Updated: 4:55 p.m.
Monica Talley, who has been a trademark lawyer at Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner for the past 14 years, has joined Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox’s Washington office, Sterne Kessler confirmed today. Talley left Finnegan on Aug. 31 and started work at Sterne Kessler as a partner the next day.
Talley, who was a partner at Finnegan, focuses her practice on trademark prosecution, clearance, portfolio management, and client counseling, as well as trademark infringement and dilution litigation, Internet-related trademark disputes, and opposition and cancellation proceedings. She also works with clients in registering and enforcing certification marks.
According to her online biography on Sterne Kessler’s Web site, Talley’s clients come primarily from the consumer products, manufacturing, telecom, biotechnology, computer, media, and entertainment industries. Talley declined to name specific clients.
Michael Ray, managing partner of Sterne Kessler, said the firm wanted to strengthen its trademark practice because "the demand was there for that kind of work." He said that before adding Talley the firm had two full-time trademark lawyers and others who occasionally handled trademark matters.
"We see the trademark practice as one we want to grow in the future. We have several clients who have turned to us for more trademark work, and we want to be able to better meet that demand," Ray said.
Talley said she decided to move to Sterne Kessler because she wanted to take advantage of the "nimbleness of a midsize firm."
"This is an opportunity to grow a practice at Sterne Kessler as well as to expand my practice. It's a very exciting move," Talley said.
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