Trademarks play a critical role in safeguarding your brand and differentiating your products and services from those of competitors. They are also valuable business assets that can generate revenue and help you grow market share. Sterne Kessler guides clients through the trademark lifecycle to build, protect, and enforce strong global trademark portfolios. Drawing from decades of experience advising world-renowned brands, our trademark lawyers use a business-focused approach to help you drive maximum value from your trademark portfolio and protect against infringers and other threats to your business.
Sterne Kessler works with clients to develop, maintain, and protect strong brands and distinctive trademarks globally. Our comprehensive trademark strategies are structured to give our clients a competitive advantage and help them achieve full market potential. We provide full-service trademark solutions, including portfolio development and trademark clearance, filing, prosecution, and maintenance. We also counsel on global filing strategies, licensing and brand agreements, brand audits, acquisitions, and due diligence. With decades of experience, we are well-positioned to meet the needs of companies seeking to protect their trademarks worldwide.Effective Strategists
Our deep experience across the trademark lifecycle means we efficiently deliver cost-effective, high-quality solutions to our clients. We leverage our team of trademark attorneys and legal professionals, including trademark specialists and paralegals with competitive billing rates, to offer flexible staffing solutions that align with your business and budget requirements. We take a proactive and personalized approach that considers your business objectives, marketing goals, industry position, and budget to craft the most effective portfolio strategy for you. We also offer real-time electronic reporting on your trademark portfolio and budget management for all matters.Protecting Brands Globally
We develop global trademark portfolio strategies for some of the most well-known brands around the world. We represent 400+ clients across various industries, including consumer products and electronics, fashion and luxury goods, food and beverage, internet and e-commerce, life sciences, technology, sports, entertainment and media, transportation, and medical devices. Some of our clients include Volkswagen, The Washington Post, Cirque du Soleil, Thule, Paul Reed Smith Guitars, and Lamborghini among many others. We help you prioritize resources and make strategic filing decisions on domestic and foreign trademark protection. We also advise on other forms of IP protection to enhance market position and strengthen your portfolio, including design patents, trade dress, and copyright.Business Focused Counsel
We understand the revenue potential of your trademarks and collaborate with in-house legal, marketing, and business teams to advise on maximizing corporate value through trademark and brand assets. We negotiate strategic global branding and licensing initiatives and co-existence agreements as well as conduct due diligence in corporate transactions.Strategic Counseling and Portfolio Development Solutions
Our trademark counseling and portfolio development services include:- Federal, state, and foreign trademark registration
- Global trademark portfolio management
- Trademark licensing
- Trade dress protection and non-traditional trademarks (shape, sound, color, scent, motion)
- Proper trademark usage guidelines and review of product literature, labeling, websites
- Negotiation of IP transactions and due diligence
- Trademark valuations
- Branding guidelines and programs
Awards & Rankings
- Recommended for Trademark Prosecution in District of Columbia, Managing IP Stars 2023
- Recognized for Trademark Prosecution and Strategy, and Enforcement and Litigation, United States, DC Metro Area, World Trademark 1000, 2012 – 2024
- Recommended for Trademark Non-Contentious (National), WIPR Insights USA Trademark Rankings, 2023
Leadership
Monica Riva Talley
Director