Skip to main content
Home
Home

William Cheever Rava

Profile photo for William C. Rava
Profile photo for William C. Rava
Partner

William Cheever Rava

  • Seattle
Print bio

A recognized leader in trademark enforcement, Will helps clients resolve disputes involving trademarks, trade dress, domain names, copyrights, and trade secrets.

Will Rava has successfully litigated disputes in federal courts across the country, before arbitration panels under the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy, and before the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Will also counsels clients in many industries on intellectual property and brand protection strategies, including securing, policing, investigating, and enforcing their rights; investigating and removing from the market counterfeit and other unauthorized goods; and investigating related unlawful internet activities. These matters often involve requests for temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions.

In recent successes, for a leading video game developer, Will won a federal jury verdict in a copyright infringement case related to the distribution of "cheat software," which followed a $4.3 million arbitration victory on related theories. On behalf of another video game developer, Will received a more than $2 million judgment and permanent injunction against a distributor of pirated video games after a contested summary judgment motion. Will has also helped a multi-state cannabis brand enforce its copyrights and trade dress, assisted an online bill-pay platform in defending its ability to use third-party marks fairly, and, in separate cases, helped medical spa and business service brands defeat preliminary injunction motions.

Will is active in his community and is the president of the Perkins Coie Foundation, overseeing $2.5 million in yearly grants to nonprofits. Will is also chair of the Seattle office Civic Engagement Committee, promoting nonprofit board service.

Education & Credentials

Education

  • Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, J.D., cum laude, Order of the Coif, Note and Comment Editor, Northwestern University Law Review, 1998
  • Harvard University, B.A., Government, magna cum laude, 1991

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Washington
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Clerkships

  • Hon. Richard Cudahy, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

Professional Recognition

  • Recognized in the World Trademark Review 1000—The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals, 2018-2022, 2024

    Washington (Silver)

  • Named Best Lawyers’ Seattle " Litigation - Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year," 2018, 2025

  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Litigation - Intellectual Property, 2014-2025

  • Recognized as an IP Star by Managing IP, 2013, 2014, 2016-2024

  • Listed in Super Lawyers Magazine, "Super Lawyers," 2011-2021

  • Volunteer of the Year, Newcomers Resource Project of the King County Bar Association, October 2007

  • Listed in Washington Law & Politics, “Rising Stars of Washington Law,” 2004-2008 

  • Community Legal Services Recognition for Legal Services to the Homeless from the King County Bar Association, May 2001

  • Leadership Tomorrow, Class of 2008

Impact

Professional Leadership

  • Campaign for Equal Justice, Legal Foundation of Washington, Board Member, 2018-present
  • International Trademark Association (INTA)

    Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, Mediation Subcommittee, Member, 2022-present
    Enforcement Committee, Policy Advocacy Subcommittee, Member, 2018-2021
    U.S. Legislation Subcommittee, Member 2014-2017; Chair, 2016-2017

  • King County Bar Association Community Legal Services Committee, Co-Chair, 2004-2006; Member, 2007-2010

Community Involvement

  • IslandWood, Board Member, 2015-2023
  • Artist Trust, Board Member, 2007-2013; President, 2009-2011
  • Ballard Youth Soccer Club, Coach, 2007-2016
Home
Jump back to top