Overview
Sandy contributes to clients’ business success by providing strategic advice on trademarks, copyrights, unfair competition, and advertising law. Her extensive experience in brand name clearance and trademark portfolio management has placed her in the Gold band (the highest possible) of the WTR 1000—a ranking of the world’s leading trademark professionals by the World Trademark Review. Specifically, in its 2018 rankings, WTR relayed high praise by her peers and clients, who called her “incredibly smart and committed”, described her guidance as “pragmatic and all-inclusive,” and stated that “she has helped to advance the trademark practice as a whole.”
Deep experience in advertising claims review as well as advertising and promotional content in both traditional and social media rounds out Sandy’s full-service advice practice, making her a valuable asset to clients looking to grow and/or protect their market share. When disputes arise, Sandy is able to play a central role in resolving them. She acts as lead counsel in NAD advertising challenges, trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings and ex parte appeals before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. She also works seamlessly with Dorsey’s highly-regarded Intellectual Property Litigation Practice Group to develop effective federal court litigation strategy and expert testimony. When she is not advocating on her clients’ behalf, she often acts as a neutral and has been a mediator in over 30 intellectual property cases.
Sandy serves not only her clients, but also the firm itself. She is currently on Dorsey’s Management Committee and formerly served as the Chair of the Trademark Practice Group. Sandy is also co-creator and co-editor of Dorsey’s critically-acclaimed IP Blog, TheTMCA.com, which focuses on legal developments in the world of TradeMarks, Copyrights, and Advertising. TheTMCA.com was named one of the “Top 50” law blogs by the ABA Journal in 2017.
Experience
Client Achievements
Representative Work
- Availability review of hundreds of brand names, advertising slogans and label designs for SAMUEL ADAMS beer, REBEL IPA and ANGRY ORCHARD Hard Cider
- Assistance with the design of market research studies necessary to support comparative advertising claims of superior product performance and follow-through review of ad claims based on the research
- Copyright and trademark advice on a multi-component marketing system that encompasses computer programs, interactive website templates and sales brochures
- Successful ex parte appeal in the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of refusal to register the VirusScan mark on grounds of genericness and descriptiveness
- Initiation and successful settlement of dozens of TTAB opposition and cancellation proceedings
- Defense and successful settlement of trademark infringement claims asserted against clients' products and brand extensions
- Trademark adoption and registration advice for an online publisher's collaborative social media platform to share scientific research
- Extensive experience in pharmaceutical brand name clearance, including FDA-regulatory considerations
- Advice on trademark registration strategy for the updating and modernization of client's principal logo design
News & Resources
Articles
News & Press Mentions
Events & Speaking Engagements
Select Presentations
- Speaker, 2012 PTO Day Meeting, Bona Fide Intent to Use – Attorney and Client Obligations
- Speaker, Women Legal 2009 Conference
- Speaker, INTA Next Level Forum, Master Class: War and Peace (March 2009)
- Moderator, INTA Annual Meeting, "Survey Says … Survey Strategy in Trademark Litigation," Berlin, Germany (May 19, 2008)
- Speaker, INTA Annual Meeting, "Fundamentals of a U.S. Trademark Dilution Claim" (May 2004)
- Speaker, Law Education Institute, "Trade Dress and Other Recent Developments Under Section 43(a)" (January 2004
Industries & Practices
Trademark, Copyright, Advertising & Brand Management
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceBanking & Financial Institutions
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceFood, Beverage & Agribusiness
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceIntellectual Property Litigation
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practice- Banking & Financial Institutions
- Food, Beverage & Agribusiness
- Healthcare
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Technology
- Trademark, Copyright, Advertising & Brand Management
Professional & Civic
Professional Achievements
- Editor-in-Chief of The Trademark Reporter, published by the International Trademark Association (INTA) (2004-2005)
- Mediator for the federal court for the Southern District of New York Program of Mandatory Alternative Dispute Resolution and member of the INTA Trademark Mediators Network
Accolades
- Recognized as a Leading Practitioner in World Trademark Review 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals, 2013-2018
- Named to BTI Client Service All-Star Attorneys, 2016
- Ranked "Leading Individual" in Intellectual Property: Trademark & Copyright Law (New York) by Chambers USA, 2009-2018; mentioned in Trademark & Copyright Law (New York) "Leading Firm" Profile by Chambers USA, 2008
- 2015 Recipient of the Ladas Memorial Award, International Trademark Association's recognition for “Excellence in Writing in the Field of Trademark Law”
- Listed in "Top 250 Women in IP" by Managing Intellectual Property, 2013-2014
- Recognized as "IP Star" in 2013-2018 by Managing Intellectual Property Handbook
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America©, 2007-2019
- Listed in New York Super Lawyers, 2006-2018
- Ranked by her peers among the Top 20 Experts' Experts in the U.S., World Trademark Review, 2007
