Trademark Protection & Litigation
Attorneys
Matthew J. Schaap (Protection & Litigation)
Kesang T. Steinmetz (Protection)
Melanie Finley (Litigation)
Cassie Wolfgram (Litigation)
TRADEMARK PROTECTION (State & Federal)
Securing ownership of a mark begins long before any lawsuit is filed. Our Protection Team focuses on building and maintaining the legal rights that let your brand thrive.
Key services
Clearance & risk analysis — comprehensive searches at the Minnesota Secretary of State and the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) to detect conflicts early and gauge mark strength.
State & federal registration — drafting and prosecuting applications, responding to USPTO Office Actions, and recording assignments to create presumptive statewide or nationwide rights.
Portfolio management — renewals, Section 8 & 15 affidavits, monitoring, and watch services that keep registrations in force and spot copycats quickly.
Brand policing & licensing — cease‑and‑desist letters, consent agreements, and royalty‑bearing licenses to preserve exclusivity and create revenue opportunities.
Primary contacts (Protection)
Matthew J. Schaap — Shareholder
Kesang T. Steinmetz — Associate
TRADEMARK LITIGATION (State & Federal)
When disputes arise, our Litigation Team pushes—or defends—cases with the trial‑ready discipline that complex trademark matters demand.
Our approach
Early case assessment — compare marks, analyze market overlap and likelihood‑of‑confusion factors, and gather evidence of actual consumer confusion.
Strategic pleadings & injunctive relief — file or defend actions in Minnesota state courts and the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota; seek TROs or preliminary injunctions when speed is critical.
Focused discovery & expert analysis — tailored written discovery, targeted depositions, survey experts, and persuasive damages theories (lost profits, disgorgement, corrective advertising).
Resolution on your terms — negotiate settlements that meet business objectives, or proceed through trial with courtroom‑tested advocacy.
Primary contacts (Litigation)
Matthew J. Schaap — Lead Trial Counsel
Melanie Finley — Associate Litigator
Cassie Wolfgram — Senior Associate Litigator
Ready to protect or enforce your brand?
To learn more about the trademark litigation services we provide to our clients, please call us at 952-432-3136 or, if you prefer, contact us through our online contact form.