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.

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

• "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

• 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

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