Howard Michael

Partner

Overview

From startups to the most prominent Fortune 100 companies, clients rely on Howard Michael to protect their most valuable intellectual property assets, and for his extensive marketing and advertising expertise. Boards of directors, CEOs, General Counsels, and key marketing executives depend on Howard’s assistance to navigate their most significant company concerns around the globe.

Howard Michael is a co-chair of Crowell & Moring's Advertising and Brand Protection Group. With nearly 25 years of counseling and litigation experience in the fields of trademarks, copyright, unfair competition, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and false advertising, Howard represents many of the world’s largest companies and supports several of the world’s most famous brands. Howard also has extensive experience counseling clients regarding claim substantiation and compliance with applicable regulations and laws. His client’s range from startups to those in the Fortune 100. 

As a litigator, Howard represents clients in district court litigation, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board oppositions and cancellation actions, arbitration proceedings, and domain name disputes under the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy. Howard also has significant experience leading international disputes across a number of jurisdictions. Among his other areas of practice, Howard has a particular focus on critical trademark counterfeiting matters. He works closely with the courts, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Marshals Service to stop counterfeit goods from entering the country, obtains injunctive relief, and coordinates the ex parte seizures of counterfeit goods.

Howard has particular expertise counseling technology-driven companies, including social media and on-line retailers, on all aspects of trademark and advertising law. He represents clients in a wide range of industries, including social media, data security and privacy, alternative energy solutions, waste disposal, apparel, banking and finance, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, electrical devices, food and beverage, and home and consumer goods.

Howard is regularly asked to speak on topical trademark issues. Prior to joining Crowell & Moring, Howard was a shareholder at Brinks Gilson & Lione.

Career & Education

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    • University of Michigan, B.A., political science, 1993
    • Boston University School of Law, J.D., 1998
    • University of Michigan, B.A., political science, 1993
    • Boston University School of Law, J.D., 1998
    • Illinois
    • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
    • Illinois
    • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • Professional Activities and Memberships

    • International Trademark Association 
    • American Intellectual Property Law Association 
    • Chicago Bar Association 
    • Intellectual Property Owners Association

    Professional Activities and Memberships

    • International Trademark Association 
    • American Intellectual Property Law Association 
    • Chicago Bar Association 
    • Intellectual Property Owners Association

Representative Matters

  • Represented a famous baking company in trademark infringement litigation involving the national launch of a product line and issues including fair use and geographic rights. 
  • Coordinated the seizure of illegally imported counterfeit goods into the United States; obtained temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, ex parte seizure orders, and final judgments against several defendants. 
  • Coordinated several worldwide trademark clearance projects in the alternative energy fields. 
  • Secured federal trademark protection in connection with iconic athletic footwear. 
  • Coordinated foreign trademark litigation directed to counterfeit cargo goods. 
  • Assisted a not-for-profit client in developing and licensing a groundbreaking online course for Chicago public school students.

Recognition

  • World Trademark Review 1000, Illinois
    Silver Band, Prosecution & Strategy, 2020–2021
    Silver Band, Enforcement & Litigation, 2020–2021
    Bronze Band, Prosecution & Strategy, 2018–2019
    Bronze Band, Enforcement & Litigation, 2017–2019 
  • Managing Intellectual Property Magazine: IP Star, 2020 
  • National Law Review: Go To Thought Leader, 2019 
  • Leading Lawyers Network: Leading Intellectual Property Lawyer, 2010–2016
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