ATLANTA (October 23, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the eight firm Intellectual Property attorneys who have been appointed to International Trademark Association (INTA) committees for the 2024-2025 term.
INTA appoints committee volunteers to carry out trademark-related initiatives and programs. Committee members fulfill their responsibilities by promptly and thoughtfully completing their committee’s mission statement.
The following SGR Intellectual Property Practice attorneys will begin service to their respective committees beginning January 1, 2024:
James Bikoff, a partner in SGR’s Washington, D.C. office, has been selected to serve as a member of the Legislation and Regulation Committee. The Legislation and Regulation Committee is responsible for the oversight and examination of legislative and regulatory changes, aiming to spot shortcomings in current laws and regulations related to trademarks and unfair competition.
A partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, Jason Blair has been appointed to the Non-Traditional Marks Committee. The Non-Traditional Marks Committee is dedicated to formulating and promoting INTA’s policies concerning the equitable safeguarding of nonconventional trademarks, including those involving sound, color, and trade dress.
Elizabeth Borland, partner in SGR’s Atlanta office, has been selected to the Internet Committee. The Internet Committee places significant emphasis on advocating for the interests of trademark owners within the multi-stakeholder policy development procedures at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
A partner in the firm’s Chicago office, Andrew Goldstein, has been appointed to serve on The Trademark Office Practice Committee. The Trademark Office Practice Committee is responsible for assessing and proposing enhancements to trademark office practices, protocols, operations, and rules on both national and international scales, encompassing processes related to the Madrid System and advancements within the TM5, a collaborative forum involving the world’s five largest trademark offices.
Grace Jennings, Trademark Administrator in the Washington D.C. office, has been selected to the Trademark Administrators Committee. The Trademark Administrators Committee is responsible for creating educational initiatives and materials tailored to the needs of TMAs, which includes activities such as crafting and reviewing educational content, identifying suitable speakers and moderators for educational events, and executing these programs.
A partner in and section head of the firm’s Washington, D.C. Intellectual Property Practice, Scott Woldow has been selected to the Leadership Development Committee. The Leadership Development Committee focuses on creating educational initiatives customized to facilitate the professional advancement and growth of its members.
Katharine Rowe, a partner in SGR’s Jacksonville office, has been selected to serve as a member of the Indigenous Rights Committee. The Indigenous Rights Committee is responsible for formulating and promoting INTA’s policies regarding the influence of indigenous rights and their enforcement on trademark rights.
A partner in the firm’s Chicago office, Jeffrey Catalano has been appointed to the Trade Secrets Committee. The Trade Secrets Committee formulates and promotes the INTA’s policy concerning the intersection of trade secret law with trademark and related intellectual property rights. This involves ongoing scrutiny of trade secret cases, legislative developments, and regulatory changes across different jurisdictions.
About INTA
The International Trademark Association (INTA) is a global association of brand owners and professionals dedicated to supporting trademarks and complementary intellectual property (IP) to foster consumer trust, economic growth, and innovation, and committed to building a better society through brands. Founded in 1878, INTA is headquartered in New York City, with offices in Beijing, Brussels, Santiago, Singapore, and Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit www.inta.org.
About Smith Gambrell Russell
SGR is a full-service, international law firm that advises regional, national and global businesses on a wide range of legal matters. The Firm’s nearly 400 attorneys provide legal counsel in more than 50 specialized practice areas, including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, real estate, insurance/reinsurance, construction, employment law, international, and employee benefits and executive compensation. Founded in 1893, SGR has 14 domestic and international offices, including Atlanta; Austin; Charlotte; Chicago; Jacksonville, FL; London; Los Angeles; Miami; Munich; New York; Southampton; Springfield, IL; Tampa, FL; and Washington, D.C.