Noted Trademark Attorney Susan A. Smith Joins Ballard Spahr

Susan A. Smith—an experienced trademark attorney known for counseling some of the country’s most popular brands—has joined Ballard Spahr as a Partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office, firm Chair Mark Stewart announced today.

Ms. Smith has served as trademark counsel to household-name brands including Steve Madden, Volkswagen, Audi, Apple, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. She advises clients on trademark clearance and opinions, applications and registration, rebranding, management of foreign trademark portfolios, enforcement matters, and brand protection/anti-counterfeiting. She litigates trademark and patent matters in federal courts across the country and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and the International Trade Commission (ITC).

“Some of the world’s biggest companies trust Susan with their trademarks and patents,” said Lynn E. Rzonca, Chair of Ballard Spahr’s Intellectual Property Department. “Her exceptional skill and experience in her practice further strengthen our team and bring new IP capabilities to our D.C. office.”

Ms. Smith also handles patent litigation in federal courts and before the ITC. She is experienced in motions practice, discovery, claim construction, trials, and appeals. Ms. Smith has successfully litigated against non-practicing entities, winning dismissal of complaints and summary judgments, orders of transfer to the client's jurisdiction, favorable claim construction rulings, and stays of litigation in NPE cases.

“Susan is exceptionally well-suited to our firm and will be an asset to our IP practice and our clients,” Mr. Stewart said. “We are very happy to have her at Ballard.”

Ballard Spahr’s 50 intellectual property professionals work nationally and globally to secure and protect brands and innovations. They help clients strategically develop and grow their brand portfolios and enforce and defend their IP rights. Using an approach that is both strategic and practical, these IP lawyers work with the firm’s pricing professionals to meet clients' budgets while delivering exceptional legal and client service.