Josh Waterston is a senior attorney with Wilftek. He practices intellectual property and technology law, focusing on the intersection of technology, privacy, and security. He enables clients to leverage cloud computing opportunities while mitigating their legal and financial exposure. In short, he helps clients take advantage of opportunities created by new technology without falling into hidden traps. Wilftek works with clients of all sizes (one-person startups to Fortune 500 to Global 10,000).
Prior to joining Wilftek, Josh was associated with two other firms, practicing intellectual property and technology law. He has represented clients in Federal copyright, trademark, and patent infringement litigation.
Mr. Waterston has spent much of his career as a litigator. He has handled civil and criminal litigation from trial through appellate stages, having litigated well over 30,000 cases in two decades. He served for over seven years as Chief Counsel of the Delaware County Office of Support Enforcement, managing the law office of Pennsylvania’s third-largest child support agency and leading a program which collected over $3 Million in overdue child support. Josh is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania state courts, as well as the United States District Courts in the Eastern, Middle, and Western districts of Pennsylvania. He is certified by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) as a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) and an Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional (AIGP).
Josh has been voted one of the top attorneys in Delaware County and the Main Line over the last several years. He chairs the Pennsylvania Bar Association Intellectual Property section's Trademark committee, is an appointed member of the PBA's Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility committee, and is a member of the American Bar Association and PBA committees on intellectual property and privacy. He is also a member of the Delaware County Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Intellectual Property Forum, InfraGard (an FBI/private sector alliance), and is a current member and former board member of the Cloud Security Alliance – Delaware Valley Chapter.
He has taught continuing legal education seminars on intellectual property law, privacy and cybersecurity, technology and ethics, and family law. Recently, Josh has spoken on issues of generative artificial intelligence and intellectual property rights. He has followed the waves of technology for decades, building and repairing computers, designing and coding websites, and dabbling in programming.
Joshua D. Waterston
Senior Attorney and Director of Fractional Counsel Services
2026 DCBA presentation: "How to Leverage AI in Litigation"
Josh Waterston presented "How to Leverage AI in Litigation" on April 28, 2026 with CNECT Legal, co-hosted by the Delaware County Paralegal Association and the Delaware County Bar Association. We discussed practical ways to use AI for case preparation and organization, new AI tools to streamline depositions and trial practice, and how to comply with legal and ethical requirements. CNECT Legal slides shared with permission.
Josh Waterston
April 28, 2026
Video: trademark webinar "Before You Brand" with Tom Kelly and Josh Waterston
Wilftek's Tom Kelly joined Josh Waterston to discuss the importance of trademarks in the branding process, and explained how trademark searches work, the application process, and why AI, third-party tools, and do-it-yourself approaches can be dangerous for your branding goals.
Tom Kelly, Josh Waterston
December 11, 2025
Video: Josh Waterston's interview on Money Matters TV: “Legal Risks Behind the AI Boom”
Josh Waterston joined host Robin Bond, Esq. to explain the real legal risks businesses face as AI adoption accelerates. The segment covers privacy obligations, contract pitfalls, and the growing problem of AI hallucinations. A practical overview for individuals and companies looking to use AI safely and responsibly.
Josh Waterston
December 3, 2025
Video: AI in Your Legal Toolbox: Smarter Strategies for Safeguarding Clients’ IP
In this presentation for Justia, Josh Waterston examined how artificial intelligence is reshaping the creation, protection, and valuation of intellectual property. He explained the mechanics of generative AI, why they matter to IP practitioners, and highlighted key ethical considerations, cautionary examples, and emerging court responses. The program also covered AI’s impact on copyrights, patents, and trade secrets, with a focus on ownership, authorship, and asset value. Mr. Waterston provided practical guidance for drafting and negotiating agreements that address AI inputs, outputs, confidentiality, and ownership so attorneys can anticipate and manage AI-driven issues for their clients.
Josh Waterston
October 22, 2025
2025 PBA IP Section presentation: "The State of AI as of This Hour"
At the PA Bar Association Intellectual Property Section's July 15, 2025 meeting, Josh and Lewis shared a brief update on how AI is impacting intellectual property law. Topics included contract best practices, AI-generated deepfakes and music, and recent fair use and trademark cases.
Josh Waterston, Lewis Sorokin
July 15, 2025
Bench Bar 2025 AI presentation: "AI and the Law - From Progress to Problems: What Lawyers and Judges are Learning About AI"
At the 2025 Delaware County Bench Bar Conference, Josh Waterston led a panel discussion on how AI is impacting legal practice and the courts. He was joined by the Hon. William C. Mackrides, the Hon. Margaret J. Amoroso, and DCBA President Michael Davey, Esq. for a lively discussion of the rapidly changing capabilities of generative AI, ethics, cautionary examples, and the difficult decisions that result.
Josh Waterston
June 5, 2025
Video: Wilftek webinar with guest Richard Connor: "Cybersecurity Compliance in the Age of AI"
For Wilftek's webinar on May 29, 2025, Josh Waterston was joined by guest Richard Connor, founder of Lockstock Analytics, for a rapid-fire and engaging discussion on ways to protect your business in the fast-moving world of AI, law, and cybersecurity.
Josh Waterston
May 29, 2025
2025 PBI Technology Institute presentation: "Help! My AI Ate My IP! - Creating and Protecting Intellectual Property When Using AI Tools"
In this presentation, Fred Wilf and Josh Waterston reviewed the impact of advances in AI and recent guidance from the Copyright Office and USPTO, and discussed practical approaches to creating and protecting intellectual property when using artificial intelligence tools.
Fred Wilf, Josh Waterston
March 7, 2025
2024 PBI Data Privacy Update presentation on Artificial Intelligence and Privacy
Josh Waterston and Dr. Jennifer Wagner discussed the impact of AI on privacy, how governments and businesses are balancing these benefits and risks, and shared pro tips on how to comply with laws and stay ahead of the curve
Josh Waterston
November 15, 2024
Presentations
Josh Waterston has given many presentations to lawyers, judges, and the community. You can see recent examples below.
Articles
See Wilftek's Blog page
Certified Information Privacy Professional / United States
Josh Waterston holds a CIPP/US certification from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), a leading privacy organization.
Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional
Mr. Waterston also holds an AIGP certification from IAPP. AIGP is a newer certification, covering the fast-changing area of AI, ensuring that AI development and use follows the law and best practices.
Main Line Today image credit: Tessa Marie Images
Main Line Today Top Lawyers edition (August 2025)
Mr. Waterston was featured in the August 2025 article, "What Does the Growth of AI Mean for Original Content?"
Main Line Today image credit: Tessa Marie Images
Main Line Today Top Lawyers edition (August 2023)
Mr. Waterston was featured in the August 2023 article, "How Social Media Impacts Legal Disputes, According to Main Line Area Experts"
PDF version here, reprinted with permissionMain Line Today Top Lawyers, Delaware County Daily Times Best Lawyers
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Main Line Today Top Lawyers (2018, 2020 - 2025)
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Delaware County Daily Times Best Lawyers (2016 - 2021)
Money Matters TV interview
Josh Waterston joined host Robin Bond, Esq. in this Dec. 3, 2025 segment to explain the real legal risks businesses face as AI adoption accelerates. The segment covers privacy obligations, contract pitfalls, and the growing problem of AI hallucinations. A practical overview for individuals and companies looking to use AI safely and responsibly.
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Presentations
2026 DCBA presentation: "How to Leverage AI in Litigation"
Josh Waterston presented "How to Leverage AI in Litigation" on April 28, 2026 with CNECT Legal, co-hosted by the Delaware County Paralegal Association and the Delaware County Bar Association. We discussed practical ways to use AI for case preparation and organization, new AI tools to streamline depositions and trial practice, and how to comply with legal and ethical requirements. CNECT Legal slides shared with permission.
April 28, 2026
Video: trademark webinar "Before You Brand" with Tom Kelly and Josh Waterston
Wilftek's Tom Kelly joined Josh Waterston to discuss the importance of trademarks in the branding process, and explained how trademark searches work, the application process, and why AI, third-party tools, and do-it-yourself approaches can be dangerous for your branding goals.
December 11, 2025
Video: Josh Waterston's interview on Money Matters TV: “Legal Risks Behind the AI Boom”
Josh Waterston joined host Robin Bond, Esq. to explain the real legal risks businesses face as AI adoption accelerates. The segment covers privacy obligations, contract pitfalls, and the growing problem of AI hallucinations. A practical overview for individuals and companies looking to use AI safely and responsibly.
December 3, 2025
Video: AI in Your Legal Toolbox: Smarter Strategies for Safeguarding Clients’ IP
In this presentation for Justia, Josh Waterston examined how artificial intelligence is reshaping the creation, protection, and valuation of intellectual property. He explained the mechanics of generative AI, why they matter to IP practitioners, and highlighted key ethical considerations, cautionary examples, and emerging court responses. The program also covered AI’s impact on copyrights, patents, and trade secrets, with a focus on ownership, authorship, and asset value. Mr. Waterston provided practical guidance for drafting and negotiating agreements that address AI inputs, outputs, confidentiality, and ownership so attorneys can anticipate and manage AI-driven issues for their clients.
October 22, 2025
2025 PBA IP Section presentation: "The State of AI as of This Hour"
At the PA Bar Association Intellectual Property Section's July 15, 2025 meeting, Josh and Lewis shared a brief update on how AI is impacting intellectual property law. Topics included contract best practices, AI-generated deepfakes and music, and recent fair use and trademark cases.
July 15, 2025
Bench Bar 2025 AI presentation: "AI and the Law - From Progress to Problems: What Lawyers and Judges are Learning About AI"
At the 2025 Delaware County Bench Bar Conference, Josh Waterston led a panel discussion on how AI is impacting legal practice and the courts. He was joined by the Hon. William C. Mackrides, the Hon. Margaret J. Amoroso, and DCBA President Michael Davey, Esq. for a lively discussion of the rapidly changing capabilities of generative AI, ethics, cautionary examples, and the difficult decisions that result.
June 5, 2025