Overview

Emily focuses her practice in the areas of trademark and copyright law. She counsels clients on prosecution, portfolio management, clearance, enforcement, and dispute resolution, helping businesses protect and defend their valuable brand assets.

In the U.S., Emily has represented clients before state and federal trial and appeals courts, including the North Carolina Supreme Court, as well as the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. She also works closely with clients to help coordinate international protection programs around the world, including a number of major brands with significant IP portfolios. Emily has particular expertise representing clients in the fintech, pharmaceutical, tourism, and retail sectors.

Emily has built a strong enforcement and defense practice in the ever-evolving internet, social media, and e-commerce space. Additionally, she advises and defends clients with respect to trade secret and unfair competition disputes, contracts and related business torts, and litigation.

Prior to joining Michael Best, Emily was an associate and later a member of a Cary, North Carolina law firm where she focused on trademark, copyright, and patent litigation.

Experience

Solutions in action

  • Successfully defended a health industry client in an online AdWords (search engine advertising) case in both trial and appellate courts
  • Successfully represented an automotive industry client in a false advertising case and a trademark infringement case
  • Successfully represented a photographer in a copyright licensing and infringement case
  • Successfully represented a charity in trademark and cybersquatting case
  • Prosecuted chemical and biochemical patent applications to issuance before the United States Patent and Trademark Office
  • Prosecuted trademark applications to registration before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the North Carolina Secretary of State Office

Credentials

  • Campbell University, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 2009, cum laude, Phi Kappa Phi; Coordinating Editor, Campbell Law Review
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Master of Science (M.S.), Member, Thompson Group, 2006
  • Gettysburg College, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Chemistry/Computer Science, 2004, magna cum laude with departmental honors in Chemistry and Computer Science, Phi Beta Kappa; J.B. Zinn Research Award; Malcolm R. Dougherty Mathematical Award

  • North Carolina
  • United States District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of North Carolina
  • United States District Court, Middle District of North Carolina
  • United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
  • United States Patent and Trademark Office

  • Rising Star, International Trademark Association, 2024
  • Best Lawyers®, Women in the Law (Raleigh, NC), Intellectual Property Law, 2022–present
  • The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals – World Trademark Review 1000, 2022–present
  • Best Lawyers®
    • Trademark Law, 2021–present
    • Patent Law, 2023-present
    • Advertising Law, 2025-present
  • Legal Elite, Intellectual Property Law, Business North Carolina Magazine, 2022

Engagement

  • Member, INTA
    • Public Information Committee, 2020-Present
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, North Carolina Bar Association
    • Chair, Trademark Sub-Committee 2022-Present
  • Member, Wake County Bar Association

  • Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT200) Certification
  • Certified Referee, U.S. Taekwondo Association
  • Member, Praise Band Choir, Covenant Christian Church