Overview
Nicholas J. Nowak is a trial-tested intellectual property attorney with more than twenty years of experience representing leading innovators and global brands in complex patent, trademark, and trade secret disputes. His practice spans federal district court and International Trade Commission (ITC) litigation, brand protection, and IP-related business law.
Nick has served as lead counsel in high-stakes matters across industries including medical devices, consumer electronics, automotive, software, and fashion. He is known for aligning litigation strategy with business priorities—helping clients protect innovation, resolve disputes efficiently, and turn IP assets into competitive advantage.
Before founding Nowak IP Group, Nick was a partner at a leading boutique intellectual property law firm, where he led litigation teams for Fortune 500 and emerging-technology clients. He also served as Assistant General Counsel for Brand Protection for a leading international automobile manufacturer, where he established and led the company’s U.S. anti-counterfeiting and design-patent enforcement program.
Nick began his career at an internationally recognized intellectual property law firm based in New York City before moving to a leading international law firm based in Washington, D.C., representing clients in major patent cases involving cutting-edge technologies. Through Nowak IP Group, Nick brings large-firm experience, in-house perspective, and a business-first philosophy to clients seeking sophisticated, results-oriented IP counsel.
Recognition
Nick has been consistently recognized for excellence in intellectual property litigation and brand protection. He is listed in the World Trademark Review 1000 for enforcement and litigation, where clients have described him as “an all-round IP litigator trusted by industry leaders for his business acumen and tenacity in protecting their most valuable assets.” The publication has also noted his “confident and persuasive advocacy, meticulous preparation, and highly commercial approach.”
While a patent litigation partner at a leading boutique intellectual property law firm, Nick was part of the firm’s Trademark & Brand Protection practice recognized by the Financial Times in its North America Innovative Lawyers report as one of the “Most Innovative Law Firms.” That recognition highlighted creative, business-focused legal strategies for brand owners and rights-holders in rapidly evolving markets.
Across more than two decades of practice, Nick has earned a reputation for client service that blends courtroom precision with strategic business insight—qualities that continue to define Nowak IP Group today.
Events & speaking
Nick regularly speaks and writes on IP enforcement, online marketplace issues, and anti-counterfeiting strategies. A focused list of recent talks and publications will be added as Nowak IP Group launches new resources.
Representative matters
- Lead counsel in patent-infringement and trade-secret litigation before federal district courts and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), involving technologies spanning automotive systems, connected devices, and embedded software.
- Directed brand-protection and anti-counterfeiting enforcement for a major global automotive manufacturer, including design-patent and trade-dress actions and coordinated customs and online-platform takedowns.
- Represented technology, consumer-product, and medical-device companies in multi-venue IP disputes involving parallel proceedings, large co-defendant groups, and complex licensing and indemnification issues.
- Guided high-visibility trademark and contract litigation for fashion and luxury-goods clients, achieving favorable settlements that preserved commercial relationships and brand value.
- Counseled clients on freedom-to-operate, portfolio development, and pre-suit risk evaluation, ensuring litigation strategy aligned with long-term business objectives.
- Handled post-verdict and appellate advocacy before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and other appellate courts in patent and trademark matters.
- Managed in-house investigations, global enforcement programs, and cross-border coordination for counterfeit-goods interdiction and parallel criminal-referral efforts.
- Advised emerging and established companies on IP-related business transactions, licensing, and strategic alliances involving innovation-driven assets.
- Collaborated with engineering, marketing, and product-management teams to integrate IP enforcement and risk mitigation directly into operational strategy.