Scott D. Woldow

Partner / Washington, D.C.

Scott David Woldow is a Partner in the Intellectual Property Practice, leads the Trademark Practice Group, and is Managing Partner of the Washington, D.C. office of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP.

Full Bio

Scott Woldow helps companies build, protect, and enforce brands in the United States and worldwide. He advises on trademark clearance and portfolio strategy, resolves disputes before they become business disruptions, and represents clients in U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) proceedings and related litigation. Clients rely on Scott for practical risk assessment and clear paths to resolution, whether the objective is market entry, brand expansion, or enforcement against infringers.

Scott is known for early risk assessment and practical resolution planning. He works with in-house teams to set enforcement priorities, align legal strategy with commercial objectives, and resolve conflicts efficiently, often through negotiated outcomes that avoid unnecessary litigation spend.

As part of the Firm’s top-ranked trademark team, Mr. Woldow helps clients develop branding strategies and acquire and enforce U.S. and international rights in trademarks. He has prosecuted over 2,000 trademark applications before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and over 500 trademark oppositions matters before the TTAB. He continuously contributes to thought leadership in this space and is a sought-after speaker on trademark issues worldwide.

Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Woldow was a Trademark Examining Attorney for the United States Patent and Trademark Office, with concentrations in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and medical device fields. Mr. Woldow is a member of the District of Columbia Bar.

Mr. Woldow earned his B.A. degree, with honors in Philosophy from Hofstra University, where he also earned Minors in Psychology and History. He earned his J.D. degree from The American University, Washington College of Law. During law school, Mr. Woldow was a member of Phi Alpha Delta, and he was a trial practice participant. Mr. Woldow also earned a Master’s in Business Administration from The American University.
Representative Experience
- Developed, implemented, and managed global trademark prosecution, maintenance, and enforcement program for several Fortune 1000 companies, including major chemical, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and software companies.
- Representation of numerous Fortune 1000 companies in brand protection disputes, including proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
- Developed, implemented, and managed an online enforcement program for a leading government contract provider.
- Representation of client in negotiating a worldwide purchase of a blocking portfolio of registrations from a pharmaceutical competitor.
- Representation of client in negotiating the purchase of a cosmetic trademark blocking a Swiss company from entering into the United States under its trade name.
- Representation of client in its successful opposition of the United States portion of a worldwide drilling industry conflict and the negotiation of a global settlement of a pharmaceutical trade name conflict.
Ex Parte Appeals:
- Representation of Nuevo Laredo Cantina in a successful appeal of a Geographic Descriptiveness Refusal.
- Representation of Overhead Door Corporation in a successful appeal of a Descriptiveness Refusal.
- Representation of Abkit, Inc. in a successful appeal of a Likelihood of Confusion Refusal.
Bar Admissions

District of Columbia
Maryland (inactive)
Education
Undergraduate
- Hofstra University
Law School
- American University
Graduate School
- American University
Memberships

International Trademark Association – Leadership Development Committee

International Trademark Association – Former Chair of the Government Officials Education and Training Committee

Trademark Office Practice Committee – Chair of the United States Patent and Trademark Office Subcommittee
Recognitions

World Trademark Review 1000 (WTR 1000) - List of World's Leading Trademark Professionals, District of Columbia (2021-2026)
Chambers USA, Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets - District of Columbia (2016, 2017, 2021-2025)
Super Lawyers, District of Columbia (2016-2019)
Publications and Speaking Engagements

“Defining the Relationships between Geographical Indications, Trademarks, and Common Names. What they are, what purposes they serve, and how they differ”, INTA Annual Meeting, May 7, 2025.

IP and Innovation, The Trademark Modernization Act Unplugged: What Non-U.S. Lawyers and Brand Owners Should Know About Actions Under the Trademark Modernization Act, INTA Annual Meeting, May 18, 2023.

INTA Insights, Small & Medium-Sized Enterprises “Engaging SMEs on the Importance of Registering Their Trademarks and Protecting Their Brands,” INTATV1, April 6, 2023.

INTA Insight, Jenny Simmons and Scott Woldow on USPTO Rule Changes, INTATV1, October 27, 2022.

United States Trademark Law Developments, USPTO Virtual Seminar, U.S.-China 2022 Developments in Trademark Law and Practice Perspectives, September 8, 2022.

USPTO Implements Trademark Modernization Act, INTA News, January 2022.

SGR Technology Blog: Metaverse: The Next Commercial Frontier, November 12, 2021.

United States: Attorney Recognition Rule Changes, INTA Bulletin, Vol. 76 Issue 36, September 15, 2021.

United States: USPTO Continues to Tackle Increased Fraudulent Filings, INTA News, November 10, 2021.

Training Explores Cannabis Industry and Trademarks, INTA News, June 16, 2021.

Key Legislative Developments: A Year in Review, INTA Presenter, 2021 Leadership Meeting, May 7, 2021.

INTA Webcast Offers Insight into New U.S. Trademark Act, Changes in USPTO Practice, INTA Bulletin, March 17, 2021.

The U.S. Trademark Modernization Act of 2020: What Every Trademark Practitioner Needs to Know, INTA Presentation, March 3, 2021.

INTA Meets with USPTO Officials on New Email Rule, INTA Bulletin, May 1, 2020.
SGR Publications
Press