1420 Fifth Avenue Suite 3700, Seattle, WA USA 98101
1801 Century Park East Suite 2300, Los Angeles, CA USA 90067
Chris Varas specializes in domestic and international disputes involving trademarks, copyrights and rights of publicity. He litigates cutting edge intellectual property and technology issues for some of the world’s most recognized companies and has significant experience obtaining and defending against motions for restraining orders and preliminary injunctions. Chris also develops and manages large-scale global programs to enforce and defend his clients' intellectual property portfolios. He has been listed as a "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers in both Washington State and Southern California.
Chris began his career as an associate with an international law firm in its Seattle, Washington office, where his practice focused on issues relating to cybersquatting, phishing and unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material. In 2008 he joined Keats McFarland & Wilson LLP, a boutique litigation firm in Beverly Hills, California specializing in intellectual property and technology. He joined Kilpatrick when Keats McFarland & Wilson merged with Kilpatrick in 2013.
Chris was recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in 2023 for Trademark Law and again in 2024 and 2025 for Advertising Law, Copyright Law, and Trademark Law. He is listed in the 2024 edition of World Trademark Review 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals.
Experience
Developed and manages complex international trademark dispute programs for some of the country's most recognized technology companies, managing large teams of associates, counsel and professional staff, and quarterbacking the clients' local outside counsel around the world.
Regularly advises one of the world's largest entertainment companies on copyright, trademark and right of publicity claims.
Represented clients including Instagram, Airbnb, Snap, Zynga, Yahoo and Fossil in federal and state lawsuits involving intellectual property and right of publicity claims.
Obtained temporary restraining orders that effectively prevented defendants in the United States and elsewhere from livestreaming and otherwise distributing high profile copyrighted content.
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Events
Advertising Counseling & Disputes
Anti-Counterfeiting & Gray Markets
University of Edinburgh LL.M. (2007) Innovation, Technology and the Law, with honours
Northwestern University School of Law M.S.c. (2002) cum laude, Order of the Coif
Lawrence University M.S.c. (1998) magna cum laude
California (2008)
Washington (2002)
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
International Trademark Association (2013-Present)
Copyright Society of the U.S.A. (2013-Present)
Washington State Bar Association, Civil Rights Committee, Co-Chair (2003-2006)
ACLU of Washington, Board of Directors and Speakers’ Bureau, Member (2003-2006)
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