Ross Weisman is the head of the advertising, marketing and promotions group at Kirkland & Ellis. He counsels a variety of clients in virtually all aspects of advertising and promotions law, including: reviewing advertising and marketing copy; counseling advertisers with respect to substantiation for claims made in advertisements; drafting and negotiating advertising, public relations and media agreements; advising clients with respect to rights of publicity, false endorsement and unfair competition issues in advertisements; drafting various release forms for national advertisers, including, without limitation, releases to use names, photos, testimonials, property or intangible property in advertisements; and assisting clients with Federal Trade Commission and State Attorney General inquiries. He also has extensive experience defending and challenging advertising claims in federal court under 43(a) of the Lanham Act (and working with the experts who conduct the consumer perception surveys so critical to these cases), as well as before the National Advertising Division (NAD) and National Advertising Review Board (NARB) of the BBB National Programs, Inc.
North America - United States • Media, technology and telecoms
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Kirkland & Ellis LLP offers a robust advertising and marketing litigation offering, covering investigation defense, representation in false and misleading advertising claims, and defending competitive advertising matters. The practice is particularly adept at handling IP disputes and its expertise makes it a go-to firm for high-profile clients across sectors. Chicago-based Ross Weisman has expertise in all aspects of advertising and promotion law but is particularly regarded for his vast experience defending and challenging Lanham Act cases in federal court, as well as representing clients before the NAD and NARB. Also based in Chicago is Robin McCue who focuses on IP litigation, and more specifically, trademark and false advertising litigation. She has substantial courtroom experience bringing and defending matters before the NAD. Other key members of the team include Gregg LoCascio and Richard Cunningham, both of whom are based in Washington DC – LoCascio is recognized for his IP work, in which he is regularly involved in trial cases and preliminary injunctions, while Cunningham concentrates on antitrust and consumer protection law, often securing clearance for deals from the FTC and DOJ. Robyn Bladow, based in Los Angeles, is noted for defending class actions and false advertising claims. In between Dallas and Washington DC, Olivia Adendorff is an active member of the group and has amassed experience in FTC investigations, private antitrust litigation, and class actions. Allison Buchner, based in Los Angeles, brings to the team trademark and copyright expertise, and has represented clients before federal and state courts nationwide. She is noted for aiding clients ‘through complex issues with professionalism and care.’
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Their advice was exceptional in terms of quality and timeliness.’
‘The team was highly proficient and efficient.’
‘They walked us through each step of the process with care, and made sure we were up-to-date with any developments.’
‘Instrumental in the success of the project.’
'We worked mainly with Allison Buchner, an exceptional lawyer. She was always there for us, taking us through complex issues with professionalism and care.'
Key clients
- Allergan
- Charter Communications
- Chosen Foods
- ClassPass
- Colgate-Palmolive
- Dyson
- Eli Lilly & Company
- GoodRx
- Handi-Foil
- Hello Products
- IC Holdings
- JUUL Labs
- Pete and Gerry’s Organics
- S.C. Johnson & Son
- Woodstream
- Young Living Essential Oils
- ZenBusiness
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading lawyers
Robyn Bladow is a litigation partner in the Los Angeles office who has handled numerous complex commercial disputes in United States and foreign courts as well as arbitration matters. She has represented and advised major corporate clients regarding contract disputes, unfair business practices and other business tort claims, consumer class actions, product liability claims, bankruptcy matters, intellectual property claims and employment disputes. Over the course of Robyn's career, she has increasingly focused her practice on defending clients against consumer and other class actions. She has been an integral member of multiple trial and arbitration teams.
Robin McCue is a partner in Kirkland’s Chicago office who specializes in advertising and trademark law. Robin has extensive courtroom experience on such matters, and has considerable experience litigating advertising matters in the context of requests for expedited relief. In addition, Robin also has extensive experience at BBB National Programs National Advertising Division (“NAD”) and has been the attorney primarily responsible for both bringing and defending actions before the NAD. Robin regularly counsels clients in the areas of trademark and advertising and has primary responsibility for maintaining, protecting and enforcing clients' trademark portfolios at the PTO. Robin also has extensive experience in handling the damages side of intellectual property litigation. She has been the attorney primarily responsible for litigating multi-million dollar damages claims on advertising and trademark litigation matters, including working extensively with damages experts.