Overview
Sandy contributes to clients’ business success by providing strategic advice on trademarks, copyrights, unfair competition, and advertising law.
She acts as lead counsel in trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings and ex parte appeals before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and works seamlessly with Dorsey’s highly-regarded Intellectual Property Litigation Practice Group to develop effective federal court litigation strategy and expert testimonly. 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. 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 and evaluation of marketing and promotional content in both traditional and social media represent a significant part of Sandy’s practice. She assists clients in reviewing advertising claims substantiation and developing market research studies to support responsible and defensible advertising campaigns. When disputes arise, Sandy is able to play a central role in in NAD advertising challenges.
When she is not advocating on her clients’ behalf, she often acts as a neutral and has been a mediator in over 40 intellectual property cases.
Sandy serves not only her clients, but also the firm itself. Sandy was the former managing partner of Dorsey's New York office. She formerly served on Dorsey’s Management Committee and 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
Representative Work
- Availability review of hundreds of brand names, advertising slogans and label designs for SAMUEL ADAMS beer, TRULY Hard Seltzer, TWISTED TEA Hard Iced Tea 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 for personal care products and paper goods
- Copyright and trademark advice regarding unauthorized online product sales and availability of take down remedies and other enforcement options in light of parody and fair use defenses
- 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
- 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
Industries & Practices
Trademark, Copyright & Advertising
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
- Creative Industries
- Food, Beverage & Agribusiness
- Healthcare
- Intellectual Property
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Technology
- Trademark, Copyright & Advertising
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
Community Involvement
- Board member and Secretary, Dorot, Inc., a non-profit organization based in New York City that supports an aging population with inter-generational programs that address social isolation for those aging in place in their own homes
- Board member and Co-President of the Kent Library Association of the Kent Memorial Library, the public library of Kent, Connecticut
Accolades
- Contributed more than 50 Challenge pro bono hours, 2020
- Recognized as a Leading Practitioner in World Trademark Review 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals, 2013-2021
- Recognized as a Global Leaders Guide: Private Practice in World Trademark Review, 2020
- Named to BTI Client Service All-Star Attorneys, 2016 and 2019-2020
- Named to BTI Client Service All-Star MVP Attorneys, 2017 and 2020
- Ranked "Leading Individual" in Intellectual Property: Trademark & Copyright Law (New York) by Chambers USA, 2009-2020; 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 2013-2021 by Managing Intellectual Property Handbook
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America©, 2007-2021
- Listed in New York Super Lawyers, 2006-2020
- Ranked by her peers among the Top 20 Experts' Experts in the U.S., World Trademark Review, 2007
