1995)

Is This The End Of Federal Minority Contracting?, The Federal Lawyer (1995)

SPEAKING AND PANEL PRESENTATIONS

See Kurt’s speaking engagements in action:

Lecturer, IP Law for Business Majors, Business Administration Class, Oregon State University (2014)
Corvallis, Oregon

Featured Speaker,  Legal Ethics related to IP Trolling, CCBA CLE  (2013)
Vancouver, Washington

Featured Speaker, IP Law, Graphic Design Class (2013)
Clark College, Vancouver, Washington

Featured Speaker, IP Academy, Keiretsu Forum NW (2013)
Seattle, Washington

Featured Speaker, Capital Access Series: Protecting IP, Keiretsu Forum NW (2013)
Seattle, Washington

Featured Speaker, Q&A with IP Lawyer, Graphic Design Class (2012)
Clark College, Vancouver, Washington

Featured Speaker, IP Academy, Keiretsu Forum NW (2012)
Washington State University-Vancouver

Featured Speaker, IP Academy, Keiretsu Forum NW (2012)
Portland State University Business Accelerator

Featured Speaker, IP Update, Clark County PubTalk (2012)
Fort Vancouver National Trust Historic Reserve

Featured Speaker, IP Academy, Keiretsu Forum NW (2011)
Portland State University Business Accelerator

Panelist, One World Business Roundtable (2010)
Vancouver Business Journal Sponsored Roundtable with Russian Federation delegation

Chair and Panelist, Ethical Dilemmas for the Practicing Lawyer (2009)
Washington State Bar Association CLE
(evaluated “bright, intelligent, engaging & knowledgeable”)

Panelist, Business Development Basics (2009)
Lewis & Clark Law School Graduate Fellows Program

Chair and Presenter, Litigation Bootcamp (2009)
Washington State Bar Association CLE
(evaluated “good”, “excellent”, “great”)

Panelist, Lincoln on Professionalism (2009)
Washington State Bar Association CLE
(evaluated “5+ on a scale of 1-4″).

Panelist & Moderator, Ethical Dilemmas for the Practicing Lawyer-In House Counsel (2008)
Washington State Bar Association CLE

Panelist & Moderator, Interview with U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman (2008)
Clark County Bar Association CLE

Presenter, Civil Practice in the Federal & State Courts of Washington (2008)
Clark County Bar Association CLE

Presenter, Law Firm Practice Management (2007)
Clark County Bar Association CLE

Panelist, Ethical Dilemmas for the Practicing Lawyer-Using Experts (2007)
Washington State Bar Association CLE

Presenter, Corporate Record Keeping for Fun and Profit (2006)
Clark County Bar Association CLE

Presenter, Overview of Intellectual Property (2005)
Clark County Bar Association CLE

REPRESENTATIVE CASES KURT HAS HANDLED

Patent Cases

Trademark Cases

Copyright Cases

Trade Secret Cases

Government Contract Cases

Business/Commercial Cases