Experience. Expertise. Vision.
Mark V.B. Partridge
Founding Partner
312-634-9501
Education
Harvard Law, J.D.
University of Nebraska, B.A.
Prior Experience
Pattishall, McAuliffe, Newbury, Hilliard & Geraldson LLP
Admitted to Bar
Illinois, 1981
Awards & Honors
2010 IAM Top 250 IP Strategists in the World
Download a word document of Mark's qualifications.
Litigation.
While still at Harvard Law School, Mark argued his first appellate case. He was a student volunteer at the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau and won the case. His winning record has continued throughout his career. As lead counsel in all phases of federal litigation, Mark Partridge has successfully represented domestic and international corporations at trial and appellate proceedings. But litigation isn’t just about winning. It’s about the business assets of our clients at stake. We are problem-solvers. While many litigators are effective technicians, not all are advisors who listen, understand the issues at hand, and then take the time to work out your options.
Barbarians at the Gate.
Mark has been advising Fortune 500 companies on trademark issues since the late 1980’s when the Nabisco/RJR Reynolds merger was the largest transaction of its kind involving assets around the world. Mark was brought in as one of the specialists who conducted due diligence and then developed strategic plans for the selection, protection and enforcement of corporate brands to increase the value of diverse global trademarks. He coordinated the transfer and registration of trademarks across borders while facilitating the launch of new products and businesses.
How do you get named one of the Top IP Strategists in the World?
You listen. You understand a client’s business. You help educate your clients. You are an advisor and not just a lawyer. We pride ourselves in our role as consultant to your business. We understand the value of your assets and dynamics of the global marketplace.
What do Google, Chanel and Madonna all have in common?
They were victims of cybersquatting. As an early pioneer in the development of laws surrounding domain name disputes in the mid-90’s, Mark has issued over 150 published decisions as a WIPO panelist for UDRP disputes. His ruling on one of the first domain dispute cases filed by the singer Madonna is one of the most frequently cited cases in domain case history. In the realm of unlawful online practices, Mark has handled cases involving computer fraud and abuse, spamming, phishing, copyright and trademark infringement, and data breach. Mark acts as both advocate and advisor. His strong worldwide connections with both regulators and regulatory agencies help our clients get better results. He has handled domain name disputes for luxury brands, online retailers, manufacturers, and Fortune 500 companies.
Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Mark is also a key player at the forefront of the movement toward Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). He has served as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association and as a Lanham Act mediator in Illinois Federal Court. Mark has leveraged his ADR experience to achieve favorable, cost-effective mediated settlements across a variety of industries.
Cabernet or Pinot?
When he was not litigating cases while a student at Harvard, Mark taught wine classes. He also taught guitar lessons to children in the neighborhood as a teen and has been teaching ever since. He teaches trademark law to distinguished lawyers around the world. Mark is a frequent speaker on intellectual property protection and has appeared before professional and industry groups around the country and around the world. He is currently teaching an advanced degree course in IP law at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago. Part of teaching is writing. An accomplished author, Mark has had four books and dozens of articles published in his area of expertise.
BOOKS:
Trademark & Copyright Litigation: Materials and Practices (Oxford University Press, scheduled for publication 2011)
Alternative Dispute Resolution: An Essential Competency for Lawyers (Oxford University Press 2009)
Intellectual Property for Professional Speakers and Trainers (2009)
Guiding Rights: Trademarks, Copyright and the Internet (iUniverse 2003)
RECENT ARTICLES:
"ICANN CAN OR CAN IT?," Landslide Magazine, May 2009
"Copyrights and Wrongs," HR Magazine, November 2008
RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:
"It’s Your Content, But Who Owns It?" United States Distance Learning Association, St. Louis, Missouri (May 2010).
"The Best Trademark Law Developments of 2009," Fordham University School of Law 18th Annual Conference on Intellectual Property Law & Policy, New York, New York (April 2010).
"Trademark Law Developments," The John Marshall Annual Intellectual Property Law Conference, Chicago, Illinois (February 2010).
"The American Perspective on Famous and Well-Known Marks: Fame is a Bee," The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois (October 2009).
"Intellectual Property Is Your Greatest Asset," Vistage Chief Executive Group, Atlanta, Georgia (April 2009).
"From Aha! to Profitability," The Alternative Board, Wheeling, Illinois (April, 2009).
"Using Intellectual Capital to Step Up Your Business in a Down Economy," Association Forum, Chicago, Illinois (March 2009).
"Protecting Your B.R.A.N.D. Without Losing Your Shirt," National Speakers Association, Denver Chapter, Denver, Colorado (March 2009).
"The Top 10 Trademark Law Developments of 2008," The John Marshall Annual Intellectual Property Law Conference, Chicago, Illinois (February 2009).
"How to Avoid Lawsuits and Other Legal Problems: Intellectual Property Issues for Meeting Planners," Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), New Orleans, Louisiana (January 2009).
"Famous Marks, Distinctiveness and the Internet," Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) First Annual Intellectual Property Institute, Chicago and Springfield, Illinois (December 2008).
"Intellectual Property Is Your Greatest Asset," American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) Annual Conference, Washington, D.C. (November 2008)
"Preparing and Defending Deposition Witnesses," Lorman Seminars, Naperville, Illinois (August 2008).
"Are Your Employees Selling You Out? HR's Role In Guiding Employees to Avoid Infringement," Annual Conference, Society for Human Resource Management, Chicago, Illinois, (June 2008).
"Cybersquatters and the Bottom Line," Counsel on Call, Chicago, Illinois (May 2008).
"What Every Lawyer Should Know About Intellectual Property, " Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago Chapter, Chicago, Illinois (May 2008).
"Ten Tips for Proceedings Before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board," American Bar Association, Arlington, Virginia (April 2008).
"Cybersquatters and the Bottom Line," Sun Microsystems, Chicago, Illinois (April 2008).
"Intellectual Property Is Your Greatest Asset," American Women in Communications Association, Springfield, Illinois (January 2008).