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

Email firm Visit website 1 212 790 9200 1 212 575 0671

Intellectual property > Copyright Tier 1

The powerhouse boutique New York firm Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman, PC remains a market leader, advising major multinational corporates involved in high-stakes copyright prosecution and litigation across a diverse spectrum of industries. Jonathan King heads the practice, representing music recording and publishing clients including Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music and Atlantic Records, with Richard Mandel, who brings deep experience in the practice space, and counsel Thomas Kjellberg. Richard Dannay assists book publishers, such as Penguin Random House, on major infringement cases and issues of fair use. Eric Shimanoff, a veteran copyright lawyer with extensive experience in federal and state courts, arbitration and TTAB proceedings, handles matters concerning web sites, social media and NFTs. Joel Karni Schmidt provides key support on clearance, registration, enforcement to a client base which spans the video games, media and retail sectors. Joelle Milov was promoted to partner in January 2023.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan King

Other key lawyers:

Thomas Kjellberg; Richard Mandel; Richard Dannay; Eric Shimanoff; Joelle Milov

Testimonials

‘The team is a pleasure to work with. They have skill, expertise and excellent communication skills.’

Key clients

Universal Music Group

J. Crew Group, Inc.

The Promotion in Motion Companies, Inc.

Sotheby’s

Sony Music Entertainment

The First Church of Christ, Scientist

Trebco Specialty Products (WUBBANUB)

Penguin Random House LLC

Dover Publications Inc.

McGraw Hill Education

Practising Law Institute

Norman Rockwell Family Agency

Eli Lilly

Rosen Publishing Group Inc.

Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

House of Skye LLC (formerly Sexy Back Bra, LLC)

The Forward Fund, Inc.

Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.

Hanky Panky Ltd

Teachers College Press, Columbia University

Work highlights

Acting as co-counsel in defending UMG Recordings, Inc. against a class action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which alleges that the recording company defendants have routinely and systematically refused to recognize termination notices served under the U.S. copyright law.
Representing Atlantic Recording Corporation in a dispute over the ownership of master sound recordings which presents the issue of the applicability of the rule against perpetuities.
Representing the holder of the intellectual property rights for all works used by Jehovah’s Witnesses in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in a copyright infringement suit against a YouTuber who posted unauthorized and purloined copies of our client’s audio-visual works.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: litigation Tier 2

The team at boutique New York firm Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman, PC represents the likes of Major League Baseball, J. Crew, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, in addition to major players across sectors such as entertainment, music, food, apparel, sports, hospitality, consumer products, and financial services. Richard Mandel heads the team, representing film and television studios and key players in the food industry involved in proceedings in the federal courts and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). Jonathan King brings over 30 years of experience in the practice area. Eric Shimanoff brings expertise to matters related to social media, NFTs, virtual internet trademark, domain names, and false identification issues. Veteran litigator Mary Kevlin specializes in the sports sector handles disputes clients as Major League Baseball, along with Maryann Licciardi, who handles complex domain name issues. Other key figures include Kieran Doyle, who manages and protects QVC’s entire trademark portfolio, and Joelle Milov who was promoted to partner in January 2023. All the lawyers mentioned work in New York.

Rising stars

Dasha Chestukhin – Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman, PC

Practice head(s):

Richard Mandel

Other key lawyers:

Jonathan King; Eric Shimanoff; Mary Kevlin; Kieran Doyle; Maryann Licciardi; Joelle Milov

Testimonials

‘The Cowan team is responsive, engaged, pragmatic and commercial – and really know their law.’

Key clients

Major League Baseball

Minor League Baseball

J. Crew Group, Inc. and Madewell Inc.

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

Universal Music Group

Sony Pictures Entertainment

Kars 4 Kids

QVC, Inc.

Ithaka Harbors, Inc. (JSTOR and ARTSTOR)

Newfold Digital, Inc.

New York Public Library

The Promotion in Motion Companies, Inc.

Barclays Bank PLC

Target

Conair Corporation

Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.

Tri State Management/Wetson Restaurant Group

Wicked Fashions, Inc.

Warby Parker Inc.

Sotheby’s

Empire State Realty Trust

National Audubon Society

MCSI, Inc.

The Blackstone Group

Maxima Apparel Corp

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse

Henry Schein, Inc.

The Forward Fund, Inc.

Hanky Panky Ltd.

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

Work highlights

Acted for co-counsel representing Kars 4 Kids, Inc. on a successful appeal to the Third Circuit, which reversed a judgment against the client for over $10m.
Successfully defended on behalf of Meenaxi Enterprise an appeal to the Third Circuit, which reversed the cancellation of its US registrations of trademarks which the petitioner The Coca-Cola Company had used in India but not in the US.
Successfully represented Barclays in an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which affirmed its opposition against a U.S. intent to use applications filed by Tiger Lily Ventures, Ltd., a British company, to register LEHMAN BROTHERS as a trademark for a planned line of whiskeys and restaurant services.

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

The team at boutique New York firm Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman, PC brings strength to the registration, management, and enforcement of the international portfolios of household names multinationals such as Major League Baseball, J. Crew, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, across sectors ranging from sports, education, and entertainment to publishing, automotive, and financial services. The team is headed by Deborah Squiers, who applies longstanding experience to advising portfolio maintenance and complex overseas oppositions and cancellation proceedings. The practice is supported by trademark authority William Borchard and Joel Karni Schmidt, who specializes in assisting hotels and restaurants, video game and gaming technology companies, and counseling clients on the NFT space. Other key figures include Robert English, who represents clients in intellectual property-related transactional matters, including licensing and joint development agreements; Kieran Doyle, who manages matters in the footwear, food and medical marijuana spaces; sports and entertainment filing strategist Jeffrey Chery; and Joelle Milov, a specialist in domain name disputes who was appointed to partner in January 2023.

Leading lawyers

Joel Karni Schmidt – Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman, PC

Practice head(s):

Deborah Squiers

Other key lawyers:

William Borchard; Joel Karni Schmidt; Robert English; Kieran Doyle; Jeffrey Chery; Joelle Milov

Testimonials

‘This is a wonderful team that was very patient and knowledgeable on legal issues that affect startups and small businesses. This company is made up of a diverse staff that understands the language of their clients and can interpret best their needs and their wants.’

‘Jeffery Chery was outstanding. He was very knowledgeable of the trademark process and was able to quickly assist me in other areas that he forecast would complement my business’s future needs.’

‘This is a great team of professionals. They are very experienced and knowledgeable, professional, responsive and very pleasant to work with. They provide great strategic advice and make the process easier for the clients.’

‘William Borchard at the firm knew exactly how to accomplish what I needed and explained to me very clearly what was possible and what was not. His work was extraordinary and made a huge difference.’

‘The team is very available and cooperative, as well as highly skilled with understanding of commercial needs.’

‘Joel Karni Schmidt – sees the broad picture, understands the client’s commercial needs, good negotiator.’

‘They have significant experience – and sophisticated knowledge – throughout the trademark field. Definitely one of the best.’

Key clients

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

Thompson Hotels LLC (owned by Hyatt Hotels Corporation)

Columbia University

Curtis Instruments, Inc.

Share a Splash Wine Co. (CANNONBALL)

Major League Baseball

Minor League Baseball

J. Crew Group, Inc. and Madewell Inc.

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

Buckle Brands, Inc.

Sony Pictures Entertainment

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

Barclays Bank PLC

Tri State Management/Wetson Restaurant Group

Work highlights

Advising Major League Baseball, the 30 Major League Baseball clubs, and over 70 Minor League Baseball clubs – registering, maintaining, and enforcing their trademark portfolios in the United States and supervising local counsel worldwide.
Advising S&P Global, Inc. / Standard & Poor’s Financial Services – managing and enforcing their portfolio of approximately 2,500 applications and registrations, and assisting with over 125 oppositions and cancellations and trademark litigations in the U.S. as well as in other countries throughout the world.
Representing DKNY and DONNA KARAN in the management of its trademarks and registrations in the U.S., as well as in other countries throughout the world.

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

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