Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman, PC > New York, United States > Firm Profile

Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman, PC
114 WEST 47TH STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10036
NEW YORK
United States

Intellectual property > Copyright Tier 1

The powerhouse boutique New York firm Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman, PC remains a leader in the marketplace, advising major multinationals across such sectors as music, publishing, video games, sports, and retail on high-stakes copyright prosecution and litigation. Jonathan King heads the practice, representing key music recording and publishing clients, such as Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music and Atlantic Records. Seasoned litigator Richard Mandel brings over three decades of experience in the practice space to the team. Publishing sector expert Richard Dannay acts for Penguin Random House and other major market players, on high-stakes infringement cases and issues of fair use. Counsel Thomas Kjellberg specializes in the field of copyright licensing and enforcement. Eric Shimanoff, a veteran copyright lawyer with extensive experience at the federal and state levels, handles matters concerning web sites, social media, and NFTs. Joel Karni Schmidt provides key support on clearance, registration, and enforcement matters for a wide-ranging base of clients, which spans the video games, media, and retail sectors. Joelle Milov was promoted to partner in January 2023. Maria A. Scungio joined from Robinson & Cole LLP in February 2023. All the lawyers mentioned work in New York.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan King

Testimonials

‘The team is very responsive and creative, and will always go the extra mile so the client will be happy.’

Key clients

Atlantic Recording Corporation

Dover Publications Inc.

Eli Lilly

Hanky Panky Ltd.

HarperColllins

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

House of Skye LLC

Magic School Bus authors

Materialize N.V.

McGraw Hill Education

Norman Rockwell Family Agency

Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc.

Penguin Random House

Practising Law Institute

Rick Riordan

Rosen Publishing Group Inc.

Sony Music Entertainment

Sotheby’s

Star of Hope

Teachers College Press, Columbia University

The First Church of Christ, Scientist

The Forward Fund, Inc.

The Promotion in Motion Companies, Inc.

Trebco Specialty Products (WUBBANUB)

Universal Music Group

Warner Music Group

Writers House

Work highlights

  • Representing Universal Music Group and other music publishers in an action that alleges a “systematic and widespread infringement“ of copyrighted song lyrics by the artificial intelligence company Anthropic through its available AI chatbot Claude.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: litigation Tier 2

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.

Practice head(s):

Richard Mandel

Other key lawyers:

Jonathan King; Eric Shimanoff; Mary Kevlin; Kieran Doyle; Maryann Licciardi; Maria Scungio

Testimonials

‘A really nice team: professional, helpful, and knowledgeable.’

‘Cowan Liebowitz & Latman know their stuff, and take a strategic and commercial approach, which is very helpful to us and our clients. They are also very responsive and really enjoyable to work with.’

‘They are one of our go-to firms for US trademark work.’

‘The uniqueness of the practice is the personal attention given to every matter by the lawyers and paralegals.’

‘Partners and associates always keep themselves updated on developments and will factor in these developments in their advice.’

‘I would like to mention Joel Schmidt, Eric Shimanoff, Richard Mandel, and Kieran Doyle. They are an absolute pleasure to work with and their attention to detail, timely responsiveness, and practical solutions are noteworthy.’

Key clients

Barclays Bank PLC

Conair Corporation

Empire State Realty Trust

G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. (DKNY and Donna Karan)

Hanky Panky Ltd.

Henry Schein, Inc.

Ithaka Harbors, Inc. (JSTOR and Artstor)

Kars 4 Kids

Major League Baseball

Maxima Apparel Corp

MCSI, Inc.

National Audubon Society

New York Public Library

Newfold Digital, Inc.

QVC, Inc.

Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.

S&P Global / Standard & Poor’s Financial Services

Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sotheby’s

The Blackstone Group

The Forward Fund, Inc.

The Promotion in Motion Companies, Inc.

Tri State Management/Wetson Restaurant Group

Universal Music Group

Warby Parker Inc.

Wicked Fashions, Inc.

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse

Work highlights

  • Acting as co-counsel on a successful appeal to the Third Circuit, which reversed a judgment against our client Kars 4 Kids, Inc. for over $10m.
  • Representing Promotion In Motion, Inc. and Welch Foods Inc. in an action alleging the defendant’s holiday packaging formats for its Sunkist Fruit Gummies infringes clients’ trade dress in their Welch’s Fruit Snacks product.
  • Responsible for S&P Global’s international portfolio of trademarks, including its active protection and enforcement.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing) Tier 2

Maintaining an active practice extending across sports, entertainment and technology sectors to name a few, ‘fantastically capable’ New York boutique firm Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman, PC is noted for its wide-ranging practice across trademark counseling, clearance, prosecution and enforcement across an international scale. The team also regularly handles social media issues, advertising matters and co-branding agreements. Practice head Deborah Squiers leverages her vast expertise in handling portfolio work as well as opposition and cancellation proceedings to assist household name brands, while Joel Karni Schmidt is geared to handle strategic work and prosecution and management matters for well-known brands and not-for-profit organizations. Mary Kevlin oversees domestic and international portfolios and international clearance and filing programs. Kieran Doyle is well positioned to handle sports, fashion and cannabis related mandates, and Robert English routinely represents a varied client roster, from start-ups and established companies, on a multitude of trademark enforcement and prosecution. Another recommended lawyer is Meichelle MacGregor, who demonstrates proficiencies across a diverse range of sectors, from fashion and jewelry to chemical and manufacturing industries. Reema Pangarkar is another key name to note in the practice.

Practice head(s):

Deborah Squiers

Other key lawyers:

Joel Karni Schmidt; Mary Kevlin; Kieran Doyle; Robert English; Meichelle MacGregor; Reema Pangarkar

Testimonials

‘All members of the team are brilliant. Quick, responsive and fantastically capable.’

‘Robert English is a fantastic lawyer who seems to know all there is to know about trademark prosecution. Friendly, likeable and makes the process easy.’

‘We consider Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman, PC a very reliable firm for complex matters in United States. Any time we have worked together we have been provided with the best advice for our clients.’

‘Joel Karni Schmidt is wonderful – he is a solid subject matter expert, but also extremely sensitive to the need to balance legal risk with business needs, providing practical guidance.’

‘A really nice team: professional, helpful and knowledgeable.’

‘I have the privilege of being represented by Meichelle MacGregor at the firm, and I can’t speak highly enough about her. Meichelle’s legal expertise is truly exceptional. She possesses a profound understanding of the law and has a remarkable ability to consider multiple perspectives when addressing any situation. This quality allows her to provide me with invaluable advice, enabling me to make well-informed and educated decisions.’

‘The firm provides technical, strategic and practical solutions to complex IP issues or problems, which distinguishes them in the IP marketplace as few firms can provide all three. They are also good at sticking to budget estimates, which is very helpful to my clients.’

‘Cowan Liebowitz & Latman know their stuff, and take a strategic and commercial approach, which is very helpful to us and our clients. They are also very responsive and really enjoyable to work with. They are one of our “go to” firms for US trade mark work.’

Key clients

Alfa Romeo

Alila International Services Corporation (owned by Hyatt Hotels Corporation)

Amika LLC

Barclays PLC

Bluebird Botanicals

Columbia University

Curtis Instruments, Inc.

Danessa Myricks Beauty

Empire State Realty Trust (Empire State Building)

First Church of Christ, Scientist

G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. (DKNY and DONNA KARAN)

Hanky Panky Ltd.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Major League Baseball

Maxima Apparel Corp

MCSI, Inc.

Morgan Stanley

National Audubon Society

New York Public Library

Promotion in Motion Companies, Inc. (d.b.a. PIM Brands)

QVC, Inc. (now part of Qurate Retail Inc.)

Ryder System, Inc. (RYDER mark)

S&P Global / Standard & Poor’s Financial Services

Share a Splash Wine Co. (CANNONBALL)

Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sotheby’s

Starr Companies

Swarovski AG

The Blackstone Group

The Forward Fund, Inc.

Thompson Hotels LLC (owned by Hyatt Hotels Corporation)

Tri State Management/Wetson Restaurant Group

Warby Parker Inc.

Wicked Fashions, Inc.

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse

Work highlights

  • Supervising the protection of the marks of Major League Baseball and its 30 clubs in the U.S., including from the point of application through registration and following maintenance.
  • Representing S&P Global Inc. (S&P and Standard & Poor’s), an internationally renowned financial entity, in all aspects of the management of its worldwide trademark portfolio, numbering approximately 2500 filings.
  • Provided trademark portfolio management services to G-III Apparel Group, Ltd.

Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman (CLL) is recognized worldwide as a leading intellectual property law and litigation firm. It also represents clients in the areas of corporate and commercial law, advertising and information technology, customs, international cargo and regulatory compliance, real estate law, trusts and estates, and military law. The firm’s experience spans a broad range of industries and is international in scope.

The firm’s attorneys are recognized for their professional accomplishments and experience, as well as their pro bono work and community service. They are also respected adjunct professors and prolific authors and represent clients of all sizes across a broad range of industries. The boutique size of the firm, and the breadth of its practice capabilities, allows it to provide a multi-disciplinary approach in a cost-effective manner.

Main areas of practice: CLL works with both in-house corporate law departments and clients who do not have staff attorneys. The practice is both domestic and international, and includes representation of public companies, privately held entities, family-owned businesses, and entrepreneurs. It acts as general counsel or provides special counseling on particular issues, from routine matters to highly sophisticated transactions.

CLL is involved in all aspects of IP law, with key areas of specialization in trademarks, copyrights and patents. Attorneys work closely with clients to develop and protect their IP assets. It is equally well prepared to address routine matters and the most unique transactions and cutting-edge lawsuits.

CLL’s customs, international cargo and regulatory compliance practice is headed by C.J. Erickson.  This group advises on all trade matters and interacts with US government officials, at agency headquarters and locally, and its attorneys have testified before Congress on pending and proposed legislative and administrative matters, and regularly appear in court on trade matters.

The firm represents both employers and employees in negotiating executive employment contracts. It is often consulted regarding an executive’s rights in terminations, from rights to severance payments to calculation of benefits. It also advises on harassment and discrimination claims, employee reviews and workplace misconduct.

The IT practice group takes a multi-disciplinary approach to IT, computer law, e-commerce, social media, domain names and the internet. Equally important, it understands and is experienced in the business and commercial issues affected by technology. As a result, CLL is able to help clients participate in today’s marketplace like few other firms.

CLL has extensive trial and appellate experience in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies. It represents clients in proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and in domain name arbitration actions before the World Intellectual Property Organization and the National Arbitration Forum.

CLL’s military law practice is headed by Ronald Meister, a former Navy JAG officer and military judge who represented hundreds of clients in military justice and legal assistance matters while on active duty.

The firm’s real estate practitioners assist corporate clients as well as meeting the needs of the firm’s private clients. Attorneys bring the same dedication, knowledge and skill to the acquisition of an 800-square-foot co-op as they do to the acquisition and financing of a multi-tenanted commercial building.

From time to time, clients require legal advice and assistance with personal legal issues and transactions. From real estate to tax and matrimonial matters, CLL’s attorneys provide the legal expertise, insight and care that clients have come to expect in their other business relationships with the firm.

CLL combines sophisticated tax planning experience with sensitivity and practical solutions. The focus is on preserving clients’ assets, avoiding family acrimony and, where there are closely held or family-owned businesses, planning for management and ownership continuity and succession.

Department Name Email Telephone
Customs CJ Erickson
Employment Robert Giordanella
General business Simon Gerson
Military Ron Meister
Patent Mark Montague
Personal (wills and tax) Robert Giordanella
Trademark Deborah Squiers
Chair of Firm Kieran Doyle
Litigation Richard Mandel
Advertising Adam Siegartel
Copyright Jonathan King
Photo Name Position Profile
William Borchard photo Mr William Borchard Senior Counsel.  Bill has handled domestic and international trademark and copyright matters…
Jeffrey Chery photo Mr Jeffrey Chery Partner. Jeffrey’s practice focuses on trademark prosecution, clearance, and maintenance matters. In…
Dasha Chestukhin photo Ms Dasha Chestukhin Associate. Dasha’s practice encompasses a broad range of intellectual property matters, including…
Richard Dannay photo Mr Richard Dannay Counsel. A litigator and practitioner in the areas of copyright, publishing and…
Kieran Doyle photo Mr Kieran Doyle Partner.  Kieran counsels clients regarding trademark clearance, registration, prosecution, licensing and protection.…
Robert English photo Mr Robert English Partner.  Bob’s practice focuses on domestic and international trademark prosecution and enforcement matters.…
Jeffrey Epstein photo Mr Jeffrey Epstein Partner.  Jeff concentrates on domestic and international trademark law, including practicing before…
C. J. Erickson photo Mr C. J. Erickson Partner.  Head of the Customs, International Cargo and Regulatory Compliance Group C.J.…
Simon Gerson photo Mr Simon Gerson Counsel.  Simon has more than 30 years of experience counseling and attending…
Robert Giordanella photo Mr Robert Giordanella Partner.  Bob concentrates on succession planning and estate and trust administration. He…
Kyle-Beth Hilfer photo Ms Kyle-Beth Hilfer Counsel.  Kyle-Beth Hilfer has over thirty years’ experience providing legal counsel to…
J. Christopher Jensen photo Mr J. Christopher Jensen Counsel.  Chris is a senior member of the firm’s litigation group. His…
Mary Kevlin photo Ms Mary Kevlin Partner. concentrates on all facets of trademark, copyright and unfair competition law.
Jonathan King photo Mr Jonathan King Jonathan King is a Partner and former long-time Chair and Executive Committee…
Thomas Kjellberg photo Mr Thomas Kjellberg Counsel.  Tom Kjellberg practices in the areas of copyright, right of publicity…
Maryann Licciardi photo Ms Maryann Licciardi Partner. Maryann’s practice focuses on domestic and international trademark and copyright matters,…
Meichelle MacGregor photo Ms Meichelle MacGregor Counsel.  Meichelle’s practice consists of counseling clients on all types of intellectual…
Richard Mandel photo Mr Richard Mandel Partner.  Richard is a litigator with more than thirty years of experience…
Ronald Meister photo Mr Ronald Meister Counsel.  Mr. Meister has successfully litigated cases ranging from a criminal antitrust…
Joelle Milov photo Joelle Milov Partner.  Joelle represents clients in all aspects of securing and defending intellectual…
Mark Montague photo Mr Mark Montague Partner.   Mark is head of the firm’s patent group. Mark is…
Joel Karni Schmidt photo Mr Joel Karni Schmidt Partner.  Joel is a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee with over…
Eric Shimanoff photo Mr Eric Shimanoff Partner. Eric Shimanoff advises on and litigates complex intellectual property matters concerning…
Adam Siegartel photo Mr Adam Siegartel Counsel. St. John’s University School of Law (JD 2003, cum laude) (CALI Award for…
Deborah Squiers photo Ms Deborah Squiers Partner and Head of the Firm’s Trademark Group. Debbie concentrates her practice…
Dorothy Whitney photo Ms Dorothy Whitney Counsel.  Dorothy brings her talents as a lawyer to many fields. She…
Anastasia Zhadina photo Ms Anastasia Zhadina Partner.  Anastasia concentrates on patent and trademark counseling, patent preparation and prosecution…
Number of Partners : 17
Number of Other Fee-Earners : 44
Total Staff : 90
Creole
Catalan
Chinese (Mandarin)
English
French
Hebrew
Japanese
Russian
Serbian
Spanish
AIPLA
ABA
INTA - International Trademark Association
Chairman : Jonathan Z King
Executive committee member : Joel Karni Schmidt
Counsel : J. Christopher Jensen