Overview
Jennifer M. Mikulina focuses her practice on trademark and copyright counseling, prosecution, licensing and enforcement. She counsels companies in a wide variety of industries, including consumer goods, food products, digital currency, health care services, insurance, hospitality/restaurant services and software/online services. Jennifer delivers a client-first approach to legal work and has been praised by clients and market-leading publications. According to one client quoted in World Trademark Review, “She provides top-notch service, which is both timely and extremely efficient; I wouldn’t go to anybody else for assistance.” Another client recognized Jennifer as “one of the most knowledgeable, humble, compassionate and patient trademark professionals anywhere. She is an excellent listener and problem solver with a unique ability to break down complex IP concepts into bite-sized, manageable pieces.”
Jennifer works with domestic and international companies to register, maintain, protect and license trademarks, service marks, domain names and other key brands, and she assists clients with the development and implementation of international brand management strategies and enforcement programs. She also advises clients on copyright matters related to various works of authorship, including print publications, data compilations, software, online content and online databases.
Jennifer works closely with members of the Firm’s corporate advisory, health law and tax practice groups on the intellectual property aspects of transactions, including strategic alliances, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and complex intellectual property license structures for public and privately held companies. Jennifer also counsels clients on a variety of information technology matters, including software licenses, software audits, and agreements related to software development/customization and data analytics, including a significant number of engagements in the digital health space.
Jennifer is the former head of McDermott’s global Trademark Prosecution Practice, former chair of the Firm’s Gender Diversity Committee, and is a member and past chair of the Firm’s Chicago Pro Bono and Community Service Committee. She provides pro bono services to a variety of clients.
While in law school, Jennifer was an intern for the Honorable Barbara B. Crabb, Chief US District Court Judge for the Western District of Wisconsin.
Results
- Counseled companies in the selection, clearance and protection of trademarks in the United States and abroad
- Worked with clients and US Customs and Border Protection officers on the seizure of counterfeit goods
- Represented clients in numerous opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and in Uniform Domain Name Dispute Proceedings before the National Arbitration Forum
- Represented a consumer goods company in a trademark infringement, unfair competition, deceptive trade practices, counterfeiting and design infringement lawsuit against a major retailer for sales of unauthorized and defective goods
- Defended a consumer services company in trademark infringement litigation regarding company name used in over 2,000 stores across the United States
Recognitions
- Super Lawyers Top 50: Women Illinois Super Lawyers, 2022 to 2023
- Super Lawyers, 2018 to 2023
- Managing Intellectual Property, IP Stars, 2020 to 2022
- World Trademark Review Global Leaders, 2020 to 2023
- Chambers USA 2021, ranked in Illinois: Intellectual Property, 2020 to 2022
- The Best Lawyers in America, Trademark Law, 2016-2021
- Expert Guides, Women in Business Law, 2020 to 2021
- The Legal 500 US 2016 to 2022
- Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, 2014 Top Women Lawyers in Leadership (one of six attorneys to receive this honor)
- World Trademark Review 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals, 2012 to 2023
- National Association of Women Lawyers, 2020 Outstanding Member Award
- McDermott Will & Emery Award for Outstanding Commitment and Service to the Community, Chicago (2011), Firm wide (2006)
- International Trademark Association, Individual Pro Bono Volunteer Service Award, 2015
Community
- International Trademark Association (INTA)
- Incoming Chair of the Law Firm Committee (2022 – 2023)
- Vice Chair of the Law Firm Committee (2021-2022)
- Member of the Chairman’s Task Force on Law Firms of the Future
- Former member of the Pro Bono Committee
- National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL)
- Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Board of Directors
- Lawyers for the Creative Arts, Board of Directors, current secretary
- Chicago Women in Intellectual Property
Credentials
Education
University of Wisconsin Law School, JD, 2001
University of Wisconsin – Madison, BS, with honors, 1998
Admissions
Illinois
Wisconsin
Courts/Agencies
US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
US District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
