Potomac Law Group
Firm overview:
Potomac Law Group’s knowledgeable practitioners offer a cost-effective service to their diverse client base, maintaining a quality recognised by peers. The full-service firm is headquartered in Washington DC with a bench of former partners of top US trademark firms. PLG’s services include all aspects of prosecution to commercialise and protect brands, managing the portfolios of global brands and effective enforcement, including site takedowns. Contentious matters are tackled strategically by PLG’s team who litigate up to the federal courts. Its low-cost solutions attract clients of all sizes, from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies, including internationally known beer brand Carlsberg and buy & sell clothing app Vinted.
Team overview:
“Top level attorney” Julia Matheson (Recommended, Non-Contentious) is held in high esteem by US and international lawyers. The former head of trademarks for Hogan Lovells “understands what the client needs and she’s able to translate it into actionable steps...she asks really strategic questions and she’s always one step ahead”. Matheson’s history includes acting for and securing the iconic flagship mark for Google as its first trademark attorney. Versed both in litigation and prosecution, Matheson has acted in more than 100 inter partes proceedings in the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and has represented Starbucks in a trademark infringement case and a number of opposition and cancellation matters.
Key matters:
- Janet Satterthwaite leads PLG as the US trademark counsel for Carlsberg Breweries, the famous Danish multinational drink manufacturer. PLG is responsible for the prosecution and enforcement for numerous Carlsberg beer brands such as Kronenbourg 1664, Holsten-Brauerei and Tetley’s. Satterthwaite represents Carlsberg before the TTAB on an opposition concerning the mark for lager drink ‘Tuborg’.
- Matheson manages the international portfolio for Supergoop, the skincare brand which popularised daily SPF sunscreen use and was listed in Time magazine’s 2022 Most Influential Companies. Supergoop is frequently targeted by trademark and trade dress infringers in the US and Asia.
- Matheson represents MacArtney, a global supplier of underwater technology to oil and gas companies, ocean science institutes, marine renewable developers and navies in a TTAB matter against technology titan Apple. MacArtney has requested an extension of time to file an opposition while the two parties continue with settlement discussions regarding the mark ‘MacArtney’.
Clients:
ASOS, Carlsberg Group, Hunter Boot, MacArtney, Ocean Spray, Supergoop, UATP, Vinted.
