Kelly M. Young
Partner
Overview
Kelly Young helps companies build and protect their intellectual property assets worldwide. Her experience in both the trademark and copyright fields allows her to take a holistic approach to clients’ intellectual property matters.
“Kelly is a very impressive attorney. She is very easy to understand, persuasive in her work product and has a sharp legal mind.”CHAMBERS USA (CLIENT QUOTE)
Trademarks
Kelly counsels clients on all aspects of domestic and international brand management, navigating the entire life cycle of trademarks from clearance and registration through maintenance and enforcement. She manages trademark portfolios in a variety of industries and advises companies from startups to large multinational corporations on their branding strategy.
Kelly frequently handles trademark matters arising from business transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions. In particular, Kelly helps companies integrate their global portfolios after transactions, and has strategized with trademark counsel in more than 150 countries to develop efficient ways of unifying the ownership of intellectual property assets.
Copyrights
In addition, Kelly assists clients with a variety of copyright matters. She advises on the use of third-party materials, including the licensing of music and photos, and develops copyright application filing strategies for protecting clients’ own creative works. As part of her practice, Kelly also drafts and reviews copyright licenses, releases, and other intellectual property agreements.
“Kelly is really top-notch. She is calm, cool and collected and she takes the work to the next level.”CHAMBERS USA (CLIENT QUOTE)
Personal Interests
In her free time, Kelly enjoys playing the cello and performs with the DC Concert Orchestra.
“Kelly Young's technical knowledge, attention to detail and focus on client outcomes is excellent.”CHAMBERS USA (CLIENT QUOTE)
Credentials
Bar Admissions
District of Columbia
Pennsylvania
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Education
Boston University School of Law
J.D. cum laude (2012)
Duquesne University
B.A. summa cum laude (2009)
Insights & Events
Latest
Insights
News
Other Perspectives
Firm Blog Contributions
- TCAM Today – uncomplicated, practical, day-to-day advice about how to build, protect or monetize a brand
Leadership & Community
Professional Associations
- International Trademark Association — Indigenous Rights Committee, Vice Chair, 2026-present; Subcommittee Chair, 2024-26
- American Bar Association, Section of Intellectual Property Law — International Copyright Laws Committee, Chair, 2024-26
- District of Columbia Bar — Trademark and Copyright Committee, Co-chair, 2020-25; International IP Committee, Co-chair, 2019-20
Civic Activities
- Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts — Board of Directors, 2025-present
- DC Concert Orchestra Society — Board of Directors, 2025-present
Firm Leadership
- Pro Bono Committee, 2026-present
- Associates Committee, 2022-23
Honors
- Chambers USA — District of Columbia, Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets, 2026
- World Trademark Review 1000 — World’s Leading Trademark Professionals (District of Columbia), 2024-26
- IAM/WTR Copyright 1000 — The World’s Leading Copyright Professionals (DC Metro Area), 2026
- Best Lawyers® — "Ones to Watch," Intellectual Property Law, 2024-25
- Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020-25
- District of Columbia Courts — Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2015-17, 2020-24
- Drinker Biddle & Reath — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2015-18
- Boston University School of Law — Edward F. Hennessey Distinguished Scholar
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.