North America - United States • Intellectual property

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

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With an established presence in representing clients in the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, federal circuit courts of appeal and various other tribunals, Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP's extensive litigation experience enables it to operate for global brands such as Under Armour and Sony Corporation. The practice is jointly led by Naresh Kilaru, managing partner Erika Harmon Arner and chair Anand Sharma. Kilaru’s capabilities encompass disputes arising from computer source code, product packaging, and gray-market goods, while key contact Danny Awdeh, who leads the firm’s trademark, copyright, and advertising group, demonstrates an outstanding knowledge of litigation concerning trademark infringement, counterfeiting, unfair competition, dilution, and false advertising. B. Brett Heavner’s expansive expertise incorporates all aspects of domestic and foreign trademark protection, and Douglas Rettew capitalizes on his immense experience in US Court of Appeals cases to count blue-chip global names in his client roster. Mark Sommers frequently handles matters pertaining to trademarks, intermediary liability, and rights of publicity, with Morgan E. Smith contributing her prowess in injunctive relief and offensive and defensive discovery. All named lawyers are based in Washington DC.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team of Doug Rettew and Patrick Rodgers were great to work with. Doug was highly engaged at every step of our trademark litigation. Patrick is very talented at brief writing and discovery planning.'

  • ‘Doug Rettew and his team are always ready to assist with any IP issue. Very knowledgeable with complex general IP/trademark, litigation, and copyright issues.’

  • ‘Doug (Chip) Rettew is an superb litigator and all-around trademark expert. He has the client's best interest in mind at all times, and, like a chess player, is strategic with long term vision.’

  • ‘The team provides strong, practical strategic advice based on a vast amount of experience.’

  • ‘Mark Sommers has been supporting our trademark legal risk management for almost a decade and has constantly delivered strategic advice and brilliant arguments to help us secure winning results.’

Key clients

  • Biogen
  • Bridgestone
  • Caterpillar
  • Head
  • Hologic
  • IBM
  • InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
  • LG Electronics
  • Marriott Corporation
  • Nestlé
  • Sony Corporation
  • Subaru Corporation
  • TD Bank
  • Under Armour, Inc.

Work highlights

  • Represented Caterpillar, and was successful in the cancellation of Puma’s registration for the PROCAT mark, which was used for a line of children’s soccer cleats.
  • Filed a successful opposition at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) against an application for SONISTREAM on behalf of Sony Group Corporation.
  • Represented Under Armour in a trademark infringement, unfair competition, and trademark dilution litigation against Armorina’s unauthorized use of the ARMORINA name and mark for women’s athleisure apparel and accessories.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Naresh Kilaru, Erika Harmon Arner, Anand Sharma

Other key lawyers

Danny Awdeh, B. Brett Heavner, Douglas Rettew, Mark Sommers, Morgan E. Smith