Erik M. Pelton, Attorney at law

As the founder and managing attorney of Erik M. Pelton & Associates, PLLC, Erik Pelton is a recognized leader in the trademark law field. With more than 10 years of experience, he is well versed in all aspects of trademark registration as well as proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) because he’s worked the registration process from both sides.

Prior to starting the firm in 1999, Erik worked for two years as an examiner at the USPTO. In more than a decade of private practice, he has registered more than 1,500 U.S. trademarks for clients, represented dozens of parties in Trademark Trial and Appeal Board disputes, and practiced before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

• Graduate of Boston University and Catholic University School of Law
• Creator of the Apptorney iPhone® application for intellectual property attorneys
• Named a Top 10 trademark filer by NameProtect’s Trademark Insider three times.
• Frequent expert speaker on all areas of Trademark Law/Intellectual Property Issues for a variety of business and law groups and conferences
• Recognized by the City of Falls Church Economic Development Authority for contributions to the city’s trademark efforts
• Chapter Editor for the 2011 ABA’s Annual Review of Intellectual Property Law Developments
• Falls Church Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (2011)

• Bar Memberships:
  • New Jersey bar
  • District of Columbia bar
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • Professional Memberships:
    • International Trademark Association (INTA)
    • American Bar Association (ABA)
    • American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
    • Association of Intellectual Property Firms (AIPF)

Mark L Donahey, J.D., M.S. – Associate Attorney

Mark is a 2009 graduate of the George Mason University School of Law and a member of the Virginia State Bar.  Since joining Erik M. Pelton & Associates, Mark has successfully counseled and represented numerous clients seeking federal trademark registrations.  Mark has also prepared filings on behalf of clients in trademark disputes and appeals, argued several cases before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, conducted discovery and testimony depositions, and successfully negotiated settlement agreements with opposing parties. During law school, Mark served as a law clerk at EMP&A, and his studies focused on Intellectual Property Law, Privacy Law, and Negotiation.  Before attending law school, Mark earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame and a master of science degree in systems engineering from George Mason University.

Erik M. Pelton, Esq. Firm Experience

Erik M. Pelton, Esq. founded his trademark law practice and web site in 1999 with the goal of providing intellectual property expertise to small businesses and his practice is limited to trademark and copyright matters. While admitted to practice only in New Jersey, Mr. Pelton’s practice area enables him to represent clients throughout the United States.
Prior to beginning his own practice, Mr. Pelton reviewed trademark applications as an Attorney for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Mr. Pelton’s extensive experience at the U.S.P.T.O. included writing appellate briefs and statutory refusals of trademark registrations, and researching trademark law. At the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Mr. Pelton earned performance ratings of ‘commendable;’ or ‘outstanding’ in all categories. In law school beforehand, Mr. Pelton focused on the convergence of new technologies, communications, and intellectual property law during internships for National Public Radio, PBS Broadcasting, and The White House.
Building upon his experience and recognizing the rising value of trademark protection in the information age, Mr. Pelton launched TMarksman to provide af-fordable legal assistance for small businesses in need of trademark protection. Since then, Mr. Pelton’s counsel has helped build and sustain strong brands for dozens of Internet ventures, software companies, inventors, restaurants, and small businesses across the U.S. and abroad.

Value

• Flat Fees for many attorney services
• No hidden costs
• Free initial consultations available

Technology

• Electronic monitoring of trademark status
• Online application and payment at www.tm4smallbiz.com, winner of the Mishpat.Net Award for top legal sites
• Extensive experience using trademark search engines and databases

Customer Service

• Prompt,Professional, and Personal Service
• Easilyaccessible via email or toll free phone
• Convenientlylocated near the U.S.P.T.O.