Alston & Bird has added three new partners to its IP Litigation Group, expanding the firm’s position in advising on disputes involving digital media, AI, and emerging technologies. Michael Elkin and Sean Anderson join the firm’s New York office, and Jennifer Golinveaux joins in San Francisco.
The additions continue the firm’s expansion of its IP litigation practice, with a focus on copyright and trademark matters at the heart of the digital content economy—where entertainment, technology, and platform-driven business converge. The new partners are widely recognized for handling market-shaping digital media, copyright, trademark, and technology matters across industries.
“Michael, Jennifer, and Sean have established marquee practices that deliver the trusted advice clients need when facing complex copyright and technology disputes, which have grown ever more important to clients with the advent of AI,” said Natalie Clayton, co-chair of Alston & Bird’s intellectual property practices. “Adding this team executes on the firm’s core strategy of continuing to build on areas of existing strength, including IP litigation, and in key markets such as Northern California and New York.”
Michael is a sought-after trial lawyer who represents technology, media, and entertainment companies in IP litigation involving digital content distribution and novel technology-related claims. His practice spans trial and appellate work, with an emphasis on matters whose outcomes carry significant business risk.
Jennifer is a highly regarded litigator focusing on digital media, copyright and trademark counseling, and litigation, with a recent emphasis on high-stakes AI disputes. She advises companies across the technology, media, consumer goods, and financial services sectors and also has a significant brand-enforcement practice.
Sean handles sophisticated intellectual property and commercial matters, including high-stakes disputes on behalf of technology and media companies involving platform liability, trade secrets, and, increasingly, artificial intelligence. He also maintains a robust counseling practice, advising both emerging and established companies on regulatory developments and cross-border issues.
Together, the group has represented major media companies, internet service providers, and technology platforms in numerous precedent-setting cases involving secondary copyright liability, content distribution, and platform-based claims across the technology and entertainment industries.
“We were drawn to Alston & Bird by the firm’s collaborative culture and strong IP litigation practice,” said Michael. “Clients are facing challenges that carry real business risk, which have only stepped up in the new world of AI, and we wanted a broad platform with the trial capacity to support them from start to finish.”
“Alston & Bird provides a perfect platform for our digital media, copyright, and trademark practice,” said Jennifer. “Generative AI is pushing courts and companies into uncharted territory. Clients need lawyers who understand both the technology and the law and can move quickly as those issues continue to evolve.”
“Our work increasingly combines intellectual property, commercial risk, and regulatory scrutiny,” added Sean. “Alston & Bird’s practice offerings and inclusive, team-driven environment allow us to draw on the right resources to support clients when the stakes are high.”
About Alston & Bird IP Litigation
Alston & Bird represents clients in complex intellectual property disputes where technology and business risk intersect. The group litigates matters nationwide and before the Federal Circuit and the International Trade Commission (ITC) and coordinates closely with patent counsel on Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) proceedings. With a focus on trial readiness and efficient execution, the group is built to handle disputes that matter most to clients’ businesses.