Kurt Rylander
Managing Attorney
(360) 750-9931
Client Focused: Kurt is dedicated to achieving the best results for his clients. With over 30 years of diverse legal experience, he is a seasoned attorney who understands the complexities of intellectual property (IP) law and business litigation. His extensive background empowers him to provide strategic, result-driven counsel to individuals and companies alike.
Kurt represents clients in all aspects of IP law, including the preparation and prosecution of patent, trademark, and copyright applications. He works closely with clients to craft tailored strategies that maximize the value of their IP portfolios, whether through licensing, acquisition transactions, or securing funding for growth. He is a trusted advisor for businesses seeking guidance on IP issues, especially in transactional matters, helping them protect their innovations and gain a competitive edge.
In litigation, Kurt has a track record of success in both state and federal courts, advocating for clients in high-stakes IP and business disputes. His recent selection as lead counsel for a Petition for Writ of Certiorari before the Supreme Court of the United States in Miller Mendel, Inc. v. City of Anna, Texas (2024) reflects his expertise and the trust his clients place in him to handle their most significant legal challenges.
Highly Experienced: Before founding his own firm, Kurt honed his litigation skills in Washington, D.C., where he represented clients in lawsuits against federal agencies, including the Departments of Treasury, Defense, and Energy. He also took on Fortune 500 companies, making him well-versed in complex, high-stakes litigation. Notably, Kurt appeared as counsel for an amicus curiae brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in the landmark case Adarand Constructors v. Pena (1995), where he was personally sworn in before all nine Justices as a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar.
Kurt’s early career also saw him second-chairing a significant hazardous waste case at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, securing a seven-figure jury verdict for his client—a testament to his ability to deliver favorable outcomes in challenging cases.
Broad Skillset For Complex Problems: Kurt’s three decades of courtroom experience, including eight (8) years of criminal felony defense, span a wide range of litigation, including patent, trademark, and copyright infringement cases, government contract disputes, and general business litigation. Kurt tried numerous jury trials to verdict as lead trial attorney and appeared in court thousands of times. He has represented plaintiffs and defendants in cases for patent infringement, trademark infringement, copyright infringement, and unfair competition, as well as business and shareholder litigation, government contract cases and general litigation in Federal courts. He regularly appears in state and federal appellate courts and secured a notable victory before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in the precedential patent suit, Campbell Pet Company v. Miale et al., F.3d (Fed. Cir. 2008).
As a patent attorney with over 25 years of experience in patent prosecution, Kurt’s technical knowledge spans a broad range of industries. His practice includes domestic and international patent prosecution, and he has successfully handled patent appeals and complex proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Kurt is among a select few who have handled a Section 146 civil action to reverse a priority interference decision—demonstrating his deep understanding of IP law and commitment to his clients.
His expertise also extends to trademarks and copyrights, where he regularly handles oppositions and cancellations before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, as well as registrations with the Library of Congress.
Leadership & Recognition: Kurt is widely recognized for his contributions to the legal field. In 2013, he received a Meritorious Service Award from the Clark County Bar Association, and in 2011, he was honored with the President’s Award for his service. His leadership roles have included serving as President of the Clark County Bar Association, Editor-in-Chief of The Hearsay magazine, and as a Trustee of the Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Washington. In 2010, the Federal Judges of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington honored Kurt by choosing him to serve on the 2010 Magistrate Judge Review Panel. He also has served as a Ninth Circuit Lawyer Representative from the Western District of Washington, attending for the court the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conferences in Honolulu, Hawaii, Huntington Beach, California, and Sun Valley, Idaho.
Kurt’s thought leadership is also evidenced by his speaking engagements, including at the U.S. Capitol for the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (broadcast on CSPAN), as well as his regular guest lectures at Washington State University on negotiation and the law.
Community & Personal: Beyond the courtroom, Kurt is committed to supporting entrepreneurs and early-stage companies through his sponsorship of investor groups such as the Keiretsu Forum NW and the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network. His involvement in these groups helps him stay attuned to the needs of innovators and businesses looking to grow and protect their intellectual property.
In his personal life, Kurt is a black belt in ju jutsu, has run six (6) marathons, most recently in Reykjavik, Iceland, and competed in numerous triathlons and Half Ironman events. An avid tennis player, he regularly competes in USTA leagues and tournaments.
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