Attorneys
Chris Ridder
Partner
Chris has practiced intellectual property and technology law for over 20 years: at big law firms, as a fellow at Stanford Law School, and at RCJ. He represents clients on a broad range of copyright, trademark, and cyberlaw matters. Read more.
Ben Costa
Partner
Ben helps creators and businesses build, protect, and defend their most vital intellectual property. Drawing on deep experience across trademarks, copyrights, and IP disputes, he counsels clients globally on brand strategy and content protection in an evolving digital landscape. Read more.
Erica Johnstone
Partner
Erica specializes in defending people who have been harmed online, and helping victims take down or block the publication of unlawful content. Read more.
Kurt Opsahl
Of Counsel
Kurt advises technology innovators and organizations navigating the frontier of privacy, free expression, and cybersecurity. A former General Counsel at both EFF and the Filecoin Foundation, he blends high-stakes policy expertise with practical counseling for decentralized and emerging technologies. Read more.
About Us
Welcome! Ridder, Costa & Johnstone LLP is a California law firm specializing in intellectual property, internet law, and the rules of both old and new media. Our attorneys are uniquely positioned to advocate at the convergence of creative expression, law, and technology. We represent large and small businesses, non-profits, and individuals in litigation, counseling, and transactional matters.
Founded by Chris Ridder, Ben Costa, and Erica Johnstone, RCJ is dedicated to providing risk-management advice tailored to the needs of each client, and to focused and efficient representation.
Software & Internet Law, New Media Law, Data Privacy
- Software development; open source
- Technology transactions
- Platform regulation; intermediary liability; online speech
- Computer security; hacking/circumvention
- Online contracts; terms of use
- Data privacy (including GDPR and CCPA compliance)
- Online service provider demands, subpoenas, and court orders
Trademark & Copyright
- Intellectual property litigation and dispute resolution, including copyright, trademark, trade secret, and cyberlaw matters
- Trademark registration, prosecution, oppositions; domain name disputes
- Brand selection, clearance, and due diligence
- Intellectual property licensing, including brands, content, and software
- Domain expertise in areas including literary works, music, film and video, software, AI/ML, and fair use analysis
Online Harassment, Defamation, Invasion of Privacy
- Tech-savvy representation in family and intimate partner abuse matters
- Electronic evidence collection and preservation
- Domestic violence and civil harassment restraining orders
- Litigation and subpoena practice
- Stalking, revenge porn, and threats to harm
- Identity theft and impersonation