I'm a co-founder and trademark lawyer at Trust Tree®. We help all types of businesses protect their brands with trademarks.

With more than 400,000 trademark applications filed every year in the United States, your chances of accidentally using a name that is already taken have never been higher. Before you launch your new product or venture, you need to make sure your name isn't going to lead to legal trouble. You can avoid potential legal problems by consulting with a trademark lawyer.

I specialize in helping clients with the selection, clearance, registration, maintenance and protection of trademarks. In addition, I represent clients in opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. I also have extensive experience litigating intellectual property disputes in a variety of federal courts, including all of the district courts in Tennessee, the Eastern District of Texas, and the Western District of Wisconsin.

I'm a proud “Double Dore” holding both a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from Vanderbilt University. I take Vanderbilt sports a little too seriously, and I'm grooming my children to be the next generation of Vanderbilt super fans.

I share my thoughts on trademarks and branding on Trust Tree’s blog. I also serve on the Young Practitioner Committee of the International Trademark Association, and I'm a member of the IP section of the American Bar Association. In addition, I'm on the board of directors for the Dr. Ronald G. Michels Fellowship Foundation, which supports training and education in vitreoretinal surgery.

And for some shameless self-promotion: I was named to Managing Intellectual Property magazine’s list of IP Stars the last 4 years.