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Andrew P. Connors, Esq.
Andrew P. Connors is a leading intellectual property and business lawyer in Virginia. He has been practicing since 2010 and has extensive experience in business law, intellectual property, contracts, and related civil litigation. In 2016, Andrew founded Darkhorse Attorneys as a way of providing business owners with the straightforward legal representation and counsel they need to turn great ideas into thriving enterprises. He previously worked for a business and IP firm in Blacksburg, Virginia and was a judicial law clerk at the Court of Appeals of Virginia. Before attending law school, Andrew was a software developer at Sapient, a large, publicly traded government consulting firm, where he worked on software projects with the Marine Corps and FBI.
Since his licensure in 2010, he has represented clients in a wide variety of matters pertaining to intellectual property, business formation, business disputes, contracts, and related litigation and appeals. He has represented litigants in a variety of intellectual property, business, and contract disputes in both state and federal court. He has been recognized as a Rising Star by Virginia Super Lawyers Magazine every year from 2013-2024 in the areas of intellectual property, business litigation, and civil appeals. Virginia Business Magazine also named him as part of its Legal Elite in 2017 and 2019 for Intellectual Property.
Mr. Connors teaches classes in Intellectual Property, Trademarks, and Federal Mediation at Liberty University School of Law. He is also the Director of the school’s Intellectual Property Clinic. He has also taught classes on legal research and writing. He is a graduate of Liberty University School of Law and the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science. He was a member of the board for the Liberty University Law Review, and he also received numerous awards for written and oral advocacy as part of the moot court team.
Practice Areas: Intellectual Property, Business & Corporate Law, Software & Technology Law, ADA Website Defense
Mr. Connors’ principle specialty is intellectual property law, especially intellectual property litigation including federal copyright infringement, trademark infringement, and trade secret misappropriation lawsuits. He has taught intellectual property law at Liberty University School of Law for several years, along with several other courses that help him hone his skills as a litigator in state and federal court. As an intellectual property litigator, he has represented businesses in intellectual property litigation in federal courts across the country, obtaining favorable court decisions and settlements in the process.
As a litigator, Mr. Connors has represented business clients in a variety of matters, including:
- Trademark, service mark, trade dress, and unfair competition disputes
- Cancellation, opposition, and other proceedings at the United States Patent and Trademark Office
- Copyright infringement, trade secret, and right of publicity (name and likeness) disputes
- Breach of service contracts, breach of fiduciary duties, fraud, and other disputes involving complex business litigation
- Breach of contracts relating to the sales of goods, technology transactions, software development, and intellectual property licensing
- Business partnership disputes, business divorces, and other disputes involving corporate bylaws, shareholders agreements, and operating agreements for corporations, limited liability companies, and other legal entities
He also has significant experience counseling business clients, drafting business documents, and representing business clients in various business transactions. His experience includes:
- Drafting licensing and buy/sell agreements for trademarks, copyright, trade secrets, and patents
- Drafting purchase and sales agreements to buy or sell a business
- Drafting copyright work-for-hire agreements
- Drafting various business contracts
- Drafting employee handbooks, employee contracts, and independent contractor agreements
- Counseling clients on business formation, business organization, and corporate governance
He has helped all kinds of businesses including technology companies, software developers, attorneys, doctors, contractors, restaurants, insurance agents, retail stores, e-commerce websites, and online content creators. He has also helped websites defend against Americans with Disabilities Act troll litigation.
Attorney Awards
- Rising Star, Virginia Super Lawyers Magazine, 2013 – 2024 for Intellectual Property, Civil Appeals, and Business Litigation
- Legal Elite, Virginia Business Magazine, 2017 and 2019 for Intellectual Property
- Perfect 10 rating on AVVO
Leadership Honors & Organizational Affiliations
- Master, Ted Dalton American Inn of Court, 2018 – Present
- Member of the Board of Governors for the Virginia State Bar Litigation Section, 2020-2023
- Vice-President, Montgomery-Radford Bar Association, 2016-2018
Other Honors
- Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law, Liberty University School of Law (Intellectual Property/Trademarks/IP Clinic)
- Law Clerk to the Honorable William G. Petty, Court of Appeals of Virginia, 2010-2012
- Editorial Board, Liberty University Law Review, 2009-2010
- 2L-3L Moot Court Champion and Best Brief, Liberty University School of Law 2009
- Regional Finalist and 4th Best Oralist, ABA Appellate Advocacy Competition 2010
Attorney Admissions
- Commonwealth of Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education
- J.D., Liberty University School of Law, 2010
- B.S., Applied Mathematics, University of Virginia, 2005
Every case is different and depends on the unique circumstances presented. We make no guarantees on the outcome of your case.
- The Silicone Kitchen, LLC v. AMZ Watchdog et al., Case No. 2:240-cv-00239 (D.Wy., open) – represent product manufacturer plaintiff in bad-faith assertion of patent infringement case in federal court in Wyoming, alleging defendants wrongfully sent a patent take down notice to Amazon to remove the product from the Amazon marketplace.
- Gosnell v. Seed Ranch LLC et al., Case No. 8:24-cv-01527 (M.D.Fl., open) – represent photographer in intellectual property litigation alleging copyright infringement in federal court in Tampa, Florida against large distributor of lawn care products for unauthorized use of registered copyright-protected photographs.
- Hormozi v. Neist Media LLC dba Hostage Tape et al., Case No. 0:24-cv-03241 (D.Minn, open) – represent well-known entrepreneur Alex Hormozi against nose strip and mouth tape manufacturer Hostage Tape in intellectual property litigation alleging false endorsement (trademark infringement) under the Lanham Act and misappropriation of the right of publicity under Minnesota common law for alleged unauthorized use of a celebrity’s name and likeness.
- Footlevelers, Inc. v. Maggs, Case No. 7:24-cv-00167 (W.D.Va., open) – represent defendant manufacturer of orthotic inserts for young athletes in actioned removed to federal court in Roanoke, Virginia in case involving allegations of breach of contract and broad federal intellectual property subject matter, with intellectual property litigation focused on trademark law, copyright law, patent law, and trade secret law.
- Polywad, Inc. v. SafeSide Tactical LLC et al., Case No. 5:23-cv-00512 (M.D. Ga., closed 2024) – represented defendant firearms retailer in intellectual property litigation in federal court in Macon, Georgia defending allegation of trademark infringement of a federally registered trademark, and obtained dismissal at 12(b)(6) stage based on lack of personal jurisdiction over the retailer, who had physical locations only in Roanoke and Lynchburg, Virginia.
- Walsh v. Dania, Inc., Civil Case No. 1:23-cv-14380 (N.D. Ill., open) – represent large furniture manufacturer in Chicago federal court defending allegation that website is inaccessible to a blind person under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and related federal class action allegations.
- Hakkasan Ltd. v. Kilo Club LLC, Civil Case No. 2:22-cv-01695 (D.Nev, open) – represent fitness club in Las Vegas federal court defending trademark infringement action by restaurant/nightclub located within MGM Grand casino on the Las Vegas Strip.
- Elder-Taylor Fine Art LLC v. Maharajah Coffee LLC, et al., Civil Case No. 7:23-cv-00168 (W.D.Va., open) – represent plaintiff graphic design firm in federal court in copyright infringement lawsuit alleging unauthorized use of copyright protected artwork printed on defendants’ coffee bags.
- Titanium, LLC dba Dress Up Bolts v. ZSpec Design LLC dba Dress Up Bolts, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Case No. 92079042 (open) – represent petitioner in trademark registration cancellation proceeding at the United States Patent and Trademark Office Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) seeking cancellation of the federally registered trademark “Dress Up Bolts” based on the petitioner’s alleged priority. Prosecuted the matter through trial and awaiting decision from the Board.
- Power-Con LLC v. Integrity Pop Culture Shows LLC, Civil Case No. 4:23-cv-1289 (S.D.Tx, closed 2023) – represented pop culture, toy, and comic convention in trademark infringement action in federal court in Houston, Texas.
- J. Cathell, Inc. v. Wear to Wander Co. LLC et al., Civil Case No. 1:2022-cv-05039 (N.D.Ga, closed 2023) – represented defendant in Atlanta federal court in trade dress infringement and trade secret misappropriation action between competitors in the fashion blogging and social media influencer markets.
- Jacques Singy v. A-Head for Profits LLC et al., Civil Case No. 6:2021-cv-00031 (W.D.Va, closed 2022) – Represented plaintiff in federal court in copyright infringement action alleging defendants had intentionally stolen computer code from plaintiff, an independent contractor, and had also failed to pay significant past due bills for software development.
- Brittney Mejico v. Alba Web Designs, LLC, Civil Case No. 7:20-cv-00039-GEC (W.D.Va, closed 2021) – Represented defendant eCommerce website from an Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility claim in federal court in Roanoke, Virginia.
- Mattress Clearance Center of Morgantown, LLC, et al. v. MCCOA, LLC et al., Civil Case No. 7:2019-cv-00452 (W.D.Va, closed 2020) – Represented several franchisees in federal court in Roanoke, Virginia in contract, fraud, and trade secret dispute against franchisor located in Bedford County, Virginia.
- Gather Workspaces, LLC v. The Gathering Spot, LLC et al., Civil Case No. 1:19-cv-02669 (D.D.C./N.D.Ga., closed 2021) – Represented registered trademark holder in suit against allegedly infringing competitor in federal court in the District of Columbia and Northern District of Georgia (Atlanta).
- Chew v. PopSugar, Inc., Civil Case No. 3:2018-cv-00094 (W.D.Va, closed 2018) – Represented social media influencer in federal court in right of publicity case against well known Silicon Valley based website.
- JTM Consulting, LLC et al. v. Fiba Tech Industries, Inc., Civil Case No. 7:2017-cv-00210 (W.D.Va., closed 2017) – Represented plaintiff in federal declaratory judgment action raising issues of trademark validity, trademark infringement, trademark dilution, and alleged violation of Anti-Cybersquatting Act.
- Unimex Corp. v. Mendelson’s LLC, et al., No. CL00107895-00 (Loudoun Cnty. Cir. Ct., closed 2017) – Represented plaintiff state court in large sale of goods transaction alleging breach of contract and fraud.
- I Run My Body LLC v. Mile Post Endurance, LLC, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Case No. 92065775 (closed 2017) – Defended trademark registrant for wordmark “I Run this Body,” reg. no. 85593808 in cancellation proceeding brought by “I Run My Body” at the United States Patent and Trademark Office Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
- Broadcast Music, Inc., et al. v. TSK Investments, LLC, et al., Civil Case No. 7:16-cv-00529 (W.D.Va., closed 2017) – Defended business establishment in federal court accused of copyright infringement for alleged unauthorized performance of popular music.
- Garner v. Rising Tide Media Group, LLC, No. Civil Case No. 7:16-cv-00583 (W.D.Va., closed 2017)
Represented plaintiff in federal suit alleging copyright infringement of photograph included in mailer allegedly produced by defendant. - Garner v. The Printing Express, Inc., Civil Case No. 7:16-cv-00387 (W.D.Va., closed 2017)
Represented plaintiff in federal suit alleging copyright infringement of photograph included in mass produced mailer. - Garner v. The Republican Party of Virginia, Inc., Civil Case No. 7:15-cv-00410 (W.D.Va., closed 2016) – Represented plaintiff in federal suit alleging copyright infringement of photograph included in mass produced mailer. Included substantial briefing on fair use and publication under United States Copyright Act.
- Garner v. Higgins, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16761, Civil Case No. 7:14-cv-00461 (W.D.Va., closed 2015) – Represented plaintiff in copyright infringement of photograph by blogger in online opinion article. Prevailed in written opinion on Defendant’s motion for summary judgment based on fair use.
- Automation Creations, Inc. v. 8 Rivers Capital, LLC et al., Civil Case No. 7:14-cv-00063 (W.D.Va., closed 2014) – Represented Plaintiff in suit removed to federal court alleging claims for breach of contract of software development contract.
- Kepa., Inc. v. Va. Dept. of Health, 62 Va. App. 614, 751 S.E.2d. 671 (2013) (en banc), rev’d by 289 Va. 131, 766 S.E.2d 884 (2015) – Represented hookah lounge in challenge to Virginia Indoor Clean Air Act as applied to it. Obtained rare en banc review by Court of Appeals of Virginia and won en banc. Subsequently reversed on further appeal by attorney general to Supreme Court of Virginia law
Publications
- “Understanding Intellectual Property: A Guide for Artists,” (2012) Liberty University Law Review, Vol. 7, No. 3
- “Dissecting Electronic Arts’ Spore: An Analysis of the Illicit Transfer of Copyright Ownership of User-Generated Content in Computer Software,” (2010) Liberty University Law Review, Vol. 4, p. 205
- “Intellectual Property and Business Planning in Practice,” presented to Liberty Law Business Planning class (2017)
- “Case Management Software, On the Go: Web-Based Solutions,” a CLE presentation for Virginia Trial Lawyers Association’s Building A Successful Law Firm seminar (2016)
- “Business Contracts A-Z,” a CLE presentation for National Business Institute in Roanoke, Virginia (2016)
- “First Amendment Protections for Sharing and Exercising Your Christian Faith,” presented to Northstar Church: Saturday Seminary class (2016)
- “Public Safety & Government,” presented to the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Leadership New River Valley Class (2016)
- “Intellectual Property and Business Planning in Practice,” presented to Liberty Law Business Planning class (2016)
- “Understanding the Justice System and Due Process,” presented to Dublin Middle School Civics class (2016)
- “Trademark and Copyright Law,” a workshop with the Virginia Tech Entrepreneur Club (2015)
- “Remarks on Starting a Business,” given at Virginia Tech Entrepreneur Club 1000 Pitches Awards Ceremony (2015)
- “Intellectual Property and Business Planning in Practice,” presented to Liberty Law Business Planning class (2015)
- “Real World Law,” presented to Liberty Law Legal Research & Writing class (2014)
- “Intellectual Property and Business Planning in Practice,” presented to Liberty Law Business Planning class (2014)
- “Making Your Case to the Court of Appeals of Virginia,” a CLE presentation given to the Montgomery-Radford Bar Association 20th Annual Family Law Seminar (2013)
- “Real World Law,” presented to Liberty Law Legal Research & Writing class (2013)
- “Copyright and Trademark Issues in Film,” presented to Liberty University Business of Filmmaking class (2013)
- “Making Your Criminal Case to the Court of Appeals of Virginia,” a CLE presentation given at Liberty University School of Law (2012)
- “ACLU of Virginia files brief on Redskins trademark rights case citing First Amendment,” Sinclair Broadcasting Group (includes several local ABC/CBS/Fox affiliates), November 6, 2015
- “Virginia Tech Revamps Policy on Student Inventions,” Roanoke Times, June 10, 2015
- “Virginia Tech Entrepreneurism is Encouraged, but Comes with Some Caveats,” Roanoke Times, May 9, 2015
- “Va. Supreme Court: Blacksburg’s She-Sha hookah lounge not exempt from smoking ban,” Roanoke Times, January 8, 2015
- “Hookah bars allowed to keep on smoking, court rules,” Roanoke Times, December 18, 2013
- “Blacksburg hookah bar granted another hearing,” Roanoke Times, May 7, 2013
- “Hookah lounge gets second chance to dodge smoking ban,” Virginia Lawyers Weekly, May 7, 2013
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