Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman Top Ranked in 2024 Edition of WTR 1000
The 2024 World Trademark Review 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals has again awarded Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman (CLL) its highest ranking – the Gold Band – for its national and New York trademark practice in both Enforcement and Litigation, and Prosecution and Strategy. Sixteen CLL attorneys were recognized as leading trademark practitioners.
The WTR 1000 focuses exclusively on trademark practice and is widely recognized as the “definitive 'go-to' resource for those seeking world-class legal trademark expertise.” About the rankings, the WTR 1000 notes:
Firms and individuals in the gold band are those that attract the most positive comments from sources and undertake the most sophisticated work. We have identified them as the crème de la crème; their success often hinges on reputations established over lengthy periods of time, something which enables them to secure the most high-profile, big-ticket work from the most prestigious of clients.
In published comments, CLL was touted as “an undisputed leader in the trademark space” from “the quality of its clientele to the calibre of its practitioners.” The WTR praised the firm’s attorneys, noting “[f]or bullet-proof prosecution strategies and hard-hitting enforcement, few firms across the United States offer as well-stocked a bench as the New York boutique.”
About CLL’s recognized attorneys, the WTR noted:
The trademark group is headed by masterful portfolio manager Deborah Squiers who brings her more than 28 years’ experience to patrons across an innumerable range of industries. ‘Deborah’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. The combination of her professional expertise and deep insight into specific industries is truly impressive.’ The firm boasts a robust roster of savvy and strategic prosecutors including Mary Donovan, Robert English, Lynn Fruchter, Meichelle MacGregor, Joel Karni Schmidt and WTR 1000 newcomer Jeffrey Chery, a former USPTO examiner. The 30-year veteran Donovan is a force to be reckoned with for her following, routinely making their business goals her priority. There are few things in the trademark arena she cannot handle, from routine maintenance to global enforcement programmes and UDRP proceedings. She is also regularly called upon to supply guidance on IP transactions. Of English, a patron remarks, “Bob’s advice on complex trademark licence issues is always insightful. He is knowledgeable, practical and patient – a pleasure to work with. Cowan’s fees are reasonable and turnarounds are swift.” Fruchter has four decades of expertise in licensing and global portfolio management. Her skill in navigating cross-jurisdictional trademark law is unparalleled. Executive committee member MacGregor counsels businesses across a wide range of industries and issues, from prosecution and filing work to trademark infringement claims. She heads Cowan’s participation in the Amazon IP Accelerator programme, one of only 11 participating US outfits. She has filed more than 300 trademark applications through the programme. “Joel is a highly competent professional in all USPTO matters. He is also skilled in negotiating co-existence agreements and supporting in alleged infringement matters covering all kind of IP rights. Joel is highly qualified, has a hands-on approach and is a skilled IP practitioner whose work always satisfies.” “Jeff Chery is a strong trademark practitioner who gets to know his clients’ portfolios. He has an excellent knowledge of the US Trademark Office practice.” Bridging the contentious/non-contentious divide are Maryann Licciardi and Adam Siegartel. Across virtually every industry area, Licciardi delivers comprehensive and effective trademark counsel, supporting the commercial objectives through strategic portfolio management and penetrating enforcement. She works alongside Schmidt at the TTAB for J Crew and Madewell, and links up with Mary Kevlin to protect the rights of the MLB and MiLB. Kevlin has handled an enormous number of USPTO proceedings over her 35 years in practice. Very active at the TTAB, she succeeded in having the board declare the World Series to have “a very high level of fame” back in 2017. Capable of seeing litigation through to conclusion and immensely experienced in worldwide portfolio management, the versatile Siegartel does it all for his clientele. Along with Squiers and Kieran Doyle, he is a leader in the legislatively fraught world of cannabis trademarks. Doyle serves as [the firm’s] chair and has deep experience fighting trademark and product labelling disputes across federal and state courts. He grounds his contentious expertise in firm knowledge of the registration process – portfolio names include Qurate Retail, Twenty-Six Designs and Samuel, Son & Co. On the latter matter he is joined by WTR 1000 newcomer Joelle Milov, who earns rave reviews from her patrons. “Joelle delivers consistently outstanding work in the complex areas of trademark prosecution and dispute resolution. Joelle’s diligence, expertise and precision have been instrumental in safeguarding clients’ intellectual property rights, and her unwavering commitment to excellence has been truly inspiring. Joelle has displayed an exceptional ability to navigate intricate legal landscapes, skilfully negotiate resolutions, and ultimately secure favourable outcomes. Her professional acumen, combined with her keen understanding of industry, has made her an invaluable asset.” Other litigators at the outfit include Eric Shimanoff, Jonathan King, Richard Mandel and Maria Scungio, who joined the team in 2023. Shimanoff sits on the firm’s executive committee and has nearly 20 years’ experience in the trademark profession. His practice covers all bases, but he is particularly adroit going to bat at the TTAB, where he routinely enforces the rights of the Empire State Building, Barclays Capital and Columbia University. In district court, he takes on Meta Platforms for New Ventures Services. Of King, patrons remark, “Jonathan is one of the best trademark attorneys I have ever worked with. He is very knowledgeable on legal aspects of trademark litigation. Moreover, he is very sophisticated in the area of surveys, and knows more about proper survey design and common survey errors than, not only most other attorneys, but also many survey experts. It does not hurt that he is very bright and hardworking.” “Richard is a strategic litigator, upon whom his clients have relied for years. His work product is consistently top notch, as is that of his team.” Scungio has advised a wide array of clientele, from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups, taking on portfolios reaching nearly 30,000 marks. She is also a skilful disputer and has represented clients in innumerable industries at the TTAB and in district court.
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WTR 1000 (World Trademark Review 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals) is published by Law Business Research. They focus exclusively on trademark practices and practitioners. They undertake an exhaustive qualitative research project to identify the firms and individuals that are deemed outstanding in this critical area of practice. When identifying the leading firms, factors such as depth of expertise, market presence and the level of work on which they are typically instructed are all taken into account, alongside positive peer and client feedback. More information about their methodology is available here.
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