Joshua Simmons

Joshua Simmons is a nationally recognized appellate and trial court litigator, who has been lauded as an “exceptional,” “forceful,” and “creative” “brainiac” (Chambers), “Top Attorney” (Law360), and “big-picture thought leader” (WTR). As a Partner at Kirkland & Ellis, Josh focuses on copyright, patent, right of publicity, trademark, trade secret, and unfair competition litigations—particularly complex cases and those of first impression—along with contract, licensing, and domain name disputes. As a “Power Lawyer” (THR) and “Trailblazer” (NLJ), he is sought after for his IP counseling; strategic portfolio management; as well as regulatory and legislative policy advice. His eye-catching litigations involve a range of media (film, news, publishing, social media, sports, television, theatre, and video games) and technologies (artificial intelligence, computer software and services, circuitry and semiconductors, Internet-based systems, medical devices, and telecommunications). Numerous publications have honored Josh for his ground-breaking achievements. The Hollywood Reporter recognized him as a “Power Lawyer” for his practice at the “intersection of entertainment and tech.” National Law Journal named him a “Trailblazer” and “agent of change” in the sports, gaming, and entertainment industries. Columbia Law News called him a “Lion of the Law.” In addition to his full-time litigation practice, Josh hosts PLI’s IP Discussions with Joshua Simmons, and frequently speaks and authors numerous articles on emerging IP trends. He is an active member of the IP bar, serving as an officer and Council member for the ABA Intellectual Property Law Section; chairing various copyright, trademark, Internet, social media, and software committees and task forces; and liaising to organizations on copyright and right of publicity issues. Josh also is a diversity, inclusion, and pro bono leader, for which Columbia OutLaws and QTPOC honored him as the inaugural recipient of the Judge Deborah A. Batts Award for Queer Visibility. Outside Kirkland, his pro bono includes representing asylum seekers before the Department of Homeland Security, as well as IP related matters for the American Theatre Wing, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Fashion Law Institute, and various leading LGTBQ nonprofits.