Overview
Leigh Taggart works closely with clients of all sizes in matters involving intellectual property litigation and counseling. With 35 years of experience in U.S. and international intellectual property disputes, Leigh litigates patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret and antitrust matters throughout the U.S. Leigh frequently appears for clients in federal trial and appellate courts and before the International Trade Commission. He also has extensive experience in resolving international intellectual property disputes and contract cases.
Leigh “is terrific in all respects – witness preparation, brief writing, cross-examinations etc; you can be confident he is the best-prepared person in the courtroom.” (World Trademark Review 1000)
In addition to his client work, Leigh is the co-leader of the firm’s growing Intellectual Property Litigation Practice Group.
Services
Practice Areas
Industries
Experience
Representative Matters
- Tried patent, trademark, trade dress and copyright cases in U.S. District Courts and the International Trade Commission
- Resolved intellectual property and commercial disputes ranging from $5 million to several hundred million dollars in controversy
- Advised C-level executives on mixed business and legal issues, often involving $25 to $250 million in risk exposure or revenue potential
- Worked in varied technologies including septic systems, automotive, cataract surgical instruments, intraocular lenses, spinal fixation devices, jet engines, executive business jet aircraft components, pharmaceuticals, nanotechnology, wireless networks, heavy-duty diesel engines
- Ran five patent countersuit after client's former counsel lost $240 million judgment, settling all claims for $110 million plus substantial cross-licensing gains
- Resolved $1 billion dollar patent claim without litigation using private dispute resolution process
- Argued a trademark case involving millions of dollars in alleged damages before the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, winning remand for trial
- Argued a case presenting a patent law issue of first impression before the United States Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
- Served as General Counsel and Secretary for Rexair, LLC, manufacturer of Rainbow® Cleaning Systems:
- Contracted with independent distributors in over 60 countries
- Enforced valuable trademark rights licensed in distribution agreements
- Negotiated solution to complicated dispute with European customer/distributor, resolving protracted litigation in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, while retaining customer/distributor
- Litigated and supervised trademark, unfair competition and distributor disputes in Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, Lebanon, Mexico, Portugal, Turkey, United Kingdom and the U.S.
- Traveled and worked extensively throughout European and Asian markets to solve mixed business and legal issues
- Conducted and supervised various internal investigations and compliance audits
Prior Experience
- Rader, Fishman & Grauer, PLLC, Bloomfield Hills, MI, Partner, 2005-2013
- Rexair LLC, Troy, MI, General Counsel and Secretary, 1998-2004; Assistant Counsel, 1995-1998
- Shaw and Currey, Ithaca, NY, Associate, 1993-1995
- Drummond Woodsum Plimpton & MacMahon, Portland, ME, Associate, 1990-1993
Academic Appointments
- Cornell Law School, Federal Litigation Seminar, Guest Lecturer, March 1998
Credentials
Education
Cornell University Law School, J.D.
- with honors; American Jurisprudence Awards in Trial Advocacy and Legal Ethics
Haverford College, B.A.
- Philosophy
Admissions
- Michigan
- New York
Recognition
Awards
- IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals, Recognized as one of the World’s Leading Patent Practitioners, 2022-2024
- World Trademark Review 1000 – the World’s Leading Trademark Professionals, 2021 - 2025
- World Trademark Review 1000 states:
- 2025 – “With strategic acumen and courtroom prowess, this dynamic duo [Taggart and Deborah (Bea) Swedlow] fiercely defends high-profile brands across diverse industries, delivering stellar performances in federal courts nationwide.”
- 2024 - "Sporting a wealth of experience is IP and business litigator [Leigh Taggart], who represents high-profile names, including automotive manufacturers Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd in an ongoing dispute of alleged trade dress and trademark infringement.
- 2023 - "[Taggart] skillfully navigates complex cases, completes his work with the highest level of integrity and demonstrates an exceptional mastery of his craft. He presents novel and persuasive arguments."
- 2022 - "[Taggart] is terrific in all respects – witness preparation, brief writing, cross-examinations etc; you can be confident he is the best-prepared person in the courtroom. He seeks guidance from others at Honigman as appropriate and succinctly summarizes advice to support his clients’ decision making."
- 2021 - "[Leigh Taggart is] a polished advocate who has proven his mettle in a wide array of IP disputes, not just those centered 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."
- World Trademark Review 1000 states:
- The Best Lawyers in America, 2017-2025
- Recognized in practice areas of:
- Litigation - Intellectual Property, 2017-2025
- Patent Law, 2018-2025
- Troy, Michigan Area - Intellectual Property Litigation Lawyer of the Year 2017-2024
- Recognized in practice areas of:
- DBusiness, Top Lawyers, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021
- Managing Intellectual Property IP STARS, 2014-2022, 2024
- Recognized as a Patent Star and Trademark Star
- Michigan Super Lawyers, 2006
- Law Bulletin Media
- Leading Lawyers, Copyright & Trademark Law, 2023-2024
- Leading Lawyers, Intellectual Property Law, 2023-2024
- Leading Lawyers, Patent Law, 2023-2024
Professional & Community Involvement
- State Bar of Michigan
- New York State Bar Association
- American Intellectual Property Lawyers Association (AIPLA)
- Michigan Intellectual Property Lawyers Association (MIPLA)
- Federal Circuit Bar Association
- Michigan Intellectual Property American Inn of Court, Master Member
- Michigan State Bar Foundation, Patron Fellow
- Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan
- Intellectual Property Committee, Co-chair, 2010-2016
- Direct Selling Association
- Lawyer’s Council and Government Relations Committee, 1997-2004
- Clinton River Watershed Council
- Volunteer of the Year Award, 2001
News & Insights
News
Press Releases
Events
- Trademark Litigation – Strategies to Advise Your Client Like a Seasoned Pro, Michigan Institute for Continuing Legal Education (2023, 2020)
- Lessons for the Care and Feeding of Your IP Expert, AIPLA Annual Meeting, October 2020
- Federal Defend Trade Secrets Act Advanced Litigation Strategy Series, International Harmonization of Trade Secret Rights and Remedies, Federal Circuit Bar Association, Co-presenter, December 14, 2016
- The Evolving World of Trade Secret Protection, State Bar of Michigan Information Technology Law Section Seminar, September 2016
Alerts
Publications
Recognized by World Trademark Review 1000:
"[Taggart] is terrific in all respects – witness preparation, brief writing, cross-examinations etc; you can be confident he is the best-prepared person in the courtroom. He seeks guidance from others at Honigman as appropriate and succinctly summarises advice to support his clients’ decision making."
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