312-616-5652 (direct)
312-616-5700 (fax)
Chicago Office

Related Practices

Education

DePaul University, J.D., 1990

University of LaVerne, M.S. in Counseling, 1978

Field Studies Program

University of Hawaii, B.A. in Sociology, 1976

Lynn A. Sullivan

Member

Ms. Sullivan focuses her practice on intellectual property law, namely trademarks, copyrights, unfair competition and false advertising. Her emphasis is in domestic and international trademark work including trademark clearance, infringement opinions, trademark filings and prosecution. She is skilled in due diligence review and analysis for mergers and acquisitions in both U.S. and foreign trademark, copyright and domain name portfolios.

Ms. Sullivan manages worldwide assignment projects including drafting of U.S. and international assignments and recordals. She handles oppositions, cancellations and Ex Parte Appeals at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Her experience includes litigation, drafting pleadings and motions, conducting discovery, and taking and defending depositions. She also engages in settlement negotiations for all phases of conflict matters and litigation including participation in mediation process. She has had successful prosecution of several non-traditional trademarks such as sound, color and configuration marks.

Besides managing large U.S. and foreign trademark portfolios for a wide range of clients, Ms. Sullivan advises them on filing and branding strategy. She handles issues relating to trademark licensing, including drafting, interpreting and advising on trademark licenses and enforcement issues.

Ms. Sullivan is responsible for supervising and mentoring associate attorneys. Prior to joining the firm, she was a paralegal for the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii and a contract administrator in the Marine/Government Division of John Crane-Houdaille.

Professional Affiliations

Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago (IPLAC) (Board of Managers – 1998-2000; U.S. Trademark Committee, 1992-present)
International Trademark Association (INTA) (Judge for INTA Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition Brief Writing Contest 2004-2010)
Chicago Bar Association
Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO)

Articles and Publications

“Thinking Outside the Box by Exploring Non-Traditional Trademarks” for the Annual Corporate Intellectual Property Law Conference – IP Corporate Law Bulletin Seminar, Chicago, Illinois, February 8, 2012
"Nontraditional trademarks offer creativity," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, February 7, 2012
“Reinforcing an IP Portfolio Through Non-Traditional Trademarks” for the VPP Conference, Mainz, Germany October 20, 2011
“Designating the U.S. in a Madrid Protocol Registration – Tips and Considerations” for the VPP Conference, Mainz, Germany, October 20, 2011
"Lawyers must find ways to manage stress," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, August 18, 2011
“Use of Another’s Trademark in Internet Commerce-Consumer Confusion and the Balance of Harm Debate” for the Annual Corporate intellectual Property Law Conference – IP Corporate Law Bulletin Seminar, Chicago, Illinois, February 8, 2011
Profiled in "Lynn Sullivan: Speedy Solutions Are Her Trademark," Leading Lawyers Magazine –Women's Edition, November 2010
"Winds of Change," co-authored with Phillip M. Pippenger, Law Day issue of Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, April 2010
Authored a chapter, "Leading the Client toward a Successful, Cost-effective Result" for Inside the Minds: IP Client Strategies, Aspatore Books, 2007

Honors

Recognized as a top Illinois trademark lawyer by the World Trademark Review 1000 (2011)
Selected by peers as a Leading Lawyer in Intellectual Property Law – Leading Lawyers Network
Listed among the Top Lawyers in Illinois in Intellectual Property Law – Chicago Lawyer
Selected by peers to be among the Top Women Lawyers in Illinois – Chicago Lawyer, July 2008 and 2009

Speaking Engagements and Presentations

Speaker on "Thinking Outside the Box by Exploring Non-Traditional Trademarks," Annual Corporate Intellectual Property Law Conference – IP Corporate Law Bulletin Seminar, Chicago, Illinois, February 8, 2012
Speaker on “Reinforcing an IP Portfolio Through Non-Traditional Trademarks” and “Designating the U.S. in a Madrid Protocol Registration – Tips and Considerations,” Sonderseminar US – IP Rights, VPP Conference, Mainz, Germany, October 20, 2011
Speaker on "Consumer Confusion or Profitable Promotion?," Annual Corporate Intellectual Property Law Conference – IP Corporate Law Bulletin Seminar, Chicago, Illinois, February 8, 2011
Speaker on "Successful Use of the Madrid Protocol," American Intellectual Property Law Association, Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., October 16, 2009
"Madrid Agreement/Protocol Registration Workshop," presentation for paralegals, Half Moon LLC, IIT, Wheaton, Illinois, June 19, 2009
Speaker on "Prosecution of Non-traditional Trademarks," Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago seminar presented by the U.S. and International Trademark Committees, Chicago, Illinois, 2002
Speaker on "Domestic Trademark Practice" at the seminar on Trademark & Copyright Practice for Paralegals, Chicago, Illinois, June 17, 1999
Speaker on "Potential Changes to Effect U.S. Intellectual Property Law Practices," Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago seminar on World Wide Enforcement of Trademark Rights, Chicago, Illinois, March 31, 1998

Bar Admissions and Registrations

Illinois, 1990

Courts

U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois