Danielle I. Mattessich

Helping her clients secure and protect one of their most important assets—their brand names—is what Danielle does every day. She particularly enjoys the challenge of unusual problems, digging in to find the essential facts that make the case and solve the issue for her clients.

Danielle is a partner in the Minneapolis office and co-chair of the trademark practice group. She has experience in all areas of trademark prosecution, including preparing trademark clearance and availability opinions, preparing and prosecuting domestic and international trademark applications, and handling appeals before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Danielle also has experience in trademark litigation matters, where she prosecutes and defends clients in oppositions and cancellation proceedings.

She handles trademark matters for clients conducting business in a wide variety of industries, including foods and beverages, hardware, cosmetics, lubricants and fuels, recreational vehicles, pet care, insurance and financial services, and telecommunications.

Prior to joining Merchant & Gould in 2005, Danielle served as a Trademark Examining Attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for over five years, examining more than 6,000 trademark applications ranging from food products to computer software and Internet-based services. Her experience in the Office taught her to understand exactly what examiners are looking for in an application, and to avoid weaknesses that might result in a refusal. She represented the Trademark Office in several ex parte appeals before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Danielle has co-authored reports presented to the former Commissioner of Trademarks and has given lectures on examination procedures for the continuing legal education of examiners.

Danielle handles several trademark matters pro bono for nonprofit clients. She enjoys spending time with her three rescue dogs, fishing, skiing, riding snowmobiles, and doing a bad job of crossword puzzles.