Sam represents both domestic and global clients in a wide array of intellectual property matters relating to trademark, copyright, internet and unfair competition issues, with a particular emphasis on trademark prosecution, counseling, licensing, enforcement and litigation, including the defense and prosecution of inter partes proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. In addition, Sam assists clients with anti-counterfeiting measures in both the U.S. and abroad, including past efforts for a world-famous cartoon brand that necessitated interaction with counsel and customs authorities in numerous countries on an almost daily basis as well as ongoing enforcement efforts for one of the world’s most recognizable collegiate brands.
Sam also represents clients in intellectual property disputes on the internet, including domain name disputes and the misuse of copyrighted material, and has brought successful Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) proceedings to recover domain names from cybersquatters on behalf of The Limited, Cracker Barrel, Food Network, HGTV and totes-Isotoner to name a few. These UDRP proceedings included key domains for these companies, such as thelimitedscandalcollection.com, crackerbarrel.online, hgtvmagazine.com, foodnetworkasia.com and isotoner-slippers.com. Sam also leads the charge in keeping her clients and colleagues abreast on the developments of the new TLD era, and manages FBT’s agency with the Trademark Clearinghouse.
In recent highlights, Sam assisted women’s fashion retailer The Limited with negotiating an exclusive license with ABC, actress Kerry Washington and fashion designer Lyn Paolo for a fashion line based upon the hit show Scandal. In addition, Sam has been consistently ranked in the gold band of the World Trademark Review 1000 (WTR 1000) since 2015, an independent ranking of the top 1000 trademark practitioners world-wide. According to the WTR 1000, “[Sam’s] facility for getting signatures on the dotted line is famed among peers, particularly when it comes to sports and collegiate licensing.” The World Trademark Review has also noted Sam’s “very practical and business-minded” approach to client service, and she is quoted as having “built a very sophisticated practice” with her “striking knowledge of trademark law.”
Before becoming a trademark lawyer, Sam had aspirations of becoming a business and tax attorney. After receiving the degree of Juris Doctor (J.D.), she pursued the degree of Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Business and Taxation. During this time, Sam also took a position as a project assistant for a team of trademark attorneys and was heavily involved in the successful defense against a trademark infringement suit, including the request for a preliminary injunction, brought against the then upcoming launch of Current TV in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio. It was this very experience that signaled a change in Sam’s aspirations.
Sam is admitted to practice law in Ohio and Maryland only, and she will practice under the supervision of D.C. Bar members.
Capital University Law School, J.D.
Capital University Law School, LL.M.
Kenyon College, B.A., magna cum laude
Ohio, 2007
Maryland, 2018
Sam is only admitted to practice law in Ohio and Maryland only, and she will practice under the supervision of D.C. Bar members.
United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, 2007
World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000 (The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals), 2015-2022
– Top Attorney in Ohio – Gold Band
WTR Global Leaders, 2019-2021
– Selected as a Global Leader by the World Trademark Review (WTR)
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), 2017 Fellow
Chambers USA, Intellectual Property, 2015-2017, Up and Coming
Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars®, 2014-2017
Featured in Columbus Business First “20 To Know In Technology” Article, May 2013
International Trademark Association (INTA)
Anti-Counterfeiting Committee, Member, 2016 – 2017 (by appointment)
Non-Profit Committee, Member, Programming Team Chair, 2012 – 2015 (by appointment)
Ohio State Bar Association, Member
Columbus Bar Association, Member
American Bar Association, Member
Equality Ohio Education Fund (EOEF), Board of Directors, Secretary, Executive Committee, Nominations Committee Chair
March 17, 2022
February 22, 2021
September 17, 2020
April 29, 2020
March 19, 2020
February 20, 2020
September 13, 2019
April 15, 2019
February 6, 2019
January 29, 2018
September 18, 2017
March 30, 2017
February 8, 2017
January 18, 2017
December 2, 2016
November 30, 2016
August 3, 2016
June 3, 2016
February 19, 2016
January 15, 2016
December 30, 2015
December 2, 2015
November 6, 2015
October 8, 2015
January 22, 2015
January 5, 2015
January 2, 2015
August 28, 2014