People

Suzanne Hengl Photo
Suzanne M. Hengl
Partner | Section Chair - Branding, Advertising & Copyright (Firmwide)

Overview

Suzi is a hands-on practitioner who partners with clients to secure, protect, promote, and defend their brands and creative works from creation through litigation. Her practice focuses on trademark, advertising and copyright litigation, prosecution, and counseling, and also encompasses diligence investigations, drafting and negotiation of IP and marketing agreements, advertising claims review, and counseling concerning promotions. Suzi represents clients in trademark, copyright and advertising litigation in federal courts and before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and the National Advertising Division.

Suzi has represented clients in a number of different industries including computer and consumer electronics, retail, apparel, telecommunications, energy, financial services, entertainment, food and beverage, leisure and hospitality, food packaging, facilities management and architectural products.

Suzi is committed to her clients and to the community in which she works and lives. She is the Chair of the New York office’s Pro Bono Committee and has sat on the Steering Committee for the firms’ strategic collaboration with Official Black Wall Street (OBWS), an organization with a membership of more than 5,500 Black-owned businesses globally.

Suzi has been recognized in WTR 1000-The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals, 2017-2024, The Legal 500, 2022-2023, and has been named a "New York Super Lawyer-Rising Star" (Thomson Reuters), 2014-2017. She was also a recipient of Her Justice’s 2014 Commitment to Justice Award.

Admissions & Affiliations

  • New York State Bar
  • United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
  • International Trademark Association, Member, Brands and Sustainability Committee
  • New York Intellectual Property Law Association, Trademark Committee, Former Member
  • J.D., Fordham University School of Law 2006
    magna cum laude
    Member, Fordham Law Review
    Order of the Coif
    Archibald R. Murray Public Service Award
  • B.A., English, University of Virginia 2000
    with honors 
    Phi Beta Kappa
    Golden Key National Honor Society

Experience

  • Managing international and domestic trademark portfolios of corporate entities in the food and beverage, medical products, consumer electronics, food packaging, facilities management, and architectural products industries, among others.
  • Drafting and negotiating licensing agreements, cross-marketing and promotional content agreements, releases, sponsorship agreements, and influencer agreements.
  • Providing day-to-day counseling to international beverage manufacturer concerning claim substantiation and social media practices to ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
  • Conducting advertising review and clearance for nationwide clothing retailer for all advertising and promotional campaigns, including review of pricing claims, endorsements and testimonials, contests and sweepstakes, and cause-related marketing efforts.
  • Representing photographic products company in gray market goods litigation brought against multiple defendants, several of whom entered consent judgments. The case as to the remaining defendants settled favorably prior to trial.
  • Defending premier provider of computer technology and related services in litigation involving claims of trademark infringement, unfair competition and dilution. On the eve of trial, the case was dismissed with prejudice.
  • Representing advertising and digital media agency in trademark infringement action against content management company. Case settled after the close of discovery on favorable terms to the client.
  • Defending manufacturer of dance apparel in case alleging trade dress infringement, design patent infringement, unfair competition and misappropriation regarding certain shoe designs. The case was dismissed after reaching favorable settlement terms.
  • Representing photographic products company in gray market goods litigation brought against multiple defendants, several of whom entered consent judgments. The case as to the remaining defendants settled favorably prior to trial.
  • Defending leading food and beverage company in trade dress and design patent infringement litigation, a favorable settlement was granted.
  • Defending big box retailer in trademark infringement, unfair competition and dilution litigation concerning footwear designs, a favorable settlement was granted.
  • Representing premier provider of computer technology and related services in litigation involving claims of trademark infringement, unfair competition, dilution, copyright infringement and fraud against multiple defendants. The case settled favorably before trial.


Awards and Community

Recognized in the WTR 1000-The World's Leading Trademark Professionals, 2017-2024

Recognized as a New York Super Lawyer-Rising Star (Thomson Reuters), 2014-2017

Recipient of Her Justice's 2014 Commitment to Justice Award for "Outstanding Legal Team"