John Wilson is a partner recognized for his work at the intersection of the technology and sports industries, advising clients on the transactional matters that are reshaping both spaces. He has been recognized by Chambers USA for sports law. His practice brings together deep technology transactions experience with a national sports law practice, giving clients a rare, integrated perspective on the sports and entertainment business.
On the technology side, John has extensive experience drafting and negotiating commercial agreements for clients ranging from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 corporations. These agreements include cloud computing services arrangements (including IaaS and SaaS), technology development agreements, licensing arrangements, worldwide distribution agreements, cooperative marketing agreements, and endorsement deals. He regularly counsels clients on the intellectual property, social media, and privacy issues that arise alongside these commercial relationships.
On the sports side, John represents clients throughout Major League Soccer (MLS), the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the United Soccer League (USL), and various professional football teams such as the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, as well as leading sports apparel and equipment companies, in structuring, drafting, and negotiating sports and entertainment transactions. His work spans naming rights deals, sponsorship agreements, celebrity and athlete endorsements, media rights agreements, and stadium construction contracts. John has experience advising both sides of these transactions—teams and leagues, as well as sponsors and brands—giving him a comprehensive, dealmaker's understanding of how sports and entertainment agreements come together from every vantage point.
John also served as outside counsel to the organization that organized and hosted the World Cup 2026 matches in Seattle, advising on the legal and operational matters involved in bringing the tournament to the region.
Prior to joining the firm's Technology Transactions practice group, John was a member of the Intellectual Property Litigation practice group, where he represented clients in numerous court appearances, negotiated favorable settlements, and assisted with Section 337 investigations before the International Trade Commission in Washington, DC. That litigation background continues to inform how he counsels clients on protecting and monetizing their intellectual property today.
John is also deeply committed to pro bono service. He argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of a Mexican national seeking asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture based on his client's past military service and his involvement in the arrest of several members of the Los Zetas drug cartel. He also provides counsel to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Alaska and Washington, where he is a former board trustee, and he serves on the board of directors for several other non-profit organizations.
Prior to joining the firm, John was the lead law clerk for the United States Attorney’s Office in Eugene, Oregon. He was closely involved with the prosecution of white collar, terrorism, and fraud cases. Prior to attending law school, John worked for several years as a quality assurance consultant and engineer for a variety of large manufacturing companies in the high tech and defense industries.
- Recognized by Chambers USA for Sports Law, USA - Nationwide, 2024-2026
- Selected to Washington Rising Stars list, 2013-2018
- Member, Sports Lawyers Association
- Board of Directors, Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington
- General Counsel, Sounders Community Trust
- Member, University of Oregon Dean’s Advisory Counsel
- Board of Directors, Pacific Northwest Soccer Club
- “MySpace, Your Space, or Our Space? New Frontiers in Electronic Evidence,” 86 Or. L. Rev. 1201, 2008.
- “Rapanos v. United States: Muddying Enforcement of the Clean Water Act,” Western Environmental Law Update, 2007.
