Claire is a seasoned trademark lawyer and trusted advisor who helps clients protect and maximize the value of their brands. Clients value Claire’s meticulous and steady approach to matters ranging from routine brand protection to high-stakes litigation. She is known for her collaborative style, clear communication, and deep understanding of complex trademark law. Her versatility and industry insight make her a trusted resource for organizations across sectors including education, retail, technology, and healthcare.
Claire’s experience spans the full spectrum of trademark and brand work. She regularly practices in federal courts nationwide at the trial and appellate levels, represents clients in proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, pursues domain name arbitrations. Claire also routinely develops thoughtful, measured strategy to protect her clients’ brands without resorting to a lawsuit. She tailors her advice to reflect her clients’ unique needs and business objectives, while ensuring their intellectual property is protected.
Claire works extensively with colleges and universities and is active in McGuireWoods’ Education Industry Team. She has served as an assistant professor at the Washington and Lee School of Law, teaching a Higher Education Practicum through which she has lectured on branding issues specific to universities and on Name, Image, and Likeness rules pertaining to student athletes.
Before joining McGuireWoods, Claire clerked for the Honorable Robert B. King of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the Honorable Nora Barry Fischer of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Prior to law school, Claire spent several years as a clinical social worker at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, an experience that continues to shape her empathic, client-centered legal practice.
- Represented a major university in trademark infringement and counterfeiting litigation against online seller advertising beer and cigars using brands of numerous colleges across country. After winning summary judgment on all claims, obtained favorable settlement agreement on remedies, which resulted in infringer’s entire website being taken down. (M.D. Pa.)
- Represented national clothing brand that was sued for trademark infringement. Defeated motion for temporary restraining order and secured favorable settlement and dismissal of all claims. (N.D. Ill.)
- Represented major clothing retailer sued in class action alleging deceptive trade practices related to online advertising methods. (Cal. Super. Ct.)
- Represented top sneaker manufacturer in trade dress and trademark infringement litigation against largest national retailer. Won multiple critical pretrial motions. Case resolved prior to trial with a favorable settlement including a permanent injunction against retailer. (C.D. Cal.)
- Represented world’s largest online nursery in trademark dispute against competitor. Won multiple pretrial motions and negotiated a favorable settlement to resolve dispute. (D.S.C.)
- Represented a major telecommunications company in a trademark infringement and unfair competition lawsuit during trial and appeals stages. The jury found in the client’s favor on all counts and awarded disgorgement of all profits and statutory damages. Court of Appeals sustained jury verdict in client’s favor. (S.D. Fla. / 11th Cir.)
- Represented sneaker company in appeal of a temporary restraining order granted in our client’s favor. Took lead in drafting appellate brief involving complex issues of trademark and First Amendment law. Court of Appeals affirmed in full. (2d Cir.)
- Represented major hotel chain sued for copyright infringement. Won dismissal of all claims against client for lack of personal jurisdiction. (D.D.C.)
- Represented leading bicycle company in trademark infringement action, which resulted in favorable settlement agreement that protected client’s brand. (D. Ver.)
- Represented multiple companies in energy, software, and transportation sectors in domain dispute proceedings, resulting in numerous infringing domains being transferred to clients.
- Represented major hotel chain in lawsuit alleging copyright infringement involving music. Substantially narrowed scope of potential liability and secured a favorable settlement significantly below demand. (S.D.N.Y.)
- Represented software company in trademark dispute involving complex issues of trademark priority. Litigation concluded in favorable settlement agreement. (N.D. Cal.)
- Represented major hotel chain sued for copyright infringement related to social media posts. Secured favorable settlement to resolve all claims. (D. Minn.)
- Represented leading carpet manufacturer in multiple related lawsuits against competitor involving trademark claims over branding. After winning multiple pretrial motions, cases resolved prior to trial with favorable settlement. (N.D. Ga.)
- Represented food supplier in lawsuit alleging trademark infringement and trade secret violations against former employee and competitor company. Case resolved after securing several key rulings on summary judgment. (N.D. Ga.)
- Represented major university in appeal before TTAB regarding USPTO’s refusal to register university’s brand in dispute involving geographic distinctiveness. TTAB reversed examiner’s refusal, resulting in client’s trademark being registered. (TTAB)
- Represented historical foundation in trademark opposition against foreign food manufacturer seeking to enter the U.S. market and register a competing trademark. Won summary judgment, resulting in competitor’s trademark application being refused registration. (TTAB)
- Represented major university in dispute seeking to cancel one of its trademark registrations. Won motion on pleadings, and dispute was resolved on favorable grounds that protected client’s trademark registration. (TTAB)
- Represented major furniture manufacturer in multiple disputes with other brands. Negotiated favorable settlements that protected and strengthened client’s trademark rights without initiating litigation.
Insights
- Co-author, "Student Athletes: The Times They Are A-Changin’," NACUA Notes, February 17, 2022
- Author, "Tribute to Professor Doug Rendleman," Washington & Lee Law Review, Vol. 78, Iss. 1, 2022
- Author, NLRB General Counsel Memo Announces Initiative to Treat College Athletes as Employees, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, October 7, 2021
- Author, Supreme Court Trademark Ruling Shows You Can’t Judge a Book(ing) by Its .Com, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, July 2, 2020
- Author, Sheltering Psychiatric Patients from the DeShaney Storm: A Proposed Analysis for Determining Affirmative Duties to Voluntary Patients, 70 Wash. & Lee L. Rev. 725, 2013
Trial Team awarded “Impact Case of the Year,” Managing IP Americas Awards, 2025
Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Litigation – Intellectual Property, 2022-2025
“Strong brands deserve strong protection. I help clients enforce their rights with strategy, focus, and impact.”