King & Spalding

Firm overview:

Full-service firm King & Spalding handles trademark matters for large-scale, international brands with global ambitions. The firm represents its clients’ interests in the full range of trademark matters, from selection and clearance, through to registration, enforcement, and licensing. Clients have included Coca-Cola, Rolex, and US multinational home improvement company Home Depot.

With over 25 offices worldwide, King & Spalding is well placed to handle complex, multi-jurisdictional trademark disputes, and is a go-to choice for contentious matters. The team has particular strengths in appellate work and arbitration, as well as representing clients before the federal courts and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

Team overview:

First-chair trial lawyer Kathleen McCarthy is one of the team’s top assets, with over 30 years’ experience. McCarthy focuses on trademark, copyright, design, advertising and internet law. In addition to her litigation practice, she directs international and US trademark prosecution programmes, and counsels clients on a broad range of IP-related matters.

Key matters:

• The RealReal: Trademark infringement dispute with Chanel

King & Spalding represents online marketplace The RealReal in a dispute with French fashion giant Chanel.

The litigation concerns Chanel’s claims that The RealReal sold counterfeit Chanel bags on its website, purported to be genuine. In October 2025, counsel from King & Spalding told a New York court that the parties had been unable to reach a settlement agreement.

The firm said that The RealReal “remains open to a reasonable settlement that reflects the legal risks both parties face and is workable for both Chanel’s and TRR’s businesses”.

Chanel’s claims include trademark infringement, counterfeiting, unfair competition and false endorsement.

Clients:

The RealReal