Peter handles complex corporate and intellectual property litigation. He has litigated patent, trademark, trade dress, copyright, and corporate cases in state and federal court in 19 states and before federal agencies. He has represented over a dozen of the 100 largest Internet retailers. He has tried to jury verdict as lead counsel several multi–million dollar corporate and intellectual property cases.

Peter is the former State Solicitor for the State of Maine, and was responsible for all civil appeals for the State of Maine. In that capacity, he won the National Association of Attorneys General award for Best Brief in the U.S. Supreme Court as lead counsel in Alden v. Maine, 527 U.S. 706 (1999), which he also argued and won. He has acted as lead counsel in over 100 appeals for public and private party clients in the U.S. Supreme Court, the First, Second, Third, Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Eleventh, District of Columbia, and Federal Circuits, and state appellate courts in California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, and Tennessee. He has been lead counsel for numerous retailers and retail organizations in amicus curiae briefs submitted in major patent cases in the U.S. Supreme Court and the Federal Circuit.

Education

• Bates College (B.A., Honors in Philosophy, 1977)
• Oxford University (1975 – 1976)
• Boston University School of Law (J.D., 1981, Homer Albers Moot Court Competition, 1980, Best Speaker, Best Team)

Honors

• AV ranking by Martindale–Hubbell
• Local Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation
• IP Star, Managing Intellectual Property
• Best Lawyers in America® in the fields of Commercial Litigation, Litigation–Intellectual Property, and Litigation–Patent
• Super Lawyers® in Business Litigation and Intellectual Property Litigation (2012 – 2020)
• National Affiliate Volunteer of the Year, National Wildlife Federation (2008)
• State Environmental Award, Natural Resources Council of Maine (2004)
• National Association of Attorneys General, Best Brief in the U.S. Supreme Court, Alden v. Maine, 527 U.S. 706 (1999)
• Rotary International Fellowship, Friendship Exchange, Manchester, England (1984)
• Boston University School of Law, Homer Albers Moot Court Competition, Best Team, Best Speaker (1980)

Affiliations & Publications

• Columbia University Law School, Visiting Adjunct Lecturer (2010 – 2016)
• Harvard Law School, Lecturer in Law (2016 – present)
• Yale Law School, Lecturer in Law (2019)
• Bates College, Mellon Learning Associate (2003)
• State of Maine, Assistant Attorney General, State Solicitor (1981 – 1999)
• Frog Legs Are Tasty, A Recipe for the Law Court, 14 Maine Bar Journal 300 (1999)
• The Final Judgment Rule: The Catch 22 of Appellate Practice, 18 Maine Bar Bulletin, 1 (1984)
• Tufts University, Visiting Lecturer and Debate Coach (1979 – 1981)

Brann & Isaacson

Brann & Isaacson has litigated patent, trademark, trade dress, and copyright cases in the International Trade Commission and in federal court in 19 states, including the busiest intellectual property districts of the country. The firm only represents defendants in cases brought by patent trolls and others “monetizing” their patent portfolios. We primarily represent retailers, both large and small, including over a dozen of the 100 largest Internet retailers. We do not believe that ““one size fits all. ” Whatever the client’s best interest may be—to participate in a joint defense group or go it alone; to litigate aggressively or take a cost–of–defense settlement; to seek third–party indemnification or defend its home–grown system—will be the path we take.

Brann & Isaacson advises companies, from start–ups to brand–name companies with large trademark and copyright portfolios, on the proper care of their intellectual property. Our extensive work in the catalog and online merchant space gives us the depth and breadth of expertise to assess a trademark or copyright issue and move quickly to an action plan. We have successfully searched and cleared thousands of potential trademarks, and are responsible for the prosecution and maintenance of thousands of marks in the United States and around the world. Whether a client’s needs include selecting a new brand or product name or dealing with a letter alleging trademark or copyright infringement, we have the tools and experience to help clients identify and achieve quickly the best business solution.