Banner Witcoff
Firm overview:
IP boutique firm Banner Witcoff has been growing its trademark practice steadily, and has built up a client roster of big-name brands, including some long-term relationships. From its four US offices, the firm manages more than 20,000 active trademarks in over 220 countries on behalf of over 1,000 clients. The firm takes a holistic view of rights protection, aiming to prosecute robust marks that withstand the test of litigation.
Managing global trademark portfolios is a particular forte of the team; at least 60 of the firm’s clients have trademark matters in more than 20 countries. Banner Witcoff has established a strong network of associate law firms throughout the world and has assembled a team that is well versed in the differing nuances of multiple major jurisdictions. Trade dress protection is a particular area of strength.
In litigation, the team has had successes in going head-to-head with well-established, larger law firms. In 2024, the firm represented clients in over 125 proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
Team overview:
Banner Witcoff has 115 attorneys in offices in Chicago, Washington, DC, Boston and Portland. Its team turnover is low, with some senior lawyers having been at the firm their entire careers, providing clients with consistency in their portfolio management. Many attorneys are dual-skilled in prosecution and litigation.
Principal shareholder Anna King chairs the firm’s Trademark Committee, and manages large, global trademark portfolios for clients. Her practice includes prosecuting trade dress configurations as well as counselling on trade secret, unfair competition and copyright law, and she also handles contentious registry proceedings and court litigation.
Katie Laatsch Fink is president and principal shareholder at Banner Witcoff and serves on the firm’s board of directors. Fink manages the non-contentious and contentious aspects of trademark portfolios for clients ranging from startups to large corporations, and is an active member of the International Trademark Association (INTA), where she serves on the Famous and Well-Known Marks Committee.
Key matters:
- YETI: Worldwide trademark portfolio management
Indicating the longevity of some of its client relationships, Banner Witcoff has worked with YETI to manage its worldwide trademark portfolio since 2013. YETI sells lifestyle products, including coolers and stainless steel drinkware, and its registered trademarks include ‘Yeti’, ‘Tundra’, and ‘Rambler’, among many others.
The team also represents YETI in patent prosecution, counseling, and IP enforcement and litigation.
Banner Witcoff’s team is principal shareholders Joe Berghammer, Katie Laatsch Fink, Anna King, and Evi Christou; shareholders Janet Lee and Sonia Okolie.
- Playboy: Global trademark portfolio management, litigation work
The team manages the worldwide trademark portfolio of iconic adult entertainment and licensing company Playboy, including prosecution of its trademarks as well as counselling and enforcement.
Principal shareholders Anna King, Katie Laatsch Fink and Heather Smith-Carra; shareholder Janet Lee manage the relationship.
- Toshiba: US trademark portfolio management
In a testament to the quality of its work, Banner Witcoff has played a significant role in helping Japanese multinational conglomerate Toshiba manage its US trademark portfolio, which includes well-known house mark ‘Toshiba’, for more than two decades.
The team is led by principal shareholders Anna King and Heather Smith-Carra.
Clients:
Buc-ee’s, Coulter Ventures d/b/a Rogue Fitness, Playboy, Shure, Sloan Valve Company, Toshiba International, Yeti
