Danielle B. Lemack

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312-554-7946

dlemack@pattishall.com

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I'm the CEO of a growing business. How would you help me protect my business?
It is extremely important to protect your intangible assets including your brands and advertising messages and to leverage them to maximize the growth of your company. We help companies protect trade secrets and expand brand value. We work with you to create strong advertising campaigns. We are able to provide counsel at each stage of product or service development, to avoid potential pitfalls and problems. If litigation becomes necessary, we have the expertise to help you protect your rights.

What are your professional areas of concentration?
Trademarks, Internet and e-commerce, website and advertising clearance; registration, acquisition, and protection of trademarks and domain names; brand development and protection; advertising and promotions.

I see that Pattishall has broad industry experience. What industries have you represented?
Automobiles & Components; Consumer Durables & Apparel; Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure; Household and Personal Products; and Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology

Can you describe some of the issues you've dealt with in your substantive specialties?
I recently acted as in-house counsel for a client that sells consumer durable products. I worked with the different business groups - as well as outside advertising agencies - to clear brands, advise on advertising campaigns, negotiate license and advertising agreements and protect the company's brand assets. We were entering the holiday season, and there were a number of co-branding and licensing arrangements to negotiate. We also supervised new online advertising campaigns and contests. The client was getting ready to launch new products, so I worked with the business teams on advertising claims, ensuring they had proper substantiation while maximizing the value of the claims.

I've managed clients' worldwide portfolios, helping the client secure and protect brands. We identified core brands and core markets for each of those brands and ensured that the brands were registered in those markets. We also worked with the business to stop infringing products from being sold (or registered). We collaborated with counsel in Asia to stop counterfeiting.

What are your specific qualifications and skills as an IP lawyer?
I'm honest, and always advise clients to be the same. One of my strongest skills is my ability to communicate: I listen to my clients with the goal of understanding what they want. I don't try to impose my own objectives on them. I offer appropriate counsel only after I hear what they have to say. I'm always amazed when lawyers advise first and listen later!

I am analytical-I try to understand the issues completely and then work out an effective solution.

I've been practicing IP law for over 8 years. I taught at Northwestern and have spoken at several IP conferences. My experience at Pattishall has enabled me to develop a broad expertise in IP law. And if I don't know the answer, I turn to my colleagues. The breadth and depth of experience here is impressive.

How does Pattishall's "team approach" differ from other law firms?
As a firm, Pattishall is a collegial environment. We work to produce top quality work with "best in class" results. We are not compartmentalized: lawyers regularly turn to one another to discuss issues, to get a fresh viewpoint, or an objective opinion. Lawyers are not competing with one another, or focused solely on their own work. Our clients and cases are staffed with teams, but the Pattishall team is standing behind every one.

What are your strongest practice skills?
I help clients to create powerful brand assets, while balancing the requirements of the law. I strive to help business people find defensible, strong solutions. I learn the nuances of my clients' businesses and help them determine how best to protect and develop their rights. I am also a strong advocate for my clients when conflicts arise, I secure favorable resolutions to protect my client's rights.