Tamar Duvdevani > DLA Piper LLP (US) > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

DLA Piper LLP (US)‘s advertising litigation group unites the firm’s knowledge in trade mark, copyright and media to advise multinational clients on litigation involving consumer products and retail. The team focuses on false advertising and regulatory issues, Lanham Act cases, trade mark and patent litigation. It is particularly well-versed in cross-border IP disputes and IP issues involving the federal government. Tamar Duvdevani leads the team from New York alongside Gina Durham and centers her practice on false litigation advertising cases and right-of-publicity issues in front of federal courts. Melissa Reinckens resides in San Diego and is well-versed on false advertising, trade mark, trade dress and trade secret disputes. Kevin Fee sits in Washington DC and is the go-to for false advertising cases before trial and appellate courts.

Regarded for its ability to provide ‘creative solutions’ and their ‘in-depth knowledge’, DLA Piper LLP (US) operates for a panoply of clients in relation to opposition and cancellation proceedings, right of publicity disputes and trademark issues arising from emerging technologies. Leading from the firm’s New York office, Tamar Duvdevani routinely represents clients before the Second Circuit and district courts, covering a diverse host of trademarks, trade dress and digital media issues. San Francisco’s Gina Durham demonstrates prowess handling matters on a global scale, particularly in relation to emerging tech, while San Diego’s Melissa Reinckens is notably capable in the false advertising sphere. Kevin Fee, who is based in the firm’s Washington DC office, is regularly entrusted by financial institutions, retailers and consumer products manufacturers.

The trademark, copyright and media group at DLA Piper LLP (US) utilizes its bench lawyers to advise on high-profile copyright claims involving household names in media, entertainment and tech. Their worldwide platform enables the firms expertise to coordinate copyright defense and enforcement activities globally. San Francisco partner Gina Durham leads the firm as a trial lawyer, representing tech clients in high-profile copyright disputes regarding emerging technologies. In New York, Tamar Duvdevani acts as US Chair of the firms copyright practice, bringing her expertise as a trial attorney to disputes involving trademarks and trade dress, copyrights, rights of publicity, false advertising, and digital media issues. Kevin Fee, based in Washington, specializes in high-stakes copyright and trademark litigation, while Rachel Fertig applies her experience in the media industry and US Copyright Office to work on generative AI cases.

The practice at DLA Piper LLP (US) is ‘exceptionally business-minded’ and is well equipped to represent its well-known, sector-spanning clients in trade secret litigation. The team is helmed by a host of practitioners, namely experienced trial attorneys Paul Steadman and Matthew Satchwell who both work in Chicago; commercial disputes practitioners Leon Medzhibovsky and Tamar Duvdevani who are based in the New York hub, Washington DC-based Sean Cunningham and San Francisco-based Gina Durham. Former co-head Rajiv Dharnidharka left the team in September 2024 along with Jeanette Barzelay.

Counting names such as Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Hyatt Hotels Corporation among its key client roster, DLA Piper LLP (US) is highly experienced in relation to global portfolio management, licensing and anti-counterfeiting matters. Tamar Duvdevani steers the practice from New York, while in Chicago, Keith Medansky frequently handles matters pertaining to trademark prosecution, licensing and strategy development and is a strong choice for representing educational institutions. Also in Chicago is Michael Geller, who possesses extensive experience in advising multinational brands and international celebrities, with Gina Durham contributing her knowledge of trademark issues arising from the tech, media and retail sectors. San Francisco’s Heather Dunn handles a diverse multitude of brand development, protection and enforcement. Over in Washington DC, Sigrid Neilson draws upon her media and entertainment experience to handle digital music licensing and portfolio management for sizeable brands.