The WTR 1000 focuses exclusively on trademark practice and has firmly established itself as the definitive 'go-to' resource for those seeking world-class legal trademark expertise.
Silver - Firms
Dorsey & Whitney is covered extensively in the WTR 1000 – it is ranked in multiple US states including Colorado, New York, Minnesota and Washington, while also being named to the list of top firms at the national level – and is a major player in trademark practice. One of its many strengths is the ability to handle complex, high-stakes litigations, which is where Seattle-based Mike Keyes comes into play; he co-heads the trial group and is an outstanding advocate in all manner of trademark, copyright and false advertising suits. Recently, he has been working closely with Denver-based colleagues including Charlene Krogh in support of Tee Turtle, for which the team has had huge enforcement success.
Silver - Firms
When it comes to brands practice, the name Dorsey & Whitney carries weight locally, nationally and internationally; the firm is well known for its thought leadership and up-to-the-minute knowledge of everything happening in the trademark, copyright and advertising worlds and it has many popular lawyers whose relationships with in-house teams are close and whose international associate networks are far-reaching. One of these is Denver-based Charlene Krogh, who leads the trademark group. Her current major projects include representing well-known production and post-production entity Company 3 on a rebranding, which includes worldwide title changes and company sale and restructuring-related assignments and creating a comprehensive enforcement strategy for original toys, games and t-shirts company Tee Turtle. This is a client for which she manages all global IP work. “Highly knowledgeable, thorough and responsive” is how sources describe her.
Silver - Firms
“The trademark lawyers at Dorsey & Whitney have an exceptional command of complex international trademark portfolio management and litigation matters; they are true subject matter experts who provide sound and reliable legal advice and invaluable strategic insight. The firm is the ideal fit for companies with a large global presence, who require creative and cost-effective support.” It has experts stationed in many parts of the country including Minnesota, which is the base of operations for Elizabeth Buckingham, Jamie Nafziger, and Jeffrey Cadwell, who all play important leadership roles. Buckingham is a former trademark, copyright and advertising group chair, who continues to set standards of excellence for those coming up in the practice. “She has incredible legal expertise and is adept at handling the most complex matters. She does an extraordinary job advising on enforcement issues and is an invaluable resource for her clients.” She is assisting top boarding school Shattuck-St. Mary’s in all aspects of IP protection, working with colleagues in New York and Hong Kong as part of a well-integrated, detail- and business-focused group. Nafziger is hailed for her thought and practice leadership in the internet and social media space. Cadwell co-chairs Dorsey’s creative industries and video games groups. His patrons include a music management organisation that looks after many household-name acts, which he represents alongside WTR 1000 newcomer and copyright and music expert Evan Everist, a rising star who was promoted to partner in January 2022.
Silver - Firms
Recommended - Firms
Bronze - Firms: prosecution and strategy
Bronze - Firms: enforcement and litigation
The Greater China IP practice at Dorsey & Whitney is tightly interwoven with its extensive global network. The service in Hong Kong is best known for its comprehensive and holistic approach, encompassing everything from brand formulation, maintenance, management and protection. The elite team of IP lawyers is headed by Janet Wong, who provides bespoke IP solutions to multinational corporations operating in both China and Hong Kong. Entrusted by Mayo Clinic, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery, World Trade Centres Association and Samsonite, Wong can always be relied on when it comes to building cross-border brand protection schemes and crafting domain name and anti-counterfeiting strategies. Working alongside her comes Lilian Shi, a mainland China and Hong Kong-qualified lawyer. She has been practising Chinese IP law since the 1990s. She operates flawlessly on both contentious and non-contentious fronts.
Recommended - Firms
Dorsey & Whitney has built up vast institutional trademark law experience, having practised at the cutting edge of US and international brand protection and management over a long period. Its professionals – who form a collaborative and well-integrated inter-office and cross-border group – stay right on top of all the latest legal and business developments impacting trademarks, copyrights and advertising, and serve up contemporary advice whatever issues their clients are faced with. Two of its top experts are based in Utah – brothers Grant Foster and Brett Foster, who cover a huge amount of ground for their patrons, including several outdoor equipment manufacturers and others which they have represented for decades. Ozonics has instructed them on all its IP matters for 20-plus years and relies on them for strategic advice and to prioritise what intellectual property they should invest in. Vigorous in enforcing rights, they are regularly enlisted for competitor litigations and recently successfully handled a trademark infringement, false advertising and breach of contract case for SnapLock Industries against Swisstrax.
Silver - Firms: prosecution and strategy
Silver - Firms: enforcement and litigation
Dorsey & Whitney prides itself on ensuring clients get the most out of their IP assets. Employing a coordinated, integrated approach across its multi-state offices, the firm’s trademark team helps its clientele to enforce and defend their IP rights with a worldwide reach. Co-head of the IP group is New York-based litigator Bruce Ewing. “Bruce is a jack-of-all-trades. He is an excellent attorney for all matters: he is knowledgeable and detailed, whether it be a breaching licensee, a trademark question, M&A matter, an employee-related matter or something else. If it is not an area that Bruce specialises in, he is always quick to loop in one of his colleagues who can assist. Bruce is always quick to respond, and he also makes himself available around all schedules and needs. I would highly recommend Bruce and his firm for trademarks and all other matters.” Partner Sarah Robertson serves as co-head of the creative industries group and brings over two decades of experience to her wide-ranging trademark practice. Also admitted in Canada, Robertson has helped numerous Canadian businesses enter the US market. Brand specialist Fara Sunderji brings keen insight to a wide-ranging client roster, which includes the designer Narciso Rodriguez and several pharmaceutical companies, as well as a bank and an alcoholic beverage manufacturer. Clients praise her legal advice as “excellent, timely and cost effective. Her approach is practical and adds value. Fara and her group at Dorsey are knowledgeable and responsive. We are pleased with their strong legal expertise and practical experience.”
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