Law360 Names Finnegan’s Douglas Rettew as Intellectual Property MVP of the Year

Finnegan partner Douglas “Chip” Rettew was selected as a 2019 Intellectual Property MVP of the Year by Law360. The publication’s MVPs are an elite list of attorneys who had the biggest wins and made the most significant contributions to their practice groups in the past year.

During the past year alone, Doug secured two trademark trial victories as first chair or lead counsel—one before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and the other before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which was recently affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He also delivered two case-dispositive victories on summary judgment—one before the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and the other before the TTAB. These successful outcomes for clients come on the heels of a long line of wins in courts around the country. For years companies have come to Doug to protect and enforce some of the world’s most valuable and well-known brands. He has established enforcement programs and litigated and tried cases for clients with household names such as Under Armour, Bridgestone, Capital One, Combe (Vagisil), Nestlé, Patagonia, TD Bank, Dean Guitars, A&H Sportswear, and others.

“We are extremely proud of Doug and his accomplishments and the success of the trademark practice,” said Finnegan Managing Partner Anand Sharma. “He is truly deserving of this award.”  

Doug is frequently recognized as one of the nation’s top trademark lawyers. In an area of law where many cases settle, he has established himself as a rare trademark professional who knows not just how to litigate, but how to efficiently and effectively try the cases that go the distance—before both judges and juries alike. Clients praise Doug beyond his winning record, describing him as a trusted and savvy partner who understands their business and uses his legal acumen to achieve their goals and objectives.

As an IP attorney, Doug focuses on trademark, false advertising, and unfair competition litigation, trials, appeals, and disputes. He has first-chair jury and bench trial and appellate experience and has argued appeals before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Federal, Fourth, and Eighth Circuits. He also litigates oppositions, cancellations, and ex parte appeals before the TTAB. Doug has significant experience in obtaining (and defeating) temporary restraining orders (TROs) and preliminary injunctions, including those involving counterfeiting and ex parte seizures. He has served as leader of the firm’s trademark and copyright practice and now serves on the firm’s compensation committee.

About Finnegan
Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP is one of the largest IP law firms in the world. From offices in Atlanta, Boston, London, Palo Alto, Reston, Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei, Tokyo, and Washington, DC, the firm practices all aspects of patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret law, including counseling, prosecution, licensing, and litigation. Finnegan also represents clients on IP issues related to European patents and trade marks, international trade, portfolio management, the Internet, e-commerce, government contracts, antitrust, and unfair competition. For additional information on the firm, please visit www.finnegan.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.