Maintaining a strong position at the forefront of the trademark litigation space, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP leverages its wide-ranging sector expertise that encompasses tech, consumer goods, pharma, and retail, among others, to advise a multitude of blue-chip clients such as Adidas and SpaceX on market-leading trademark issues. Operating from New York and San Francisco, practice head David Bernstein enjoys a particularly strong reputation in handling market-leading and high-stakes litigation for global clients. Megan Bannigan is active in the firm’s New York office, representing numerous high-profile brands in a range of multifaceted disputes and is also Vice Chair of the American Bar Association IP Section Trademark Division. Bolstering the practice with his experience in litigating in both state and federal courts as well as before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, New York’s Jared Kagan‘s capabilities extend from managing preliminary injunctions to overturning summary judgment decisions. San Francisco’s Christopher Ford is a go-to for trademark matters in the tech and blockchain sectors, also handling investigations brought by the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission, among others.

Regarded as a leader in the trademark litigation field, Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu, P.C. utilizes its global network to handle multi-jurisdictional trademark litigation for an impressive roster of pharma, retail, and celebrity clients, among others. Senior litigator Nadine Jacobson excels in engaging in complex international disputes, while Laura Popp-Rosenberg represents notable blue-chip clients across the fashion, beverages, financial services, and sport sectors. David Donahue routinely represents a multitude of clients that are active in the areas of fashion, music, entertainment, and film, and James Weinberger possesses considerable knowledge in managing trademark, dilution, and false advertising matters. Jason Jones is notably active in federal trial and appellate courts, as well as before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Veteran litigator Barbara Solomon and Leo Kittay bolster the practice with their extensive experience in the trademark arena. All listed lawyers operate from the firm’s New York office.

Widely regarded as a force in the trademark litigation sphere, Kirkland & Ellis LLP is regularly engaged by notable global companies to advise on market-leading issues across electronic games, software, tech, and consumer products sectors. New York’s Dale Cendali steers the practice with her impressive experience before the US Supreme Court and involvement in a number of high-profile litigations. Also in New York is Claudia Ray, who is particularly active in the entertainment and media, financial services, tech, and consumer products sectors, and Johanna Schmitt, whose capabilities extend outside the traditional trademark remit to encompass domain name and contract issues. In Los Angeles, Diana Torres operates for a consortium of clients that includes software developers, consumer product manufacturers, and entertainment and media companies, while Allison Buchner is routinely entrusted by consumers, competitors, and federal regulators, including the Federal Trade Commission. In New York, Joshua Simmons demonstrates excellence in the spheres of media and tech, Shanti Sadtler Conway’s wide-ranging expertise reaches right of publicity, social media and licensing issues, and Mary Mazzello contributes her capabilities across sports, health, financial services, and consulting industries.

With a varied client roster that is comprised of start-ups, private companies, and global corporations, ‘incredibly efficient’ Cooley LLP capitalizes on its offices across Europe and Asia to advise on complex tech and life sciences sector mandates, as well as e-commerce, video games, and cosmetics mandates. The team also acts for significant celebrity clients, such as Hailey Rhode Bieber. Practice head Brendan Hughes, who is based in the firm’s Washington DC office, utilizes his notable experience before the US Court of Appeals for the Second and Sixth Circuit to provide clients with comprehensive trademark advice. San Francisco’s Bobby Ghajar bolsters the team with his experience in various courts of appeal and the USPTO, with an expertise extending from trademark to copyright and licensing issues. Active in both New York and Los Angeles, JP Oleksiuk is geared to handle trademark-related aspects of corporate transactions and advise prominent brands on trademark issues in a multitude of sectors, routinely operating on an international scale. Angela Dunning departed the firm in October 2023 to join Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton.

Counting Major League Baseball, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Maserati in its impressive client roster, ‘strategic and commercial’ Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman, PC demonstrates considerable strength in handling trademark issues arising from the music, food, sports, hospitality, and consumer products sectors. Alongside this, the practice is particularly proficient in managing UDRP domain name proceedings and social media disputes for significant clients. Richard Mandel spearheads the practice, leveraging his more than 35 years of experience in the field to advise on false advertising, licensing, and domain name disputes, among others. Jonathan King is well-versed in assisting with trademark matters in the fashion, pharma, software and sports industries, while Kieran Doyle operates for a varied array of blue-chip clients in federal and state courts. Eric Shimanoff is noted for his handling of social media, websites, NFT, and virtual internet trademark, domain name, and false identification issues. Seasoned litigator Mary Kevlin has been involved in a diverse array of TTAB proceedings, and Maryann Licciardi focuses on trademark contested proceedings, litigation, prosecution, and domain name disputes. All listed lawyers are based in New York.

With an established presence in representing clients in the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, federal circuit courts of appeal and various other tribunals, Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP's extensive litigation experience enables it to operate for global brands such as Under Armour and Sony Corporation. The practice is jointly led by Naresh Kilaru, managing partner Erika Harmon Arner and chair Anand Sharma. Kilaru’s capabilities encompass disputes arising from computer source code, product packaging, and gray-market goods, while key contact Danny Awdeh, who leads the firm’s trademark, copyright, and advertising group, demonstrates an outstanding knowledge of litigation concerning trademark infringement, counterfeiting, unfair competition, dilution, and false advertising. B. Brett Heavner’s expansive expertise incorporates all aspects of domestic and foreign trademark protection, and Douglas Rettew capitalizes on his immense experience in US Court of Appeals cases to count blue-chip global names in his client roster. Mark Sommers frequently handles matters pertaining to trademarks, intermediary liability, and rights of publicity, with Morgan E. Smith contributing her prowess in injunctive relief and offensive and defensive discovery. All named lawyers are based in Washington DC.

Drawing on its bench strength across US, Europe, and the Asia Pacific regions, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is highly recommended for its significant experience in the International Trade Commission and before the TTAB. The practice is jointly-helmed by San Francisco’s Clement Seth Roberts and Los Angeles’s Alyssa Caridis, who contribute their extensive experience to the practice. In Boston, David Hosp has advised the most prominent media and technology companies in high-profile trademark litigations, and Mark Puzella has represented New Balance and a varied array of other notable clients before the courts. Sheryl Garko bolsters the practice with her considerable expertise covering a diverse range of technologies and the trademark issues surrounding them. Silicon Valley’s Diana Rutowski is noted for her ability to manage takedown campaigns that involve strategically locating trademark infringements online and developing an effective enforcement strategy, while San Francisco’s Nathan Shaffer is frequently retained by tech companies for assistance with high-stakes litigation.

Operating across the full spectrum of trademark litigation, Arnold & Porter retains a core practice in the brand protection and enforcement space, and is routinely engaged by companies operating in the tech, luxury goods, consumer products, and pharma industries. Seasoned litigator and tech sector specialist Matthew Wolf, who is based in Washington DC, and the vastly experienced Chicago-based Dina Hayes, whose multifaceted expertise includes working in cases involving power tools, biomedical infusion devices and digital audio fingerprinting methods, jointly spearheads the practice. In New York, Paul Llewellyn employs considerable expertise in handling infringement litigation, covering a diverse array of sectors from pharma and industrial products to luxury goods and consumer goods. Also in New York, Dori Hanswirth draws on experience handling TTAB proceedings, and Louis Ederer handles anti-counterfeiting -related matters. In Chicago, Michael Harris and Christopher Henk handle high-stakes lawsuits at the federal and appellate levels, while in Washington DC, John Rynkiewicz advises a considerable number of clients in relation to domestic and international-scale litigation. Other key names to note in New York include Theresa House and Matthew Salzmann.

Leveraging its strong presence across the Americas, and the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions, DLA Piper LLP (US) continues to advise clients in the generative AI space, and assists clients with NFT-related trademark filings, among a variety of other trademark litigation mandates. Tamar Duvdevani helms the practice from the firm’s New York office, harnessing her trademark and right-of-publicity litigation expertise to operate for Nike and other notable clients. Other key contacts include seasoned trademark and copyright litigator Gina Durham, who is based in San Francisco, and San Diego’s Melissa Reinckens, who contributes her wide-ranging experience across trademark, false advertising, and commercial litigation to the team. Washington DC’s Kevin Fee principally focuses on high-stakes trademark litigation before trial and appellate courts, and New York’s Marc Miller is well-versed in handling trademark litigation in federal and state courts.

With capabilities across the full life cycle of trademarks, Greenberg Traurig LLP utilizes its trademark, trade dress and false advertising expertise to assist notable clients such as Prime Hydration and Caesars Entertainment Corporation. Spearheading the practice is Susan Heller, who is active in the firm’s orange County and Los Angeles offices, and Atlanta’s Joel Feldman, who is noted for his strengths in Trademark Trial and Appeal Board proceedings. Also co-leading the practice is LA’s Candice Kim, who possesses a wealth of experience in all facets of the branding process, and Chicago’s Mark Galis, whose varied experience includes trademarks, brand protection and patents. Another name to note is Ian C. Ballon, who operates across Silicon Valley, LA and Washington DC.

Capable of advising clients across all phases of litigation, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP enjoys a strong grounding in ex parte appeals of examination and inter partes challenges to applications at the TTAB alongside considerable experience in managing opposition and cancellation proceedings. John Gary Maynard and Tyler Maddry spearhead the practice from the firm’s Washington DC office. Operating from the firm’s New York office, Jeremy Boczko is active across federal and administrative courts and Armin Ghiam capitalizes on his background in law, finance, and tech to advise clients across the full IP life cycle, from pre-suit investigations and mediation, to trial proceedings. In Washington DC, seasoned litigator Edward Colbert continues to be entrusted by financial services, entertainment, and consumer goods companies, while Erik C. Kane possesses considerable experience in federal courts, state courts, the ITC, and the TTAB. Other key figures include Richmond’s Stephen Demm and New York’s Jonathan Reichman.

With demonstrable capabilities cross federal and state trademark litigation, ‘business-savvy’ Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP maintains an active practice across pharma, computer software, fashion, and beverage sectors. Co-leads Lauren Keller Katzenellenbogen and Lynda Zadra-Symes are based in Orange County. Keller Katzenellenbogen bolsters the practice with her broad range of expertise, assisting clients in the computer software, medical devices, and consumer products industries, among others, while seasoned litigator Zadra-Symes draws on over 32 years of experience in handling proceedings in federal courts and the TTAB. Also based in Orange County is Ali Razai, whose strengths encompass issues arising in relation to mechanical and medical devices, optics, and biotech, and seasoned litigator Matthew Bellinger.  Other names to note include Los Angeles’ Brian Horne and Hans Mayer, who contribute their tech sector expertise to the practice.

A team that ‘balances thorough legal research and know-how with pragmatic business guidance’, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP covers a full array of trademark mandates for a stellar client roster that includes digital music streaming companies, leading social media platforms, major entertainment companies, and internet service providers. Benjamin Marks spearheads the practice, contributing his considerable expertise in advising on high-stakes trademark, copyright, and music licensing disputes. ‘Go-to lawyer’ Randi Singer is a strong choice for brand owners, internet, and e-commerce platforms, and traditional media companies, with Todd Larson being routinely entrusted by large-scale media and entertainment companies. ‘Problem-solver’ Jessica Falk brings strength in fashion, media, and tech. All listed attorneys are based in New York.

Leveraging its wide-ranging national and international office network to advise global and multinational brands, ‘highly commercial’ Dickinson Wright PLLC maintains a varied litigation practice that encompasses trademark infringement, dilution, and unfair competition issues, enjoying an active presence in federal courts on a national scale and has represented clients in Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Proceedings. In Washington DC, ‘standout’ attorney Nicole Meyer steers the department, contributing her expertise across the travel, food, clothing, and retail industries, while Jonathan Redway is routinely entrusted by clients to handle trademark, false advertising, and copyright disputes in state and federal courts. In Fort Lauderdale, Catherine Hoffman capitalizes on her considerable software engineering experience to assist clients with technical aspects within the IP space.

Cleveland’s Carrie Kiedrowski co-leads the ‘very practical, efficient, and knowledgeable’ team at Jones Day, which demonstrates wide-ranging capabilities in trademark, advertising, and unfair competition litigation, drawing strength from an office network that covers the Americas, EMEA, and Asia Pacific regions. Kiedrowski holds a wealth of experience in online trademark infringement issues and domain name disputes before the WIPO. Also in Cleveland is Meredith Wilkes, who operates for household name clients in trademark, trade dress, and design patent litigation. Based in Washington DC, veteran litigator John Froemming is well-versed in Lanham Act-related disputes. In Houston, Houston’s Anna E. Raimer strengthens the team with her experience before the TTAB, as well as her multi-jurisdictional capabilities, while Megan McKeown contributes her expertise across the sectors of airlines, media, and tech to the practice.

Latham & Watkins LLP utilizes an office network spanning North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, to act for high-profile clients such as Sephora and AbbVie, across a wide range of sectors. ‘Strategic’ and ‘talented’ Jennifer Barry, who jointly leads the practice from the firm’s San Diego office, is regularly entrusted by notable brands (including Peloton) to advise on complex litigation. Other practice heads include tech expert Tony Sammi in New York and Jeffrey Homrig in Austin, whose experience encompasses appearances in state and federal courts, and before the ITC. San Francisco’s Perry Viscounty possesses a wealth of experience advising brands, tech companies, athletes, and celebrities in a diverse array of trademark mandates.

Drawing on its bench strength across the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific regions, Mayer Brown routinely represents global consumer brands in a diverse host of matters arising from the food and beverages sector. John Mancini, who helms the practice from the firm’s New York office, is a strong choice for tech, media, and telecoms companies, bringing extensive experience representing these clients in the ITC, USPTO, and TTAB. In Chicago, Kristine Young routinely represents a diverse host of clients across the retail, banking, tech, entertainment, and hospitality industries.