Intellectual Property Litigation and Transactional Services

It is difficult to conceive of novel and innovative ideas, create works of art and develop valuable goodwill in a mark. It takes dedication, commitment, creativity and ingenuity. In order to benefit from these innovations, inventors, artists and businesses need strong protection and counseling. Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys bring knowledge, proficiency and innovative strategies to bear on protecting intellectual property owners’ rights. The firm strives to understand the distinctive needs of its clients and tailors its services to meet those unique needs.
 
Our intellectual property group offers a full spectrum of superior litigation, prosecution and transactional assistance in a wide range of areas, including trademarks, copyrights, patents and trade secrets. While providing these services, our attorneys have represented clients ranging from entertainers and small companies to large corporations.

In addition, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP draws upon its national reputation as a litigation firm to protect its clients in the courtroom. Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is often retained as counsel in injunctive proceedings. In these fast-moving actions, immediate expert decision-making is required. Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP can and does provide this critical legal advice to its clients.

Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys have represented and assisted clients with numerous intellectual property issues, including in the following areas:

Trademark, Trade Dress and Unfair Practices
  • Application Drafting and Prosecution
  • Counseling and Opinion Letters
  • Licensing, Assignments, and Transactions
  • Madrid Trademark Registration
  • Mark Monitoring
  • Preliminary Investigations and Clearances
  • Researching and Providing Availability Reports
Copyright
  • Application Drafting and Prosecution
  • Licensing, Assignments and Transactions
Trade Secret
  • Counseling and Opinion Letters
  • Employment Contract Formation and Counseling
Litigation
  • Copyright
  • Deceptive Trade Practices
  • Patent
  • Trade Dress
  • Trade Secret
  • Trademark and Trademark Dilution
  • Right of Publicity
General Intellectual Property
  • Auditing
  • Counseling
  • Insurance Coverage Analysis and Opinions
For more information on Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP's Intellectual Property Litigation and Transactional Services Practice Group, please contact Stephen Fardy at sfardy@smbtrials.com or 312-923-8247.


Attorneys
Alasauskas, Amanda J.
Baccega, Brentyn D.
Becker, Jeffrey S.
Booker, Paris O.
Cooke, Patrick G.
Danekas, Steven E.
Duggins, Olivia E.
Fallon, Ian P.
Fardy, P. Stephen
Ferrill, Sarah A.
Harkness, James S.
Kloss, Kaitlyn N.
Lothson, Andrew A.
McLoughlin, Mark J.
O’Toole Peterson, Nicole
Patterson, William D.
Sheean, Christopher T.
Skwiat, Eric J.
Sphar, Troy M.
Vogts, James B.
Wahl, Michelle M.


News
Jeffrey S. Becker Behind Groundbreaking AI Legislation in Illinois (Apr. 21, 2025)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP to Host Copyright Law Event for Women in Music Chicago Chapter (Apr. 21, 2025)
Becker to Speak at DePaul University College of Law‘s CIPLIT® IP Lecture Series (Mar. 10, 2025)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Sponsors Chicago Women in IP's Annual Progressive Networking Dinner (Feb. 14, 2025)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Recognized as 2025 Illinois Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars (Jan. 23, 2025)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Recognized as Leading Lawyers and Emerging Lawyers for 2025 (Jan. 10, 2025)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Recognized in 2025 Best Law Firms Rankings (Nov. 07, 2024)
Mosnick to Speak at UIC Law's 68th Annual Intellectual Property Law Conference (Nov. 05, 2024)
Patterson and Alasauskas to Present at Lawyers for the Creative Arts and Arts Alliance Illinois' Workshop (Sep. 11, 2024)
Becker Assists in Passing Illinois Legislation Aiming to Protect Artists Against Misuse of Artificial Intelligence (Sep. 10, 2024)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2025 Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch Lists (Aug. 15, 2024)
Becker to Speak at WUP it Up! Chicago 2024 Music Licensing Conference (Jun. 04, 2024)
Alasauskas to Speak at the Indiana Filmmakers Network - Northwest Indiana's Entertainment Industry Speaker Series (Mar. 28, 2024)
Wahl and McLoughlin to Speak at Chicago West Community Music Center (Mar. 04, 2024)
Alasauskas to Guest Lecture at Columbia College Chicago (Feb. 28, 2024)
Wahl Moderates Women in Music Event at Senn High School (Feb. 27, 2024)
Alasauskas and Mosnick to Volunteer for Chicago Women in IP's Girl Scouts Patch Event (Feb. 26, 2024)
Becker to Speak at DePaul Law's CIPLIT® Intellectual Property Lecture Series (Feb. 12, 2024)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names Three New Partners (Dec. 27, 2023)
Patterson to Speak at UIC Law's 67th Annual Intellectual Property Law Conference (Oct. 31, 2023)
Mosnick to Speak at University of Illinois Chicago School of Law Alumni Panel (Oct. 23, 2023)
Alasauskas to Speak for Chicago Bar Association's Intellectual Property Law Webinar (Oct. 10, 2023)
Wahl to Speak for Lawyers for the Creative Arts and Women's Bar Association Illinois (Sep. 18, 2023)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Two Lateral Associates (Sep. 13, 2023)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2024 Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch Lists (Aug. 17, 2023)
Wahl to Speak at What Up Pitches' WUP It Up 2023 (May. 11, 2023)
Fardy and Patterson to Attend the International Trademark Association's 2023 Annual Meeting (May. 11, 2023)
Wahl to Speak at UIC Law's Annual World IP Day Program (Apr. 03, 2023)
Alasauskas Participates in DePaul Law's CIPLIT® Panel Discussion (Mar. 30, 2023)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Hosts Copyright Law Panel for Women in Music Chicago (Mar. 20, 2023)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Lateral Associate, New Law School Graduates (Dec. 09, 2021)
Fitzgerald Named One Of Crain's Chicago Business' Notable Rising Stars in Law (Sep. 07, 2021)
Five Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Aug. 10, 2021)
Becker Speaks at Lollapalooza University on Chicago Music Scene (Jul. 27, 2021)
Entertainment and Media Law Newsletter: NCAA Allows Student-Athletes to Profit Off Name, Image and Likeness (Jul. 16, 2021)
Becker Speaks on Music Publishing and Mechanical Licensing Collective (May. 19, 2021)
Becker Named to Billboard Magazine's Top Music Lawyers List for Third Consecutive Year (Apr. 12, 2021)
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 25 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys (Feb. 02, 2021)
Three Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named Partner (Jan. 18, 2021)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyers for 2021 (Jan. 11, 2021)
Patterson Shares How Santa Monetizes His Intellectual Property (Dec. 03, 2020)
Wahl Speaks at Virtual Music and IP Conference for Law Students (Nov. 18, 2020)
Becker Speaks on TikTok at Cardozo Law School (Oct. 20, 2020)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Sponsors General Counsel Session at ABA Entertainment and Sports Conference (Oct. 12, 2020)
Wahl Discusses "Copyrights Vs. COVID-19" in City of Chicago Cultural Affairs Virtual Program (Aug. 24, 2020)
Becker Named to Billboard Magazine's Top Music Lawyers List (Jul. 27, 2020)
Wahl Speaks on Copyright Basics in Musical Compositions and Sound Recordings (Jul. 13, 2020)
Becker Speaks on Lawyers for the Creative Arts' Copyright Litigation Panel (Jun. 22, 2020)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Hosts "Concerts From My Couch" Series (Jun. 09, 2020)
Becker Interviewed on The What Podcast on Force Majeure (May. 18, 2020)
Wahl Hosts Webinar on "Copyright vs. COVID-19" for Women in Music Chicago (May. 04, 2020)
Becker Quoted in Chicago Tribune on Potential Lollapalooza, Pitchfork Cancellations (Apr. 16, 2020)
Chicago Lawyer Magazine Interviews Wahl on City's Expanding Entertainment Legal Market (Apr. 07, 2020)
Wahl Speaks On Women in Sports and Entertainment Law Panel (Feb. 13, 2020)
Lateral Partner Joins Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP's Commercial Litigation Practice (Dec. 16, 2019)
Sheean Serves as Law Institute Liaison at DRI Insurance Seminar (Dec. 09, 2019)
Reilly Volunteers at Immigration Processing Center on U.S. Border (Nov. 26, 2019)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Sponsors Chicago International Film Festival (Oct. 02, 2019)
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Highlights Fardy in "40 Under Forty" Look Back (Sep. 27, 2019)
Illinois Wesleyan University Profiles Becker for Billboard Honor (Sep. 26, 2019)
Patterson Speaks on Litigation Finance (Aug. 28, 2019)
Becker Named to Billboard Magazine's Top Music Lawyers List (Aug. 26, 2019)
"Sound of Summer" Empowers Women With All-Female Concert Lineup (Aug. 02, 2019)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Hosts Fifth Annual Charitable Concert "Sound of Summer" (Jul. 23, 2019)
Becker Moderates Panel on "Getting Noticed Through the Noise" at 2112 (Jul. 12, 2019)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Hosts Health and Wellness Panel for Women in Music Chicago (Jun. 19, 2019)
Becker Speaks at 2112 on Indie Vs. Major Labels Panel (Jun. 18, 2019)
Becker Quoted in The Verge on Metadata in Music Industry (May. 29, 2019)
Becker Quoted in Pitchfork Regarding "Stranger Things" Rip-off Lawsuit (Apr. 22, 2019)
Becker Quoted in The Verge Regarding Artificial Intelligence and Music (Apr. 17, 2019)
Wahl Profiled in Chicago Music Guide Article (Apr. 17, 2019)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Hosts "Leading Ladies of Radio" Panel for Women in Music Chicago (Apr. 16, 2019)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Sponsors Ebertfest in Champaign (Apr. 02, 2019)
Vulture Quotes Becker on Spotify and Songwriters Battle (Mar. 15, 2019)
Becker Quoted in The Verge on U.S. Copyright Royalty Board Ruling (Mar. 11, 2019)
Patterson Addresses Legal Realities in a Virtual World at 2112 Tech Summit (Oct. 22, 2018)
BTI Consulting Names Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP A Standout in Commercial Litigation (Oct. 19, 2018)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Celebrates 25th Anniversary, Continued Growth (Oct. 02, 2017)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Client Obtains Summary Judgment in Copyright Case (Sep. 21, 2017)
Three Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Jul. 25, 2017)
Sheean, Wahl Speak at DRI Business Litigation Seminar (May. 09, 2017)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names Three New Partners (Jan. 05, 2017)
Fardy, Reilly Represent Convenience Store Chain in IP Dispute (Jul. 15, 2016)
IP Newsletter: How the Defense of Trade Secrets Act Impacts Your Business (Jun. 21, 2016)
Patterson Authors "Above the Law" Article on Litigation Finance (Jan. 21, 2016)
Becker, Patterson Lead Tech Talk on New Media (Jan. 18, 2016)
Lateral Associates, Law School Grads Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Dec. 17, 2015)
Skiko, Fardy Recognized at Jury Verdict Reporter Awards (Oct. 30, 2015)
October's Chicago Lawyer Cover Features Fardy (Oct. 12, 2015)
Recent Results Highlight Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s Growing Strength in Commercial Litigation and Intellectual Property (Apr. 06, 2015)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names New Partners (Jan. 15, 2015)
Fardy, Skiko Author Intellectual Property Magazine Article (Sep. 10, 2014)
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Highlights Trade Secret Settlement (Jul. 21, 2014)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Client Business Logic Obtains $61 Million Settlement (Jul. 18, 2014)
Wahl Receives Rising Star Award at IDC Awards Reception (Jun. 17, 2014)
Lateral Associates, New Grad Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Jun. 04, 2014)
Fardy Wins IP Bench Trial on Patent Ownership and Fraud Issues (Jan. 08, 2014)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Wins Summary Judgment in Trade Secret Matter (Sep. 04, 2013)
Seven Lateral Attorneys Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Jul. 09, 2013)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Wins Summary Judgment in IP Case (Jul. 19, 2012)
Toxic Tort Team, Former Patent Examiner Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Mar. 19, 2012)
Fardy Named One of “40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch” in Law Bulletin Publishing Company’s Annual Survey (Nov. 03, 2009)


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