Alan helps consumer products and services companies, including those in the food, beverage, and fashion industries, gain and maintain their competitive edge through solid intellectual property strategies.
Early in his legal career, Alan served as Intellectual Property Counsel for the former Edison Brothers Stores Inc., then one of the country’s largest footwear and fashion brands. He oversaw enforcement and prosecution of a large global trademark portfolio and worked with attorneys around the world to enforce and protect the company’s intellectual property. However, the crux of Alan’s role was conferring with business colleagues to determine which marks mattered most for revenue generation and business priorities and developing a corresponding registration and enforcement strategy. The experience Alan obtained early on afforded him direct insight into the challenges and pressures that in-house counsel, marketing executives, and business development clients face in their fast-paced businesses—and taught Alan how business needs and goals inherently drive IP strategy.
Alan draws on his practical, in-house business experience today, strategizing with clients to ensure efficient and effective use and protection of their trademarks, copyrights, trade dress, registered designs, rights of publicity, configurations, domain names, social media names, and other intellectual property. He brings that experience to clients, be they small start-ups, mid-size businesses, or publicly traded, multi-national companies, to enforce and enhance their trademarks and other IP.
Alan represents clients in domestic and worldwide IP disputes. He protects thousands of trademark applications and registrations globally and directs hundreds of enforcement actions in a multitude of countries. He has won numerous orders and judgments from the U.S. Trial and Appeal Board, civil courts, and foreign trademark tribunals.
Alan provides real-world, bottom-line advice regarding where clients should concentrate enforcement resources and plans for IP expansion. He partners closely with clients, executive officers, and in-house teams, asking the right questions to uncover the business concerns and motivations that should drive IP strategy.