Crowell & Moring
Firm overview:
The breadth of trademark services and litigation credentials offered by full-service firm Crowell & Moring draws a client base that includes household-name brands, global technology companies and top educational institutions. The firm handles all aspects of trademark law, from worldwide portfolio management to litigation and enforcement.
Crowell & Moring is recognised in the rankings for the strengths of both its contentious and non-contentious trademark services. Within the full gamut of brand protection matters, the team’s expertise covers protecting marks against genericide and handling issues relating to non-traditional marks. Lawyers at the firm regularly appear before US federal courts and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), and have handled high-stakes trademark litigations over the past year or so.
Recent notable representations include acting for Little Caesars in a trademark lawsuit involving its Crazy Puffs products in the district court and on appeal, and representing Liberty University in a trademark, right of publicity, and advertising case brought by Jerry Falwell, Jr that settled in 2024.
Team overview:
Crowell’s US trademark team operates from its Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC offices. It includes lawyers who have held senior positions in leading multinational corporations and served at the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Howard Michael (Chicago) and David Ervin (Washington, DC) co-chair the Advertising & Brand Protection Group.
Contacts for top quality advice on trademark matters include Andrew Avsec, who handles some of the world’s leading brands’ trademark needs. Avsec has appeared in over 100 TTAB proceedings, and supports clients with non-contentious matters such as prosecution and global filing strategies.
Experienced trial lawyer Valerie Goo has over 25 years’ experience guiding clients through trademark, trade secret, copyright and other IP disputes as well as commercial litigation matters. Another seasoned litigator, Kent Goss represents clients in ‘bet the company’ disputes and other high-stakes cases.
Key matters:
- Viking Range: Contentious and transactional trademark matters
Demonstrating its global reach and cross-border expertise, Crowell represents leading appliance supplier Viking Range in connection with trademark matters in the US and abroad. This includes approximately 25 worldwide contentious matters, as well advising on transactions.
Howard Michael is the lead partner, supported by counsel Kristen Downer and Emily Kappers.
- Molson Coors Brewing Company: Trademark clearance work
Crowell represents Molson Coors, which produces beers such as Coors Light, Miller Lite and Carling, in connection with trademark clearance work in the US. Deploying its breadth of expertise, the team also advises the client on copyright matters.
Michael is the lead partner, with the team including Virginia Wolk Marino (partner) and Megan Michaels (counsel).
- Stone Brewing v Molson Coors Brewing Company
Valerie Goo was trial counsel in this high-profile trademark infringement case defending MillerCoors, a subsidiary of Molson Coors, and maker of Keystone Light beer. Stone Brewing sued Molson Coors in 2018 alleging trademark infringement, trademark dilution and unfair competition, seeking damages and disgorgement of Molson Coors’ profits from the sale of Keystone beers since 2017.
Goo and the team were brought in after the close of discovery to serve as trial counsel. After a 3-week trial, the jury awarded Stone Brewing less than 10% of the damages sought at trial. The matter has concluded.
Clients:
ATP Athlétique ET Thérapeutique Pharma, Automated Pet Care Products (d/b/a Whisker), Crown Food Service Equipment, Idealab, Liberty University, Little Caesars Enterprises, Newly Weds Foods, Molson Coors, oneworld Alliance, Sallie Mae Bank, Shred-it, Stericycle, The United States Federal Reserve, Viking Range
