Partner
Michael D. Adams
Intellectual Property Counseling & Prosecution, Trademark Litigation, Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Overview
Michael D. Adams has over 20 years of experience practicing intellectual property law. He represents clients in a wide range of IP matters, including trademark litigation and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board proceedings; national and international advertising campaigns; international brand management including trademark clearance, filing, prosecution, maintenance, and portfolio management; domestic and international licensing, franchise agreements, and related recordation requirements; mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances involving intellectual property assets; securitization of intellectual property assets; and Internet-related intellectual property matters including federal Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA) and the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) actions. In addition, clients have recognized Michael for his client service. "Michael excels at effective client relations and is the best of all our outside counsel." – ILO Client Choice Guide - International 2013 and . . . “Adams’ knowledge of the trademark landscape and emerging issues is widely regarded, and all manner of clients turn to him for the skill with which he applies his experience to each issue as it arises.,” World Trademark Review 1000 2024.
Experience
Litigation:
- advise clients regarding policing and enforcement of trademark rights
- experience in trademark litigation in federal courts and the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
- domain name litigation under the federal Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act and Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy.
Recognition
- Recognized as a Trademark Star: United States (National), Illinois by Managing IP
- Global Law Experts - Trademark Clearance Lawyer of the Year in Illinois
- Ranked World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000: US: National
- Recommended Lawyer in Illinois – World Trademark Review 1000
- Winner of the ILO State Client Choice Award for trademark attorneys in Illinois
- Winner of the ILO National Client Choice Award for trademark attorneys in the United States
- Recognized as a leading Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets lawyer over several years by Chambers & Partners USA, which notes that "He has notable expertise in brand management concerns."
Education
- Harvard Business School Executive Education
- DePaul University College of Law, JD
Journal of Art & Entertainment Law; National Moot Court Appellate Team; Dean's Scholarship, Dean's List - Illinois State University, BS, Economics and Political Science
Omicron Epsilon Delta Honorary Fraternity for Economics; Pi Sigma Alpha Honorary Fraternity for Political Science, Dean's List
Admissions
- Illinois
Courts
- US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Professional & Community Involvement
- Treasurer (2014 & 2015) & Member of the Intellectual Property Constituency of ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) Generic Names Supporting Organizations (2010 to date)
- World Intellectual Property Organization, Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy panelist (2015 to date)
- Member of INTA Internet Committee (2012 to 2015)
- Member of International Trademark Association Law Firm Committee (2010 to 2012)
- Member of International Trademark Association Enforcement Committee (2008 to 2010)
- Executive Council Chicago Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section (2006 to 2008)
- Member of International Trademark Association 2008 Annual Meeting United States Programming Planning Committee (2006 to 2008)
- Member of International Trademark Association Young Practitioners’ Subcommittee (2007 to 2008)
- Member of International Trademark Association Trademark Administrator’s Conference Planning Committee (2005 to 2006)
- Co-chair of Chicago Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section Intellectual Property Committee (2004 to 2006)