Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner
Firm overview:
IP boutique Finnegan is a top choice for brand protection; the team has filed more than 7,000 trademark applications globally over the past five years. The firm partners with clients at every stage of the trademark lifecycle, from selection, clearance and prosecution through to watch services and litigation. Indicating a client base with global needs, Finnegan routinely files before the European Union Intellectual Property Office, the UK Intellectual Property Office and the US Patent and Trademark Office.
The team regularly appears in contentious trademark proceedings, and has filed/defended nearly 400 oppositions and cancellations over the past five years, and handled more than 75 litigations.
In September 2025, Finnegan launched an artificial intelligence (AI) practice, AI + Finnegan. The firm advises on trademark infringement and dilution concerns arising from AI-generated content, and the clearance and availability of AI-created marks, among other things. Lead partner Anna Chauvet told WIPR that the launch “recognises that we have a synergy across our legal disciplines that’s required, quite frankly, to address AI, because it does span so many of these areas”.
Team overview:
Finnegan has over 30 attorneys practising solely or primarily trademark law, supported by dedicated trademark staff. The practice includes portfolio managers and in-house investigators, offering clients specialist expertise to suit their needs.
Douglas Rettew co-leads the litigation and trial team, with his practice focused on trademark, false advertising, and unfair competition litigation, trials, appeals and disputes. Rettew is a highly acclaimed attorney with first-chair jury and bench trial and appellate experience, known for taking on and winning complex disputes.
Danny Awdeh is described as “experienced” and “practical” by an industry counterpart. Also noted for his courtroom successes, Awdeh provides strategic portfolio management and counselling for US and international clients with extensive portfolios, and has been involved in many global brand launches, licensing deals, and other significant IP transactions.
Key matters:
- Sony: TTAB proceeding
Finnegan represented Sony in an opposition before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in June 2025, regarding an application for the mark ‘Sonicreative’.
- Subaru of America: TTAB proceeding
Finnegan is listed as counsel for Subaru of America in a TTAB proceeding in which the parties reached an agreement and two trademark registrations for ‘Subiworks’ were withdrawn.
Clients:
Sony, Subaru of America
