LinkedIn RSS Facebook Twitter
Maureen R. Smith

Maureen R. SmithPartner

Chicago
120 South LaSalle Street
Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60603VCard
312.577.7000 
312.577.7007 fax
LinkedInDownload PDF

Education

J.D., Notre Dame Law School, 1993
B.A., Journalism, Drake University, 1989, cum laude

Services

Bar & Court Admissions

Illinois U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal CircuitU.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Recognition

Notre Dame Law School
  • White Scholar, Thomas J. White Center on Law and Government
  • Lead Articles Editor, Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy
Named a Leading Lawyer in Illinois in Copyright & Trademark Law and Intellectual Property Law (2021–24)
With more than two decades of experience in all aspects of trademark law, Maureen R. Smith has helped clients in diverse industries select, protect, build, and enforce brands in the United States and around the globe. She has filed and prosecuted hundreds of U.S. trademark applications, including for various forms of trade dress and nontraditional marks, and has overseen the filing, prosecution, and maintenance of tens of thousands of foreign applications. Maureen’s extensive international experience gives her an exceptional ability to assist U.S. and foreign-based companies in exporting their brands.

Maureen has managed portfolios that include some of the most valuable brands in the world and has supervised the development and enforcement of those brands in nearly every jurisdiction. She assists companies of all sizes as they select new brands, develop trade identities, and leverage brands. Maureen has also provided intellectual property counsel, including brand valuation, for many significant business deals.

Maureen has practiced extensively in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, including before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. She represents clients in trademark, unfair competition, and domain name disputes, rigorously enforcing their rights and defending their use of trademarks and names over unfounded infringement claims.

As former in-house trademark counsel for two Fortune 100 companies, Maureen provided key advice to brand owners (including at the C-level). Her in-house experience informs her practice, making her a valued asset and effective partner to in-house counsel and other legal professionals.

Maureen’s service and pro bono work has been varied. She enjoys lending her talents to charities that help animals and LGBT youth.

Maureen is a founding member of CHIEF, a network focused on connecting and supporting women executive leaders. She is active in the Notre Dame Club of Chicago. Maureen is also a member of Fitch Even's Business Development Committee.

  • CHIEF
  • Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago (LAGBAC)
  • International Trademark Association (INTA)
  • National LGBT+ Bar Association
  • Notre Dame Club of Chicago
  • Notre Dame Women Connect

Hosted on the FirmWisesm Platform | Designed by Charette Design