The Legal 500

Debevoise & Plimpton

PRACTICE: With a litigation team of about 30 associates and six partners, Debevoise & Plimpton has an undisputedly strong practice in the field of trademarks. Headquartered in New York and with offices in Washington DC, London, Paris, Frankfurt and Moscow, the firm is ‘second to none’ in terms of reputation and service.

Clients agree that Debevoise & Plimpton may well be ‘the premier trademark firm in the country’, handling matters ranging from false advertising to domain names and right of publicity.

The firm is known for dealing with complex cases and succeeding in obtaining or in defending motions for temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions. In addition to having a consolidated presence in the fashion industry, Debevoise & Plimpton attracts clients from the food and beverage industries, cosmetics, technology, entertainment and media.

Clients praise the firm for being ‘very thoughtful and through’ and for being ‘extremely sensitive to the requirements of their industry’. According to clients, the trademark litigation department is known for being available to ‘talk through an issue and will tap into the firm’s deep bench of talent and expertise.’

Debevoise & Plimpton successfully represented New York beverage-company Glaceau in a TRO hearing against PepsiCo for infringement of the trade dress of Glaceau’s VitaminWater products. The litigation action resulted in PepsiCo’s agreement to change the trade dress in its SoBe LifeWater products.

A further recent highlight relates to the litigation and government investigation of music giant, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, in connection with the content protection software of music CDs.

CLIENTS: The firm appeals to a diversified clientele and its top-quality work is reflected in its high-profile clients such as Amazon, American Express, Bayer, CBS, Kraft Food, McKinsey, Moschino, National Football League, Reuters, Revlon, Shell Oil, Sony and Yahoo!

INDIVIDUALS: With extensive experience in high-stake trademark litigation, David Bernstein is an ‘outstanding litigator with an encyclopaedic knowledge’, say clients. He is also involved in cases dealing with false advertising, trademark infringement and internet and domain names. Bruce Keller, who supervises the IP litigation practice, ‘offers thoughtful and well-reasoned advice’, say clients. Based in New York, Keller has litigated a vast number of widely publicised trademark cases, related to false advertising, cyber-squatting and internet piracy.

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P.

PRACTICE: Thanks to a very-well established reputation for IP practice, Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P. is a ‘winning firm’ in this practice area. With a group of more than 375 lawyers focussing on IP, 25 of whom dedicate their entire time to trademark issues, the firm continues to be a market leader in trademark litigation. The practice includes an excellent core of experienced trademark legal assistants and professionals, including portfolio managers, in-house investigators and a domain name expert.

Headquartered in Washington DC and with offices in Brussels, Taipei and Tokyo, Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P. enlarged its international presence with the opening of a fourth international office in Shanghai, China. Clients are effusive in agreeing that the firm is capable of handling trademark needs globally, freeing them from the task of dealing with multiple different counsels around the world.

The firm advises some of the world’s leading corporations and innovators in a wide range of industries such as manufacturing, financial services, publishing, computing and telecommunication. Clients rely on Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P.’s legal and technical experience and are praise the firm in all matters relating to trademarks.

A recent highlight for the firm involved the representation of GAP, the global clothing retailer. Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P. prevailed in an opposition against the GAP ONE mark for general business merchandising services, namely marketing, on the ground of likelihood of confusion with the GAP trademarks for retail store services and clothing.

The firm was successful in obtaining a favourable decision, which was significant because this is one of only a few reported decisions involving the GAP mark. Moreover, this should greatly assist GAP in several pending enforcement matters involving the GAP mark.

CLIENTS: Appealing to clients ranging from the entertainment to the technology sections, Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P. advises companies such as Fox Interactive Media, Yahoo! and Games Workshop. Included in the list of the high profile list of clients are also well know pharmaceutical companies such as Genzyme Corporation and automobile companies such Bridgestone, Caterpillar, Subaru, Harley Davidson and Mitsubishi.

INDIVIDUALS: Chair of the trademarks and copyright group, David Kelly is known for ‘his wise advice’ and has been described by clients as ‘an exceptionally bright and thoughtful advocate’. Also, worth mentioning are Doug Rettew in Washington DC and Virginia Carron, based in Atlanta, whom clients see as ‘an extremely skilled and responsive, always meeting clients’ expectations’.

Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu, P.C.

PRACTICE: Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu, P.C. is a leading firm in the world of trademark litigation. Headquartered in New York, the firm has wide experience in foreign and multi-country trademark litigation and a long history of success in dealing with pirated famous marks.

Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu, P.C. specialized knowledge in this practice area is synonymous with success and in ‘getting the work done efficiently’. Boasting a sophisticated practice and representing a wide spectrum of clients, from multinational corporations in all sorts of industries and arts, on domestic and international trademark, counterfeit and in recapturing pirated well-known marks, the firm’s reputation is difficult to match.

Consistently appearing among the top filers for of US trademark applications, clients recognize the unique expertise in dealing with international trademark offices and are also attracted by Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu, P.C.’s successful litigation often leading to settling disputes without court proceedings.

Among recent highlights, the firm has been instrumental in establishing famous marks’ status for luxury jeweller Tiffany in several major jurisdictions. With a relationship going back to more than 25 years, the firm has guided Tiffany through the internet revolution and led several major fights to keep registers clean of conflicting registrations.

CLIENTS: Clients are attracted by the ‘personal service’ provided by the firm and by the ‘collegial ethos’, making sure that clients ‘get the resources of a firm, not just a single partner’. The firm represents clients such as Honeywell, Norvartis, Richemont, Movado, Starwood Hotels, Tiffany & Co, Chanel, Lacoste and Lego.

INDIVIDUALS: With experience in litigating for both plaintiff and defendant, Roger Zissu is praised by clients for being ‘extraordinarily responsive and proactive’. His extensive knowledge and expertise covers most IP areas and he has played a leading role in several landmark trademark cases, such as the protection of some of the world’s most iconic characters, including Tarzan, Superman and Winnie the Pooh.

Representing a diverse international clientele, Mark Engelmann in New York is admired by clients because ‘he consistently thinks beyond the matter at hand’.

Peter Silvermann is also a ‘top-class partner’ for his depth of expertise and high standard of work in creative strategies for international disputes. His clients are impressed by his knowledge of both the subject matter, the in-house expertise and for his ‘willingness to tailor his work to the client’s specific likes and dislikes’.

Kenyon & Kenyon

PRACTICE: Being the oldest IP firm in the US and with offices in New York, Washington DC and Silicon Valley, Kenyon & Kenyon has a well renowned litigation practice, managing all types of trademark disputes and domain names for large international clients.

The firm has unmatched first-chair-trial experience, combined with a reputation for giving clients advice ‘exactly what they need, when they need it’. It goes without saying that trademark litigators at Kenyon & Kenyon have a deep understanding of their clients’ technologies and are ‘scrupulously responsive’ to their business needs.

The contentious department advises both large international and small companies and is seen by clients as being ‘top-notch’ and in ‘giving practical advice on potential litigation scenarios’.

One of the firm’s most highly advertised cases concerns Punchgini, the owner of New York’s Bukhala Grill restaurant chain against Indian conglomerate ITC Limited. Following a legal battle, the litigation team prevailed at all levels on all state and federal claims of trademark, trade dress infringement and unfair competition.

CLIENTS: With such an established reputation in the field of trademark litigation, it is no surprise that the firm advises famous clients such as Mattel and its subsidiary Fisher-Price, Wal-Mart, Future Media Architects, CooperNeff Advisors and AT&T.

INDIVIDUALS: Clients defined James Rosini as ‘one of the best lawyers I have ever worked with’. As head of the firm’s trademark, copyright and design practice group, Rosini has wide experience in trademarks and internet and domain names.

New York-based Michelle Marsh is seen as a ‘rising star’ in the trademark litigation world. Thanks to her ‘sharp mind’, she successfully practices in the area of trademark and internet law representing clients in state and federal court in the US Trademark Office.

Kilpatrick Stockton Llp

PRACTICE: Kilpatrick Stockton LLP has a very large IP practice, made of ‘very knowledgeable’ and ‘responsive lawyers’. Headquartered in Atlanta and with nine strategically located offices on the East Coast, Europe and Asia, the firm is highly regarded by clients.

The firm delivers innovative business solutions and works well with multiple client-groups in a very cost-efficient manner. With over 45 attorneys dedicated entirely to the litigation trademark practice, Kilpatrick Stockton LLP has consistently build up its reputation in the trademark field. One of the firm’s biggest successes involves the first federal registration of the Coca-Cola mark and the distinctive Coca-Cola bottle.

Among last year’ highlights, the litigation group won a jury on behalf for Adidas, obtaining the largest amount ever awarded in a trademark infringement action. The verdict in the case Adidas v Payless followed a resounding victory in the summary judgement stage.

Another recent matter involves Hulu - a joint venture of GE’s Universal and News Corporation: the firm defeated a preliminary injunction motion by the self-publishing website Lulu against the launch of Hulu.com, which has gone on to be a model for television on the internet.

CLIENTS: As well as those mentioned above, the firm represents Google, FOX, Zino Davidoff, Damien Chrysler, Pepsi, Harley Davidson and the Walt Disney Company.

INDIVIDUALS: Atlanta-based- William Brewster is praised by clients for being an ‘extremely accessible, personable attorney, who is able to get to the heart of a complicated matter quickly and intelligently.’ With over 20 years’ experience in the trademark field, he litigates in courtrooms across the US including jury and bench trials and handles numerous preliminary injunction and summary judgement motions.

Another key-player is Judith Powell, who chairs the copyright and trademark team. With vast experience in trademark infringement litigation, she is praised by clients for being ‘very proactive in her approach to IP protection and a great issue spotter’.

Arnold & Porter Llp

PRACTICE: Arnold & Porter LLP boasts a sophisticated trademark practice, supporting clients in the registration process of names and trademarks, prosecution and licensing.

With six US offices plus one in London and Brussels, the firm has deep trial experience in passing off actions, cybersquatting actions and oppositions to trademark applications combined with ‘extensive resources’ on a truly global scale.

The firm is particularly renowned for advising numerous biotech and medical technology companies, both high profile and smaller ones and for solving problems arising from applying the law to new technologies.

Among recent highlights, Arnold & Porter LLP negotiated a settlement of the claims between VeriSign and ICANN providing for the continued operation of the registries by VeriSign under long-term contractual agreement.

CLIENTS: The attorneys’ ‘tremendous experience in litigation’ attracts an abundance of well-known clients from a wide range of industries such as Microsoft, Dell, Tiffany & Co, Swarovski, Starwood Hotels and Gucci America.

INDIVIDUALS: James Swine is known for ‘sharp mind and business focus’. Based in New York, one of his strengths relates to defending clients from the science and medical field against scientific fraud or misconduct in research activities.

Head of the Washington DC trademark practice, Roberta Horton is a ‘versed attorney, who never fails to impress’, say clients.

Greenberg Traurig Llp

PRACTICE: Greenberg Traurig LLP brings a ‘practical and business oriented approach’ to the full-service trademark practice in a variety of commercial and technological fields, say clients. With over 1,800 lawyers based in offices all over the world, the firm is ‘extremely reliable and responsive’.

With a very consolidated reputation for anti-counterfeiting work, the practice offers global world protection of many high-profile fashion brands, such as Hermes, Diane Von Furstenberg and Balenciaga. The firm is a ‘true specialist’ in protecting clients’ rights in trademarks through the process of trademark infringement and false advertising.

Clients praise Greenberg Traurig LLP’s ‘tremendous depth of skills’ in securing, protecting and enforcing trademarks rights and are also impressed by the firm’s ‘constant ability to tailor their needs and adopt new strategies’.

Among other highlights, Greenberg Traurig LLP successfully obtained an agreement, under which Polo Ralph Lauren became the official parade outfitter of the US team at the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing.

Last year, Greenberg Traurig LLP represented the owners of the The Plaza Hotel in New York and successfully won a case against Tamares Properties, who had sued The Plaza Hotel for trademark infringement and changed the name of a Las Vegas hotel into Plaza Hotel and Casino.

CLIENTS: In addition to the ones mentioned above, the firm handles matters for clients Perry Ellis, The North Face Appeal, Nicole Miller, Wynn Hotels, Barclays Global Investors and Demand Media.

INDIVIDUALS: One name consistently mentioned by clients in the area of trademark litigation is that of Roxanne Elings. Based in New York, Elings has vast expertise in counterfeiting and trademark infringement and has been described by clients as ‘extremely helpful and always available’ in addition to being ‘very talented in the area of IP’.

With over 35 years of trademark experience, Harley Lewin is seen by clients as ‘an expert in the fashion industry’ and specialises in registration and counseling, on top of conducting complex trademark litigation.

Morrison & Foerster

PRACTICE: With a growing force in trademark litigation and a well-established presence in San Francisco, Morrison & Foerster is seen by clients as being ‘very professional’. The firm has offices dotted on both the East and West Coast and is proud of its ‘strong technical knowledge’, appealing to clients from the computer, banking, entertainment and telecommunication industries.

Handling high-stage matters and with a growing force in trademark litigation, it is no surprise that Morrison & Foerster retains a large number of clients, who are happy with the ‘unique knowledge base of attorneys, which is well-suited for their needs’.

Among the firm’s successes, the litigation team proudly represented Lasting Impressions, the only trademark case heard by the Supreme Court in the US during its 2004-2005 team. In addition, the firm also won a final judgement on behalf the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority on a trademark infringement, after defendants dismissed an appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

CLIENTS: The firm litigates cases having global ramifications, such as E&J Gallo, but also Aran Candy Company, French Sole, Yahoo!, LucasFilm, BestWestern and Intel.

INDIVIDUALS: Co-chair of the IP-group Harold McElhinny has vast expertise in both the general federal and state court litigation practice. Based in San Francisco, McElhinny is effusively praised by clients for being ‘professional, highly talented and for making clients feel in good hands’.

Cooley Godward Kronish LLP

PRACTICE: With about 30,000 trademarks under management and nearly 2,000 trademarks’ application per year, Cooley Godward Kronish LLP is chosen by clients world-wide for providing answers that are always ‘dead on target’.

The trademark practice has been busy protecting trademarks for various companies in the technology field. Last year, the firm successfully enforced the famous eBay brand and won the case on the basis of trademark infringement.

In addition, the litigation department has been protecting Facebook’s brands from infringers and pirates through trademark enforcement and defense actions throughout the world. In their praise about the firm, clients say that ‘the trademark team can distil any legal issue into components that are important’.

CLIENTS: The firm attracts a whole array of clients from the technology and entertainment sectors, such as eBay, Bluetooth, Radio One, Facebook, Nintendo, Playboy and Yahoo!

INDIVIDUALS: Based in San Francisco, John Crittenden is seen by clients as ‘never wasting time in solving an issue’. He is also praised for making clients feel like a ‘co-worker or a friend instead of a client’.

Celia Goldwarg Barenholtz chairs the litigation department, with tremendous experience complex commercial and IP litigation. Barenholtz has a reputation for having ‘great interpersonal skills and for offering realistic expectations upon which to build a legal budget’

FITZPATRICK, CELLA, HARPER & SCINTO

PRACTICE: Headquartered in New York City, Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto is a ‘well-known’ IP boutique. The firm has a thriving practice exclusively in the trademark field and handles all sorts of issues, ranging from counterfeiting to cybersquatting.

With about 150 lawyers working in Washington DC and Costa Mesa as well as New York, clients proclaim that the firm ‘provides reliable and accurate advice’ and offers ‘effective time-management’.

Among the highlights, the firm won a judgement on behalf of Calvin Klein against Calvin Clothing’s attempt to use and register Calvin’s trademarks for a variety of clothes.

CLIENTS: Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto attracts clients ranging from the pharmaceutical to the fashion, food and publishing industries such as AstraZeneca, Canon, Conde Nast, GlaxoSmithKline, IBM, Honeywell, Novartis, MTV Networks, America Express, Merck and Sanofi-Aventis.

INDIVIDUALS: Clients see Edward Vassallo as ‘a fantastic and tenacious lawyer’ with extensive trial expertise in the chemical, mechanical and computer fields. Another name that springs to clients’ minds in relation to trademark litigation is that of Pasquale Razzano, who is praised for his ‘exceptional talent’. He has vast courtroom experience in US District Courts at the Federal Court of Appeal. Both lawyers are based in New York.

HOWREY LLP

PRACTICE: With ten offices in the US, six in Europe and one in Asia, Howrey LLP boasts a thriving trademark practice and ‘deserves to be recognized’, say clients.

The firm counts about 270 IP lawyers handling complex cases across a variety of industries all over the world. In addition to its global presence, Howrey LLP has a strong and developed client focus, offering a highly developed IP-infrastructure and excellent resources, which often result in costs-savings for clients.

The trademark litigation practice monitors and maintains over 50,00 client trademark dockets and the according to clients trademark lawyers give advice that is ‘calibrated to their needs’.

The firm recently won a major trial victory for long-time trademark portfolio client Abercrombie & Fitch in relation to its symbol, the moose, against Apparel Company Moose Creek. The jury reached a unanimous verdict in favour Abercrombie & Fitch on every question submitted and awarded actual and punitive damages.

CLIENTS: As well as the one mentioned above, the firm’s reputation attracts clients such as Boston Scientific Corporation, General Electric, Procter & Gamble, BMW and Cable & Wireless.

INDIVIDUALS: Washington DC–based John Froemming is the name on clients lips: he is rated by clients as ‘fabulous and with great trial skills’. With over 20 years of trial counsel experience across the US, he handles a multitude of complex trademark litigation matters.

Susan Kayser, also based in the Washington, DC, office, is considered a ‘rising start’ in the trademark litigation arena. With a focus on trade dress infringement, dilution, reverse confusion and unfair competition, Kayser represents clients in federal courts across the US.

Clients also praise Bobby Ghajar for being ‘a responsive and competent litigator’. Working in the Los Angeles office, Ghajar argued successfully before the Trademark Trial and Appeal and settled various multi-national disputes.

FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI LLP

PRACTICE: Fulbright & Jaworski LLP doesn’t fail to impress clients, who recognize the ‘firm’s effective delegation and leverage of resources’.

With 16 offices worldwide, the firm has a multi-faceted trademark litigation practice, offering advice on internet/e-commerce related issues, enforcing marks in the US and abroad and on supporting global anti-counterfeiting programmes.

It is not surprising that a vast number of clients, spanning from corporations to governments, non-profit organisations and individuals, seek the firm for legal advice. In their praise, they comment on the trademark team ‘being responsive but also appropriately aggressive’.

In the entertainment industry, the trademark group has recently been successful in obtaining an injunction on behalf of famous comic entertainer against clothing manufacturer, which was using Foxworthy’s jokes on T-shirts.

CLIENTS: The firm has impressive skills in many industries, where representatives include 3M, Procter & Gamble, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Mary Kay, Starbucks and GlaxoSmithKline.

INDIVIDUALS: Based in Austin, Richard Groos handles a variety of trademark matters, including consultation, trademark clearance, investigation and enforcement. Clients are constantly impressed by his ‘strong advocate skills’.

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

PRACTICE: Headquartered in Chicago, Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a ‘rising star’ in the trademark litigation field, boasting a booming and vibrant practice. With six offices scattered around the country and one in London, the firm has one of the oldest IP practices in the US.

The trademarks litigation group is particularly well respected due to its high success rate at trial and its ‘pragmatic approach’ to business problems. Kirkland & Ellis LLP litigators are not ‘afraid to go to court’, say clients.

The practice litigates high profile - clients across all US jurisdictions defending clients against allegations of unfair competition, false advertising and trademarks infringement. Amongst the firm’s successes, the trademark team defended tobacco giant North Atlantic Operating Company against patent infringement regarding the use on the packaging.

CLIENTS: The group possesses a range of talents, especially in the pharmaceutical, such as GlaxoSmithKline and technology areas, for example: Apple, BASF, Honeywell, Motorola, Samsung and Verizon.

INDIVIDUALS: Paul Garcia in Chicago is a recurrent name on clients’ lips, due to his wide trial experience and his reputation as a ‘top-notch lawyer’. Lisa Holubar, also in Chicago, is praised by clients for her ‘very deep talents’.

PATTISHALL, McAULIFFE, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP

PRACTICE: IP-boutique Pattishall, McAuliffe, Hilliard & Geraldson LLP specializes on trademark, copyright, internet and e-commerce matters, with a strong focus on litigation. The firm is proud of its long-term clients, who are impressed by the lawyers’ ‘rapid response, along with the creativity and quality of its legal analysis’.

A recent success involves seven trademark infringement actions filed and won on behalf of

PepsiCo resulting in injunctions and monetary awards for the client. In addition, the firm won dismissal of six trademark and fraud claims in an appeal before the Illinois Appellate Court on behalf of the same client.

CLIENTS: Pattishall, McAuliffe, Hilliard & Geraldson LLP has a strong client list including Northern Trust, Ford Motor, PepsiCo, Nextep, Medline Industries, Hope Wine, BASF, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Hershey Trust and General Electric.

INDIVIDUALS: David Hilliard handles IP matters ranging from anti-counterfeiting to unfair competition and infringement. Based in Chicago, Hilliard is described by clients as ‘excellent’ has tried major trademark and copyright cases throughout the United States and thanks to his trial experience, he is frequently brought into litigation as replacement counsel.

Goodwin Procter Llp

PRACTICE: With seven national offices and one in London, Goodwin Procter LLP handles matters on trademarks, false advertising and unfair competition litigation providing ‘responsiveness and subject matter expertise’.

The firm has successfully represented a vast array of both national and international companies from the technology, financial and food industry and is very active in numerous contested matters and appeals in the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Clients are impressed by the attorneys’ ‘great litigation skills’ and ‘client focus-approach’, together with their ‘responsiveness’. Among the highlights, Goodwin Procter LLP reached a favourable settlement concerning infringement of the Blackberry trademark for client Research in Motion.

CLIENTS: Goodwin Procter LLP handles matters for Lehman Brothers, Campbell Soup, Zone Labs, Citizen Financial Group and New Balance.

INDIVIDUALS: Boston-based David Hosp is praised for his ‘high quality work and efficient service’, and Ira Levy in New York is seen as having ‘tremendous trial experience’ especially in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical fields.

LATHAM & WATKINS LLP

PRACTICE: Located in 12 countries and handling matters spanning across multiple jurisdictions, Latham & Watkins LLP is proud of its ‘outstanding results’ across a whole spectrum of trademark disputes.

The litigation team is regarded by clients as being ‘among the best teams in the country’, in terms of substantial trial experience and depth of knowledge. The firm is able to address complex litigation cases and attracts a wide array of clients, including many cutting-edge IT companies.

Notable successes include a defeat of SC Johnson & Son in a variety of false advertising claims and infringements of multiple trademarks on behalf of Buzz Off Insect Shield over some of the client’s products.

CLIENTS: In addition to those mentioned above, the firm advises Alliaz, Cartier, Frank Gehry, Mont Blanc, Sony, Intel and Nestlé.

INDIVIDUALS: Co-chair of the firm’s global IP and technology group, Perry Viscounty in Costa Mesa, California, has ‘ample experience with his work’ and is viewed by clients as ‘offering the best legal advice’.

McDERMOTT WILL & EMERY LLP

PRACTICE: With a total of 16 offices scattered around the US and Europe, McDermott Will & Emery LLP has a large and well-respected IP litigation practice. With a reputation of being one of the most active trademark-practices in the US, the firm handles a full spectrum of trademark and unfair competition matters.

With a developed experience in trial and appellate courts, clients are happy with the litigation team and agree in saying that it ‘has wonderful follow through.’

McDermott Will & Emery LLP recently conducted successful litigation in the federal courts on behalf of Absolute Vodka for the protection of the Absolute brand. In addition, the firm obtained final judgement in a trademark infringement lawsuit relating to the Absolute Ruby Red brand.

CLIENTS: On the long list of clients are Jacuzzi Brands, Hitachi, Silver Jeans, Ted Turner Enterprises, Nicole Miller and Victoria’s Secret.

INDIVIDUALS: Head of the Washington DC office and of the firm’s trademark practice group Robert Zelnick is an experienced trademark litigator, in addition to being a registered patent attorney. His practice has a strong focus on unfair competition matters, where Zelnick serves as lead counsel in both the federal trial and appellate courts.

PAUL HASTINGS JANOFSKY & WALKER

PRACTICE: Located in nine US cities and with considerable presence in Europe and Asia, Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker offers a ‘high level of technical skills and thorough investigations’, say clients.

The firm represents and advises clients in all aspect of trademark law and has a well-established litigation practice in trademark, trade dress and domain disputes.

The litigation team recently obtained summary judgement on behalf of beauty-company Garnier dismissing allegations of trademark infringement of some of their hair care products.

CLIENTS: The practice has a strong presence in the beauty industry, advising clients such as L’Oreal, Toni & Guy and Fragrancenet, but also handles matters for Jones Apparel Group, Nestlé, Citygroup, Armani, Garnier and TDAX Funds.

INDIVIDUALS: With over 35 years’ experience in trademark law, unfair competition and false advertising, Robert Sherman in New York is an ‘excellent attorney’, who ‘has the client’s interest in mind, rather than the interest of the firm’.

PROSKAUER ROSE LLP

PRACTICE: Representing a diversified array of clients, Proskauer Rose LLP has a distinguished trademark practice, with a strong focus on litigation matters. Based in the heart of New York City, Proskauer Rose LLP handles various types of trademark issues, such as clearance, counseling and prosecution both nationally and internationally.

The trademark litigation team is currently representing Mount Sinai Medical Center in concurrent use proceeding against Mount Sinai of Miami, concerning the mark Mount Sinai.

CLIENTS: The firm’s trademark active practice boasts an array of clients such as Whole Foods, Colgate-Palmolive, Kraft Foods, Procter & Gamble, Estée Lauder, PPL Confidential and Georgia Pacific.

INDIVIDUALS: The driving forces behind Proskauer Rose LLP's successful litigation team are Brendan O’Rourke and Lawrence Weinstein, who are both based in New York. O’Rourke has over 20 years’ experience in trademark litigation and counselling, whereas Weinstein is the co-chair of the firm’s trademark and false advertising practice group.