Trademark & Brand Protection
Trademark & Brand Protection Attorneys
Trademark and brand protection is about more than securing a registration, it’s about protecting the value, reputation, and competitive advantage tied to your brand. Manning Fulton advises businesses on the selection, clearance, registration, licensing, and enforcement of trademarks and related intellectual property rights, helping clients identify and address risks early while building practical strategies to safeguard brand assets as their businesses grow.
Our attorneys partner with companies nationwide across a range of industries to protect brand assets at every stage of the trademark process, from initial clearance through enforcement. Our brand protection services include:
- Trademark clearance and selection
- Domestic and foreign trademark application strategy and filing
- Trademark portfolio management
- Cease-and-desist matters and brand enforcement
- Coexistence agreements
- Trademark licensing
- Intellectual property issues arising in commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, marketing, and franchising
- Day-to-day brand protection counsel
- Trademark litigation
Partner with Manning Fulton
Whether you’re launching a new brand, expanding your trademark portfolio, or facing a brand infringement issue, Manning Fulton’s attorneys provide practical, business-focused counsel to protect and strengthen your brand in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Who We Serve
We represent businesses of every size and stage, from founders building a brand for the first time to established businesses managing large, complex trademark portfolios. Our client base spans a wide range of industries, and our reach extends well beyond North Carolina. We provide our clients with the benefit of a team well-versed in brand protection strategy and the trademark lifecycle.
Businesses Building New Brands
Companies developing, protecting, or launching a new brand.
Established Businesses
Companies managing complex trademark portfolios.
Clients Facing Enforcement Challenges
Businesses protecting their trademarks or responding to infringement concerns.
Clients Negotiating Coexistence Agreements
Companies resolving conflicts involving similar marks or brand rights.
Clients in Transactions
Businesses addressing trademark and intellectual property issues during mergers, acquisitions, sales, or other transactions.
Franchisors & Franchisees
Franchise clients managing trademark, branding, or intellectual property issues.
Businesses with Ongoing IP Needs
Companies needing trademark support as part of daily operations, brand growth, or long-term portfolio management.
Related Professionals
Accolades
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America
Eight Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.
2027
Recognized attorneys
- Matthew Muntean - Business Organizations; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- J. Patrick Bailey, Jr. - Real Estate Law
- Angela C. Baldwin - Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Trusts and Estates
- Cecilia Barreca - Business Organizations
- Chris N. Bobby - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Tax Law
- Lawrence D. Graham - Appellate Practice; Commercial Litigation; Real Estate Litigation
- Corinne E. O’Reilly - Business Organizations
- B. Zack Taylor, Jr. - Real Estate Law
Business North Carolina “Legal Elite”
Fifteen Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized in Business North Carolina’s 2026 “Legal Elite,” with three additional attorneys named “Legal Elite Young Guns.”
2026
Legal Elite
- Mike T. Medford - Antitrust & Complex Business Disputes
- William C. Smith - Bankruptcy
- Judson A. Welborn - Construction
- Jennifer L. Weaver - Corporate Law
- Thomas I. Lyon - Corporate Law
- William B. Gwyn - Corporate Law
- William S. Cherry - Employment
- Jessica B. Vickers - Litigation
- Alison R. Cayton - Real Estate Law
- Douglas J. Short - Real Estate Law
- Joseph B. Bass - Real Estate Law
- Jessica Elliott - Real Estate Law
- B. Zachary Taylor - Real Estate Law
- Sandra M. Clark - Tax & Estate Planning
- Steve T. Byrd - Tax & Estate Planning
- Chris Bobby
- Lawrence D. Graham
- Matthew P. Muntean
North Carolina Super Lawyers
Twenty-three Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized by Super Lawyers in 2026, including 17 Super Lawyers and 6 Rising Stars.
2026
Super Lawyers
- Joseph B. Bass - Real Estate
- Stephen T. Byrd - Estate & Probate
- Alison R. Cayton - Real Estate
- William S. Cherry III - Business Litigation
- Sandra Martin Clark - Estate & Probate
- William B. Gwyn Jr. - Business/Corporate
- Deborah L. Hildebran-Bachofen - Estate & Probate
- Thomas I. Lyon - Mergers & Acquisitions
- Barry D. Mann - Real Estate
- Michael T. Medford - Business Litigation
- Kevin A. Prakke - Securities & Corporate Finance
- Douglas J. Short - Real Estate
- William C. Smith, Jr. - Civil Litigation Defense
- Ritchie W. Taylor - Franchise/Dealership
- Jessica B. Vickers - Business Litigation
- Jennifer L. Weaver - Business/Corporate
- Judson A. Welborn - Business Litigation
- J. Patrick Bailey - Real Estate
- Angela C. Baldwin - Estate & Probate
- Chris N. Bobby - Business/Corporate
- Lawrence Graham, Jr. - Civil Litigation Defense
- Matthew P. Muntean - Business/Corporate
- B. Zachary Taylor - Real Estate
Best Law Firms: Metropolitan Tier 1
The firm secured 26 ranked practice areas, with 19 of those achieving the highest Tier 1 status.
2026
Recognized in:
- Appellate Practice
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Business Organizations
- Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
- Commercial Finance Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Law
- Corporate Law
- Health Care Law
- Insurance Law
- Litigation – Construction
- Litigation – Insurance
- Litigation – Labor & Employment
- Litigation – Real Estate
- Litigation – Real Estate
- Litigation & Controversy – Tax
- Mergers & Acquisitions Law
- Real Estate Law
- Real Estate Litigation
- Tax Law
- Trusts & Estates Law
industry
industry
industry
industry
industry
industry
industry