Bracewell & Giuliani Adds Cornerstone IP Partner

NEW YORK (Oct. 21, 2013) — Nationally recognized trademark attorney Mark N. Mutterperl has joined the New York office of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP as a partner. He will serve as a leader in the firm’s national brand protection practice and strengthen the firm’s IP litigation practice.

The New York IP team also recently added Senior Counsels W. Drew Kastner and Jessica S. Parise and Associate Rodney De Souza.

“Today’s businesses are constantly battling to protect their brands from counterfeiting as well as infringement of trademarks, patents and copyrights,” said Partner Rudolph W. Giuliani. “The addition of Mark, along with our current team of skilled litigators and former prosecutors, will be a strong asset to our clients in fighting this battle and gives us an unparalleled civil and criminal one-­‐two punch.”

“Mark is an incredibly talented and well regarded attorney,” said Bracewell Managing Partner Mark C. Evans. “We are excited to be adding him to our New York office, where we have been looking to expand our IP practice.”

Mutterperl focuses on brand protection and intellectual property issues. Specifically, he enforces trademark rights against infringement, dilution and counterfeiting; and oversees counterfeiting and other investigations.

He also manages trademark portfolios, providing strategic counsel on U.S. and international trademark and domain name registration and enforcement; handling trademark selection, investigation, and prosecution before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, alternative dispute resolution and litigation; branding, advertising and trademark issues; and transactions such as mergers and acquisitions.

“The addition of Mark to the New York office brings our IP team coast to coast and significantly enhances our trademark practice,” said Jeffrey S. Whittle, head of the firm’s technology law practice. “With IP attorneys in our New York, Washington, D.C., Seattle, Houston, Austin, and Dallas offices we are able to serve clients across the nation. Mark will be a cornerstone as we work to grow our practice in the New York market.”

Mutterperl, who has been honored by Best Lawyers and Chambers & Partners, has represented numerous Fortune 500 companies and some of the most admired brands in the world. He previously worked as a senior attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice and Special Assistant United States Attorney. Mutterperl joins Bracewell from Norton Rose Fulbright, where he was a partner.

Kastner focuses on trademark and copyright licensing and general intellectual property matters, particularly in the areas of sports, entertainment, broadcasting, and technology. This includes new licensing initiatives for both licensors and licensees, by delivering new revenue streams for trademark owners and providing offshore manufacturers with opportunities to license well-­‐known brands in order to gain traction in the U.S. market.

Parise helps her clients enforce trademark rights against trademark and trade dress infringement, dilution and counterfeiting. She also manages trademark portfolios, which includes consulting, implementing and strategically planning for domestic and international trademark and domain name registration and enforcement.

De Souza represents clients in technology-­‐based transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, licenses, agreements for technology development, transfer, acquisition, joint development, product development, strategic alliance, and product distribution.

Bracewell has been focused on expanding its IP practice. Mutterperl adds to the firm’s established trademark practice anchored by former chief in-­‐house trademark counsel for Time Warner Inc.and Partner Erin S. Hennessy in Seattle/Washington D.C. In 2013, Bracewell has also expanded its IP practice with the addition of outsourcing Partner Jeffrey B. Andrews in Houston and IP litigation Partner Douglas F. Stewart in Seattle.

About Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

Bracewell & Giuliani LLP is an international law firm with 485 lawyers in Texas, New York, Washington, D.C., Connecticut, Seattle, Dubai and London. We serve Fortune 500 companies, major financial institutions, leading private investment funds, governmental entities and individuals concentrated in the energy, technology and financial services sectors worldwide.