Gibson Dunn & Crutcher

Firm overview:

Gibson Dunn maintains a strong presence in the US trademark market, anchored in its well-known litigation pedigree and cross-disciplinary bench. The firm is regularly instructed on matters involving complex brand protection, cross-border enforcement and challenges arising at the intersection of trademarks, advertising and online commerce.

Supported by its national trial practice, the group is frequently engaged where disputes carry significant commercial or reputational stakes, and it continues to attract leading consumer, technology, entertainment and luxury clients seeking coordinated protection strategies across multiple jurisdictions.

The trademark practice draws on a deep national bench, with practitioners experienced in federal court disputes, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) proceedings, online enforcement and multi-forum litigation.

Team overview:

The team is noted for its ability to manage cases requiring swift injunctive relief as well as long-running matters involving likelihood-of-confusion, dilution and false-association claims. Close collaboration with the firm’s appellate, privacy, media and commercial litigation groups enables the team to take on complex matters that blend trademark law with emerging digital-platform and marketing issues.

Howard Hogan is a central figure in the practice, recognised for his work on high-visibility trademark and unfair competition disputes and for advising clients in sectors facing rapid brand-related risk.

Ilissa Samplin brings extensive trial and appellate experience, regularly appearing in contentious matters involving brand protection and online infringement.

Kate Dominguez, co-chair of the firm’s IP department, advises on strategic trademark portfolios and oversees matters that combine litigation, licensing and broader commercial considerations.

The wider team includes practitioners across New York, Washington, DC, California and Texas who support enforcement, clearance, brand strategy and litigation for major domestic and international companies.

Key matters:

• Dewberry Group v Dewberry Engineers

Gibson Dunn secured a notable victory in its representation of Dewberry Group, successfully obtaining a unanimous US Supreme Court ruling that vacated a US$43 million disgorgement award issued in a long-running trademark dispute.

The court held that profits attributable to legally distinct affiliates cannot be recovered from a single named defendant, reinforcing corporate-separateness principles in the trademark-remedies context. The decision clarifies the limits of disgorgement under the Lanham Act and is expected to influence how plaintiffs structure infringement suits involving corporate groups.

Clients:

Dewberry Group