World Trademark Review Recognizes Honigman and 5 of its Partners in the 2021 WTR 1000 Rankings

Honigman is pleased to announce its recognition by the World Trademark Review as a 2021 WTR 1000 ranked firm. In addition to the firm's recognition, 5 Partners have received rankings. The Partners are Julie Kretzschmer Reitz (Michigan), Anessa Owen Kramer (Michigan), Angela Sujek (Michigan), Leigh Taggart (Michigan), and Rachel Hofstatter (DC Area).

The annual WTR 1000 guide is a result of research including face-to-face/telephone interviews and exchanged correspondence over a four-month period with hundreds of lawyers, attorneys and their clients involved with trademarks.

The 2021 WTR 1000 Honigman description for Michigan is as follows:

“Honigman knows its clients’ portfolios and businesses inside out, doing away with the need for extensive briefings when you send instructions, so that no time is wasted. The team is highly efficient – it has an excellent docketing and billing department – and consistently delivers what you need on a quick turnaround.” The group is in its element handling large US and international portfolios and designing and executing brand development and commercialisation strategies that enable rights holders to get the best return on their IP investment. With skilled litigators and enforcers on deck, too, it can navigate all contentious matters with an unerring compass. Taking the reins of the trademark and copyright group, Julie Kretzschmer Reitz is a repository of trust for patrons, which are quick to send their recommendations: “Julie handles searches, filings, office actions and renewals in a way that makes the process of protecting trademarks seamless. She keeps you informed along the way so that you understand all your options and is quick to notify of any potential infringements. Overall, she does a fantastic job.” Board of directors member Anessa Owen Kramer likewise comes in for high praise: “Nobody is as quick, practical, smart or proactive as Anessa, whose advice can be relied on 100%.” Another versatile star of the practice is Angela Sujek, a “pragmatic and conscientious counsellor who knows exactly what to focus on and solves, rather than just identifies, problems. An excellent communicator, she works effectively with company people from entry level to the C-suite, and is a business partner who plays a huge part in her clients’ success.” Anchoring the litigation practice, meanwhile, is Leigh Taggart, a polished advocate who has proven his mettle in a wide array of IP disputes, not just those centred on trademarks. He is currently handling significant litigation on behalf of Mahindra & Mahindra against Fiat Chrysler involving the assertion of registered trademarks and unregistered trade dress with ITC and Eastern District of Michigan components, providing that while Honigman may be best known for its prosecution and associated work, it is more than capable of taking on the weightiest cases.

The WTR adds the following comments about DC Partner, Rachel Hofstatter: “Coming in for special praise, Hofstatter “manages complex trademark programmes that would otherwise be extremely time-consuming and labour-intensive tasks to handle in-house with great expertise”. “She is highly skilled and responsive, and her exceptional efficiency shows up in the reasonableness of her bills.”