230 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10169
Phone: (212) 850-6220
Email:
whansen@lathropgage.com
Admitted to Bar in
New York 1978
U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Eastern and Northern Districts of New York
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
EDUCATION
Washington & Lee University, J.D., 1977
Dartmouth College, A.B., magna cum laude, 1974
EXPERIENCE
Mr. Hansen regularly serves as lead trial counsel in intellectual property matters for Fortune 500 U.S. companies and
international companies in cases filed under the U.S. Lanham Act and copyright law. In addition to litigation, Hansen has
significant experience in all aspects of trademark practice, including United States Patent and Trademark office practice,
trademark clearance and counseling.
Hansen's career in the field of intellectual property law spans more than 25 years. He was a partner in Nims Howes, a law
firm responsible for much of the framework of today's intellectual property law, especially cases involving trademark
infringement, trade dress and unfair competition.
Representative matters:
• American Italian Pasta Company v. New World Pasta: Hansen was Lead Counsel and argued successfully before the
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals that "America's Favorite Pasta," was mere puffery.
• Purebred Corporation v. H.J. Heinz et al: Hansen was Lead IP counsel in a three-week jury trial representing the
defendants in trademark infringement, unfair competition and false advertising claims.
• Ermenegildo Zegna Corporation v. Lanificio Mario Zegna: This international dispute over the name and mark ZEGNA
started in 1984 and settled favorably in 2004.
• Sears PLC v. Sears Roebuck and Co.: In the 1990s, Hansen represented Sears Roebuck and Co. in an international
dispute over the name and mark SEARS against Sears PLC, the parent company of a U.K. department store and specialty store
retailer.
• Merck & Co., Inc. v. Vioxx Corporation: Hansen was lead counsel for Merck in this settled case involving the
important pharmaceutical trademark VIOXX.
• Weight Watchers, Inc. v. Stouffers Lean Cuisine: In 1990, Hansen was lead counsel for Weight Watchers in a two-week
bench trial involving trademark infringement and false advertising issues known as the "Diet Food War."
HONORS
• Named as one of the World's Leading Trademark Law Practitioners by Managing Intellectual Property magazine.
• Phi Beta Kappa
PRESENTATIONS
• Mr. Hansen has lectured internationally to the Pharmaceutical Trademarks Group and to the British Institute of
Trademark Attorneys.
ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS
• Pharmaceutical Trade Mark Group (U.K. based)
• New York Intellectual Property Law Association
• International Trademark Association
