Michelle Ray-Jones

Michelle Ray-Jones is a partner in Tilleke & Gibbins’ intellectual property group in Bangkok. She is an experienced practitioner in matters involving complex intellectual property litigation and prosecution.

Representing companies on a wide range of matters related to intellectual property, Michelle handles the global and regional IP portfolios of clients in numerous industries, including hospitality, fashion, and consumer products. Michelle serves as a strategic advisor to international clients with IP portfolios in Southeast Asia, as well as to ASEAN clients expanding outward toward other parts of the world.

As an expert in international IP protection and enforcement, Michelle advises brands on IP searches, applications, registrations, maintenance, and legal actions. Her experience before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, as well as her many years guiding clients in Southeast Asia—particularly Thailand and Cambodia—informs her strategic advice on global and regional branding and protection strategies. Michelle, who is also a leading practitioner in domain name disputes, regularly represents clients in arbitral tribunals and helps them secure satisfactory outcomes. She is also regularly engaged in the preparation of contracts and licenses involving trademarks, patents, copyrights, and trade secrets.

Michelle has served as president of the Licensing Executives Society of Thailand since September 2021 and is an active member of the International Trademark Association, having sat on multiple subcommittees. Michelle is a frequent speaker and author on topics such as intellectual property rights, fashion law, licensing, and franchising law.

Michelle is licensed to practice in the State of New York and is admitted in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. Michelle has successfully represented clients in the U.S. federal court system and before the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.