Barbara A. Friedman

Barbara has been with Edell, Shapiro & Finnan since 2003, and has practiced trademark law since she graduated law school in 1983.  Her practice focuses on counseling large and small companies and individuals on trademark adoption, clearance, registration, and enforcement matters.  Her practice also includes advising on copyright issues, copyright registration and enforcement of rights in copyrights.  She has experience with clients in the insurance and financial industry, children’s toys and children’s products, the food service industry, retail services in a variety of specialized fields, tools and home improvement equipment, the music industry, and the apparel industry, among others.

Barbara has extensive experience in searching and clearing new trademarks and in prosecuting applications for trademark registration in the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office.  She also handles trademark disputes, including opposition and cancellation actions in the Trademark Office, and domain name disputes.  She manages trademark clearance and registration efforts for clients, both in the U.S. and abroad.  Her focus is on acquiring, enforcing, and protecting trademark rights for multinational companies, small businesses and individuals, and on strategies for acquiring, registering, protecting and enforcing rights in trademarks and copyrights, in the U.S. and abroad.

Prior to joining Edell, Shapiro & Finnan in 2003, Barbara practiced trademark law at two large law firms in Washington, D.C., Morgan Lewis & Bockius, and Howrey.  Barbara began her career in the trademark field as a Trademark Examining Attorney, joining the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 1983 upon graduating from law school.  

Barbara has for many years been an active member of the International Trademark Association, and has served in leadership positions in that organization, including serving as Chair of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Subcommittee, and the Vice-Chair and then Chair of the Trademark Offices Practice Committee.  She is also a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association and its Trademark Office Relations committee.  

Barbara was awarded her B.A. degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and her J.D. from the George Washington University National Law Center.