Deborah K. Squiers

Debbie concentrates her practice on intellectual property with particular emphasis on trademark enforcement and litigation and trademark counseling and prosecution (US and worldwide).

She counsels clients in the financial, entertainment, sports, beverage, food and restaurant industries, among others.

Honors & Recognitions

"Deborah Squiers is held in the upmost regard by her clients for her trademark enforcement, prosecution and litigation work. She is described as a 'strategic, responsive and clear' lawyer." 2024 Who’s Who Legal: IP

“[Trademark] Practice head Deborah Squiers leverages her vast expertise in handling portfolio work as well as opposition and cancellation proceedings to assist household name brands.” 2024 The Legal 500

“’Deborah [Squier]’s tireless efforts, comprehensive knowledge and attention to detail have played a pivotal role in protecting her clients’ intellectual property rights, setting a high standard for legal prowess. Throughout the entire process, Deborah has demonstrated a remarkable aptitude for navigating complex legal scenarios, adeptly brokering solutions, and consistently securing advantageous results…’” 2024 WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals

"Deborah Squiers excels at advising domestic and international clients on a broad range of complex trademark matters pertaining to litigation, enforcement and portfolio management." 2022 Who’s Who Legal: IP

"Deborah Squiers received 'enthusiastic commendations from peers and clients alike'; 'gets the highest rating we could give for an outside counsel...efficient and effective in managing our large trademark portfolio [and] also cost-conscious and often comes up with cost-saving strategies for our filings.'” 2023 WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals 

Named as Notable Practitioner by Chambers USA 2022; Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman awarded distinction for Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets in New York

"Distinguished head of trademarks Deborah Squiers is 'supremely efficient and effective at managing large global portfolios' and 'brilliant at registering difficult marks.'” 2022 WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals 

“Deborah Squiers is a top-notch trademark lawyer with vast knowledge of the field and insightful perspectives on issues as they arise.” The Legal 500

“An outstanding lawyer who gives wise, clear and practical counsel and provides great value for money.” 2021 WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals

"Reflecting on their experience with trademark and copyright ace Deborah Squiers, one source comments: 'She meets our needs at every step of our journey and has provided vital support as we have dramatically increased our revenue. She is highly responsive and thorough, but always works within our budget'.” 2019 WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals

"Thorough, inventive and reliable, Deborah Squiers always goes out of her way to provide top-notch service, with a sense of humour and an appreciation for business needs." "She has an up-to-the-minute understanding of all issues in this area of the law and gives actionable and reasoned advice." 2018 WTR 1000 - The World's Leading Trademark Professionals

• Who’s Who Legal, IP – Trademarks (Law Business Research Ltd.) (2020 to present, including Thought Leader – USA – IP – Trademarks, 2023 to present)

• WTR 1000 - The World's Leading Trademark Professionals, Prosecution and Strategy, including New York Gold Band (2018 to present)

• Expert Guides (Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC) for Trademarks and Women in Business Law (2018 to present)

• IP Stars (“Trademark Star” - Managing IP 2016 to present)
• The Legal 500 United States for Trademarks (2016)
• The Legal 500 -Intellectual Property - Trademarks, non-contentious 
• New York “Super Lawyers” Top Women Lawyers for Intellectual Property 
• New York “Super Lawyers” in Intellectual Property

Community & Professional Activities

• Practising Law Institute Fundamentals of Trademark Law in the Global Marketplace (Chair 2017-present; Speaker 2015-present) Link to PLI profile.

• International Trademark Association, ADR Committee (Member 2018)

• Fordham Fashion Law Clinic, Volunteer (2016-present)

•  Featured Volunteer, International Trademark Association Bulletin, August 1, 2012, Vol. 67 No. 14

• International Trademark Association, Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition Committee (Member 1998-present; Chair 2011-12; Vice-Chair, 2010-11)

Experience

Head of the Trademark Group

Debbie has tried several cases in just the last few years before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and argued before the Federal Circuit.  By way of example, these include a nearly decade long concurrent use proceeding involving the mark DELMONICO’S, Southwestern Management, Inc. v. Emeril’s Food of Love Productions, LLC (counsel to Emeril’s/Emeril Lagasse; argued and won on appeal before Federal Circuit).

Some notable clients include the worldwide trademark work for S&P Global Inc. (S&P and Standard & Poor’s), the worldwide contested trademark proceedings for Sony Pictures / Columbia Pictures, the Estate of George Carlin, Chef Emeril Lagasse and his restaurants, Trebco (WUBBANUB pacifiers), The PALM restaurant group, Alicart Restaurant Group (CARMINE’S and VIRGIL’S BBQ restaurants), the Wetson Restaurant Group (DALLAS BBQ and TONY’S DI NAPOLI restaurants), Destileria Serralles (DON Q rum), National Audubon Society, The New York Racing Association, Glanbia Nutritionals/The Isopure Company (ISOPURE and NATURE’S BEST nutritional supplements).

Cases have included protection of the marks include MASERATI and Trident Designs, DELMONICO, DON Q Rum, NATURE’S BEST and ISOPURE.

She has been involved with several litigations about concurrent use claims relating to restaurants in different geographic locations, including a significant victory before the TTAB (affirmed by the Court of Appeals for the federal Circuit) representing Chef Emeril Lagasse in a concurrent use dispute over the DELMONICO restaurant mark.

She is the current Chair of the Practicing Law Institute’s Basic Trademark Law program. Link to PLI profile.

Prior Employment

New York Law Journal, Newspaper Reporter (1988-91)

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