Spotlight
Alesha Dominique spent a year in the Bronx teaching 8th grade after graduating from Howard University, and then a year in Southwest Chicago, with Teach for America. Those two years she spent teaching math to some of the most underprivileged and underserved youth in America was as transformative as it was defining for Alesha’s life. The kids she taught would sometimes be found doing homework at night on a street corner under a street light because it was the only light available to them…..their homes sitting in darkness because the electricity had been cut off.
When Alesha arrived on the first day of school in the Bronx, one of the students commented to her that she wouldn’t last a week. When Alesha asked the student why she thought that, the response was “because we had 4 teachers come in and out of here last school year….no one can handle us….no one lasts for long.” Alesha took that as a challenge and not only lasted the entire school year but got results from her students. When she arrived only 20% had scored proficient or above in their previous 7th grade New York State math test scores. By the end of the 8th grade year 70% of that same group of students scored proficient or above on their 8th grade test scores.
On a recent Tuesday evening Alesha’s cell phone rang. A familiar voice at the other end of the phone said “hey Ms. Alesha, how are you?” The voice belonged to one of Alesha’s favorite former students during her time with the 8th grade class in the Bronx. She consistently receives phone calls from former students looking for advice about life and just “checking in”. It’s that lifeline to her former students that has prevented Alesha from changing her New York-based cell phone number over a decade later.
Experience
Legal Expertise
Alesha Dominique is Chair of Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp’s Trademark Prosecution Practice Group, and represents clients in intellectual property litigation, with an emphasis on patent, trademark, false advertising, and unfair competition matters. Alesha’s experience includes representing clients before federal district courts, the U.S. International Trade Commission, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. She also counsels clients on trademark clearance, prosecution, and enforcement matters. Alesha’s experience cuts across multiple industries, including the entertainment, music, fashion, beauty, food and beverage, software and e-commerce industries.
Representative Matters
- Represented a multinational retail corporation in trademark infringement case; won motion to dismiss.
- Represented collectively more than 100 producers and distributors of copyrighted television content in disputes regarding their share of hundreds of millions of dollars in copyright royalties.
- Represented hip-hop artist “Drake” in copyright case involving an allegedly infringing “sample” from a jazz album.
- Represented a fashion e-retailer in copyright case involving allegedly infringing textile patterns.
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of health insurance industry client in copyright action in Eastern District of Virginia involving allegations of infringement of software code.
- Represented a major international luxury goods manufacturer in a contributory counterfeiting and contributory trademark infringement suit against a leading online marketplace; won motions for summary judgment.
- Represented global technology companies before the U.S. International Trade Commission in a patent infringement investigation related to Power-over-Ethernet products; ended in a full withdrawal of the complaint and a dismissal of the ITC’s investigation.
- Represented golf ball manufacturer against claim of $246 million in damages for infringement of four patents related to golf ball construction; obtained jury verdict invalidating all four asserted patents as anticipated and obvious.
- Counseled clients on compliance with Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, including in the areas of testimonials, endorsements, online advertising, and “Made in the USA” claims.
Honors & Awards
- "The World's Leading Trademark Professionals" - United States: California, World Trademark Review 1000 (2021)
- "Rising Stars," Minority Corporate Counsel Association (2020)
- "Top 100 Lawyer," The National Black Lawyers (2020)
- "Women Worth Watching," Profiles in Diversity Journal (2019)
Professional, Business and civic Affiliations
- Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) Global TEC Forum Advisory Council
- Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia, Intellectual Property Committee Co-Chair
- International Trademark Association (INTA)
- American Bar Association, IP Law Section
- District of Columbia Bar Association
- Maryland State Bar Association
Other Career Experience
- Associate, Jones Day (2012-2014)
- Associate, Howrey, LLP (2008-2011)
- Teach for America Corps Member (2003-2005)
- Judicial Intern to the Honorable Senior Judges: Beaudin, Dorsey, Hamilton, Mencher, Milliken, Morrison, Wertheim, Winfield, and Wynn, Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Headlines
Headlines
- World Trademark Review , February 12, 2021
- The Los Angeles Times, October 8, 2020
- Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA), August 24, 2020
- Los Angeles Business Journal, July 1, 2020
- Bloomberg Law, June 9, 2020
- The National Black Lawyers, June 5, 2020
- June 1, 2020
- Profiles in Diversity Journal, October 2, 2019
- Law360, May 9, 2019
- January 1, 2019
Publications
- Reclaiming Parked URLs, Trade Dress & Worldwide Trademarks?CODO Design , July 2020
- Evolution, Revolution & Creating A Brand That Sells More BeerCODO Design , JANUARY 2020
- Creating and Protecting a Compelling BrandCODO Design , December 2019
- No trademark infringement where contractor listed manufacturer’s product in municipal bidNovember 7, 2012
- Statutory provision on royalty judges violates appointments clauseAugust 30, 2012
- Trade dress damages award upheld after failure to file post-verdict motionsJune 28, 2012
- A unique arbitrary word mark does not lose strength as trademark when identified along with manufacturerApril 30, 2012
- Alternative basis for invalidity waived when not raised before district courtFebruary 29, 2012
Client Alerts
- April 23, 2020
- The USPTO Extends Certain Trademark Deadlines Amid COVID-19 DisruptionsApril 3, 2020
- Copyright Offices Announces Temporary Changes to Deposit Copy RequirementsApril 3, 2020
- Your Trademark and the COVID-19 OutbreakMarch 19, 2020
- February 14, 2020
- July 23, 2019
- December 28, 2017
Events & Speaking Engagements
- April 8, 2021
- November 24, 2020
- June 5, 2019
- March 26, 2019
- March 2, 2019
- June 13, 2018
Practice Areas
Admissions
- Maryland, 2008
- District of Columbia, 2009
- U.S.D.C. Eastern District of Texas, 2012
- U.S.D.C. District of Colorado, 2020
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 2017
- U.S. Court of International Trade, 2018
- Not yet admitted to the CA Bar. Practicing under the supervision of CA barred attorneys.
Education
The George Washington University Law School, J.D., 2008
Howard University, B.S., 2003, magna cum laude