Brittany P. Colton

How Brittany Helps Clients

Brittany’s practice focuses on trademark clearance, prosecution, and enforcement. As a former trademark examining attorney at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Brittany has vast experience with trademark examination across a wide array of industries. She draws on that experience to provide clients with practical advice throughout the brand creation and protection process. Brittany has represented companies in various fields, including jewelry, pet care, software and technology, consumer products, as well as food and beverage. 

Brittany brings a robust background in trademark management and enforcement. She earned her JD from Wake Forest University School of Law, where she served as the Articles Editor for the Wake Forest Journal of Business and Intellectual Property Law and participated in various extracurricular activities, including the Jury Sunshine Project as a Research Fellow. Brittany also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Johns Hopkins University.

Before joining Buchanan, Brittany was a trademark associate at another national law firm and also served as a law clerk at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. In her most recent role as an Associate, Brittany managed client trademark portfolios through all stages of clearance, prosecution, and maintenance. Her responsibilities included conducting comprehensive U.S. and international clearance searches, drafting detailed clearance opinions, and writing office action responses to address specific legal issues. She also prepared appellate briefs for proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) and handled maintenance filings to ensure ongoing compliance for her clients. Brittany actively monitored client trademark portfolios for potential infringement, advised clients on enforcement strategies, and coordinated with foreign counsel to develop effective enforcement plans. Her work also encompassed drafting letters of protest, cease and desist communications, notices of opposition, petitions for cancellation, initial disclosures, written discovery requests, UDRP complaints, and settlement agreements. Additionally, she provided guidance on issues related to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and drafted DMCA takedown notices.

Prior to this, Brittany served as a Trademark Examining Attorney at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. In this role, she conducted the complete ex parte examination of applications to ensure compliance with the Trademark Act of 1946. This included applications filed under Section 44 and Section 66(a). She drafted and issued office actions addressing relevant legal requirements and refusals, such as likelihood of confusion, descriptive or generic use, and ornamentation. Brittany prepared arguments and drafted briefs on behalf of the Agency during ex parte appeal proceedings before the TTAB, consistently receiving high-quality ratings while exceeding production requirements.

What Clients Can Expect

Brittany provides strategic advice that is tailored to each client’s objectives and long-term goals. She understands the importance of responsiveness and clear communication. 

Outside the Office

Outside of work, Brittany enjoys taking pilates classes and volunteering at a local dog shelter.