Margaret McGann is a shareholder with more than 20 years of experience in trademark law and applying it to brand development, maintenance and enforcement. With a strong team of experienced paralegals and associates, she can efficiently serve both your simple and complex trademark needs and help you ascertain what those needs are.
Capabilities
Biography
Margaret Niver McGann is a shareholder of Parsons Behle & Latimer and focuses her practice on trademark law and its application to brand development, maintenance and enforcement.
Ms. McGann assists her clients in developing and managing trademark portfolios both locally, nationally and internationally. She has more than 20 years of experience counseling clients over both the short and long term on domestic and international brand name clearance, registration, use and protection strategies. She has extensive experience filing and prosecuting domestic trademark applications, and, in partnership with foreign associates, trademarks across the globe.
Ms. McGann assists clients in providing brand management and trademark education and training for all levels of employees. She helps clients identify or develop resources that allow them to manage trademark portfolios internally or to reduce costs associated with trademark management. Ms. McGann has worked as a member of client teams to assist in specific events such as the launch of a brand or an expansion to worldwide protection and use; or to assist in building or redesigning internal trademark systems and procedures. She can also provide support in the assessment and management of newly-acquired portfolios or potential portfolios.
Ms. McGann has experience in bringing and defending all types of trademark disputes, including infringement litigation as well as opposition and cancellation proceedings at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board; in licensing disputes; and in a wide array of internet-related intellectual property disputes.
Ms. McGann has represented and counseled both local and national clients including Micron Technology, Inc., J.R. Simplot Company, ClearOne Communications, Dented Brick Distillery, Beans & Brews, Women Moving Millions, Inc. and Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC).
Ms. McGann is based in Seattle, Wash. and is frequently in the Boise, Ida. and Salt Lake City offices.
Experience
Successful Trademark Appeal and TTAB Victory for Rebranding Client
Assisted with rebranding strategy and trademark application prosecution. Successfully appealed USPTO's refusal to register client's trademark, securing a rare reversal from the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
Trademark Protection and Brand Strategy for Multi-State Coffee Franchise
Served as legal counsel for a coffee shop franchise, assisting in its growth from a single location to 65 outlets across four states. Filed and prosecuted trademark applications, developed a long-term brand protection strategy and implemented watch notices and policing activities to support the client's nationwide expansion.
Rebranding Strategy and Prosecution of Trademark Applications
Successfully appealed the USPTO’s refusal to register client's trademark. Secured opinion from TTAB supporting client.
Accomplishments
Academic
The University of Texas School of Law
(J.D. 1992, with honors)
Chancellor, Keeper of the Peregrinus
Member, Order of the Coif
Member, Order of the Barristers
University of Virginia (B.A., 1988)
Professional
Recognized in Best Lawyers in America, Intellectual Property Litigation
IP Star, Managing Intellectual Property Magazine
Rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell
Prior to move to Seattle, consistently recognized by Utah Legal Elite
Served as a law clerk to Justice Nathan Hecht of the Supreme Court of Texas from 1992 - 1993
Associations
Professional
International Trademark Association
Member
(1999 - Present)
AIPLA Member
(2000 - Present)
Women Tech Council
Member
(2007 - Present)
Advisory Board
(2007 - 2011)
Idaho Women Lawyers
IP Sections of Idaho, Utah, Texas and Washington State Bars
Community
Backback Brigade
Utah Chapter ARCS Foundation
Board of Directors
(2009 - Present)
Past President
(2013 - 2014)
Seattle Chapter ARCS Foundation
Board of Directors
(2017 - Present)
President
(2021 - 2023)
ARCS Foundation National Board
(2014 - Present)
Rowland Hall-St. Mark's School
Board of Trustees
(2007 - 2013)
Insights
Articles
USPTO Public Advisory Committees, Why Not You?
Right of Publicity and Privacy Laws: Key Insights for Marketing Professionals
Idaho Trademark Law: Protecting Your Brand in the Gem State
Emerging Risks for Trademark Owners: The National Advertising Division Weighs in on Improper Use of the ® Symbol
Trademark Scams: A Growing Problem