USA
Practice Areas
Intellectual Property
Litigation
Career
For more than 38 years, Nancy Rubner Frandsen has guided clients not only through the core areas of trademark and copyright strategic counseling and portfolio management but also through the more complex areas of the practice, including enforcement before the federal courts and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). Nancy’s in-depth knowledge of her clients’ businesses, from individual entrepreneurs to major corporations, enables her to support and advance their unique objectives and goals and has made her their go-to trademark lawyer.
Professional Memberships
American Bar Association, Intellectual Property and Litigation Sections
International Trademark Association, Pro Bono Committee
Philadelphia Intellectual Property Law Association
Pennsylvania Bar Institute: Intellectual Property Advisory Committee
Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s IP Law Institute, Co-Chair and Course Planner, 2007 to present
ChIPS Philadelphia Chapter, Founder and Leader, 2018 to present
Copyright Society of the U.S.A., Philadelphia Chapter Chair, 2001 to 2003
Clients
Publishing companies
Newspapers
International food manufacturer and distributor
Promotional apparel and product distributors
Casinos and entertainment companies
Organic gardening products manufacturer
Leading independent organization producing scholarly work to clarify, modernize and improve the law
Beverage companies
Software companies
Musical groups
Education companies
Furniture companies
Sporting goods manufacturer and distributor
Distributor of food service equipment and supplies
Expert in these Jurisdictions
Pennsylvania
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Courts of Appeals:
-Third Circuit
-Fourth Circuit
-Fifth Circuit
Work Highlights
Manages worldwide trademark portfolios for multiple clients, with attendant counseling related thereto.
Responsible for international enforcement of client trademarks through the use of cease and desist letters, domain name disputes, mediation, and litigation.
Defended a longtime client in trade dress litigation involving the shape of a food product. Successfully prevailed on a declaratory judgment action, affirmed on appeal to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, which led to the cancellation of an incontestable trademark registration of the opposing party.
Defended a family restaurant business against a trademark infringement claim from other family members. Successfully negotiated a settlement between the parties.
Represented a client in trademark litigation involving energy drinks against a vodka manufacturer. Defeated a motion to dismiss, which ultimately led to a favorable settlement for the client.
Represented a client in trademark litigation involving sports accessories, which ended in a successful settlement for the client. Prior to settlement, successfully moved to dismiss a declaratory judgment action filed by the infringing party, allowing the client to litigate in the client’s choice of forum.
Represented a longtime client in trade dress litigation involving playground equipment. Defeated two motions to dismiss, which ultimately led to a settlement in favor of the client.
Represented a well-known retailer in defense of copyright infringement. After our client prevailed on a motion for partial summary judgment on damages and costs and succeeded in requiring the plaintiff to post a bond, the district court dismissed the case, and all fees and costs were awarded to our client. The decision was later affirmed by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.
Represented a publisher in a copyright infringement claim. After our client prevailed on all liability issues at trial, the district court awarded the client statutory damages and attorney's fees.
Education
Temple University Beasley School of Law
J.D., cum laude
Awards
Lawyer of the Year: Trademark, Copyright, IP Litigation
Best Lawyers
Intellectual Property
Chambers USA
2026
Intellectual Property
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers
2026
Global Leader 2022, 2024
World Trademark Review
Enforcement and Litigation - Gold, Prosecution and Strategy - Gold
WTR 1000
2026
Intellectual Property, Copyright
The Legal 500
2022
Thought Leaders IP
Lexology Index
2026
IP Stars, Top 250 Women in IP
Managing Intellectual Property
AV Preeminent
Martindale-Hubbell
2026
Intellectual Property
World Intellectual Property Review (WIPR)
2026
Industry Sector Expertise
Publishing companies
Newspapers
International food manufacturer and distributor
Promotional apparel and product distributors
Casinos and entertainment companies
Organic gardening products manufacturer
Leading independent organization producing scholarly work to clarify, modernize and improve the law
Beverage companies
Software companies
Musical groups
Education companies
Furniture companies
Sporting goods manufacturer and distributor
Distributor of food service equipment and supplies
Experience
Manages worldwide trademark portfolios for multiple clients, with attendant counseling related thereto.
Responsible for international enforcement of client trademarks through the use of cease and desist letters, domain name disputes, mediation, and litigation.
Defended a longtime client in trade dress litigation involving the shape of a food product. Successfully prevailed on a declaratory judgment action, affirmed on appeal to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, which led to the cancellation of an incontestable trademark registration of the opposing party.
Defended a family restaurant business against a trademark infringement claim from other family members. Successfully negotiated a settlement between the parties.
Represented a client in trademark litigation involving energy drinks against a vodka manufacturer. Defeated a motion to dismiss, which ultimately led to a favorable settlement for the client.
Represented a client in trademark litigation involving sports accessories, which ended in a successful settlement for the client. Prior to settlement, successfully moved to dismiss a declaratory judgment action filed by the infringing party, allowing the client to litigate in the client’s choice of forum.
Represented a longtime client in trade dress litigation involving playground equipment. Defeated two motions to dismiss, which ultimately led to a settlement in favor of the client.
Represented a well-known retailer in defense of copyright infringement. After our client prevailed on a motion for partial summary judgment on damages and costs and succeeded in requiring the plaintiff to post a bond, the district court dismissed the case, and all fees and costs were awarded to our client. The decision was later affirmed by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.
Represented a publisher in a copyright infringement claim. After our client prevailed on all liability issues at trial, the district court awarded the client statutory damages and attorney's fees.