Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks

Firm overview:

Wolf Greenfield’s Trademark & Copyright Practice delivers comprehensive, business-focused services for clients seeking to protect and maximise the value of their brands. The team is adept at managing complex portfolios and understanding industry-specific challenges across sectors including technology, life sciences, consumer products, and entertainment. In 2024 alone, the firm filed over 1,500 trademark applications worldwide, performed 900+ searches, and currently manages more than 22,000 active trademarks.

The practice provides end-to-end support, from clearance, prosecution, and portfolio management to strategic enforcement, including federal court and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) litigation, trade dress disputes, and domain name recoveries. International coordination ensures consistent protection of global brand assets. Innovative portfolio management tools and client-focused workflows streamline processes while reducing costs. Led by Douglas Wolf and Christina Licursi, the team combines technical expertise, litigation experience, and strategic counsel to safeguard high-value brands, ensuring that IP functions as a tangible commercial and competitive asset for clients across the globe.

Team overview:

Douglas Wolf, co-chair of the Trademark & Copyright Practice, brings extensive experience in both prosecution and enforcement of high-value US and international trademarks. He guides clients through complex portfolio management, clearance, and contentious proceedings, with a focus on strategic protection of brands across technology, life sciences, and consumer products sectors.

Working closely with him, Christina Licursi, co-chair of the Trademark & Copyright Practice, advises clients on global trademark strategy, portfolio development, and enforcement matters. She regularly handles trademark prosecution, TTAB litigation, trade dress disputes, and domain name recoveries, combining technical expertise and practical counsel to help clients maximise the commercial value of their brands.

Counsel Robert Maldonado is a renowned litigator, with experience at both trial court and appellate court levels as well as before the TTAB. Maldonado’s work highlights include his successful representation of Thom Browne, and he manages large patent and trademark portfolios for his clients.

Key matters:

• Wayfair: Trademark portfolio management

The firm manages Wayfair’s comprehensive trademark portfolio of over 500 marks, providing prosecution services and strategic branding guidance for domestic and international matters. The team oversees enforcement across the portfolio, including monitoring, cease and desist actions, TTAB proceedings, and online brand protection, ensuring Wayfair’s trademarks are actively defended in line with its global business and innovative brand strategy. Key team members include Christina Licursi, Daniel Rudoy, and Amanda Slade.

• NOBULL: Trademark prosecution and strategic branding guidance

The firm provides full trademark prosecution and strategic branding support for NOBULL, a rapidly growing specialty footwear and apparel company. Services include portfolio management, acquisition of IP rights, and enforcement against counterfeiters, supporting the company’s high-profile activities such as outfitting the NFL Combine and sponsoring the CrossFit Games. Douglas Wolf leads the engagement, ensuring robust protection of the brand during its expansion.

• Heidi Merrick: Trademark enforcement and defence

The firm advises on enforcement and defence of Heidi Merrick’s trademarks, including the ‘SRF’ mark, addressing marketplace disputes and competing claims. Heidi Merrick is a well-known ‘California’ surfer and ranch style women’s clothing designer. Legal services encompass protecting the client’s marks against allegations from challengers, preserving the integrity and commercial value of the brand. The matter is led by John Strand and Aya Cieslak-Tochigi.

Clients:

Burton Snowboards, Hagen Group, Iovate Health Sciences International, NOBULL, Pizzeria Uno, Sun Life Assurance Company, Thom Browne, Vivid Seats, Wayfair