Brand, patent, or trade-secret issue in New Orleans? Pick a firm that prosecutes and litigates IP.
Top 10 IP and Trademark Lawyers in New Orleans
New Orleans IP work runs through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for registration, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) for oppositions and cancellations, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana for infringement litigation. The firms below all have verifiable New Orleans presence and dedicated IP, trademark, or patent practices.
Updated September 14, 202514 min readEditorially independent
IP work splits into two halves: registration (filing for trademarks, patents, copyrights at the USPTO or U.S. Copyright Office) and enforcement (sending cease-and-desist letters, litigating infringement claims, defending against IP lawsuits). Most New Orleans firms on this list handle both. A few are litigation-only or patent-prosecution-only. Pick a firm whose strength matches your situation - a startup needing trademark registration has different needs than a manufacturer being sued for patent infringement.
These 10 firms are filtered against Super Lawyers Louisiana Intellectual Property, Best Lawyers in America 2026, Chambers USA, Justia, and Martindale-Hubbell. Every firm has at least one USPTO-registered attorney on staff for patent matters, or a dedicated trademark practice handling federal registrations, oppositions, and infringement litigation.
How we picked these 10: We reviewed peer rankings (Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia), bar association recognition, and published case results. Firms that appeared consistently across at least two independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Carver Darden Koretzky Tessier Finn Blossman & Areaux LLC
1100 Poydras St, Suite 3100, New Orleans, LA 70163Founded 1980 (New Orleans HQ)Mid (~50 attorneys; New Orleans HQ)
Practice focus: Patent prosecution, trademark prosecution and litigation, copyright, trade secrets, IP licensing, USPTO TTAB proceedings
New Orleans-HQ firm with a dedicated Intellectual Property practice. Attorneys focus on protection and enforcement of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Routinely handles IP transactional and litigation matters for Louisiana businesses.
909 Poydras St, Suite 3150, New Orleans, LA 70112Founded 1940 (New Orleans HQ)Large (~100 attorneys; New Orleans HQ)
Practice focus: Trademark prosecution, IP litigation, technology licensing, copyright, trade secrets
New Orleans-HQ firm. Intellectual Property Practice Group encompasses virtually every aspect of trademark law. Recognized in Super Lawyers Louisiana for IP work and routinely retained by national and regional businesses for brand protection.
365 Canal St, Suite 2000, New Orleans, LA 70130Founded 1853 (New Orleans HQ)Large (~300 attorneys firmwide; New Orleans HQ)
Practice focus: Trademarks, copyrights, patents, trade secrets, USPTO registration, anti-counterfeiting, IP litigation
New Orleans-HQ firm. Intellectual Property practice covers all aspects of IP law with experience in trademark registration before the USPTO. Mary Ellen Roy is a recognized First Amendment and IP lawyer based in the New Orleans office.
1055 St. Charles Ave, Suite 218, New Orleans, LA 70130Founded Early 2000sBoutique (IP-only)
Practice focus: Patent prosecution and litigation, trademark prosecution, copyright, IP licensing, USPTO matters
New Orleans IP boutique. Kenneth L. Tolar focuses primarily on general intellectual property matters including patent, trademark and copyright prosecution, IP litigation and licensing. Useful for tech startups and small businesses wanting a non-AmLaw fee scale.
201 St. Charles Ave, 49th Floor, New Orleans, LA 70170Founded 1937 (New Orleans HQ)Large (~360 attorneys firmwide; largest New Orleans firm)
Practice focus: Trademark prosecution, copyright, trade secrets, IP transactions, IP litigation, technology licensing
Largest law firm in New Orleans. IP practice handles trademark prosecution, copyright matters, and IP litigation for regional and national clients across hospitality, energy, and consumer products sectors.
701 Poydras St, Suite 4500, New Orleans, LA 70139Founded 1951 (New Orleans HQ)Large (~300 attorneys firmwide; New Orleans HQ)
Practice focus: Trademark prosecution, copyright, IP litigation, technology transactions
New Orleans-HQ regional firm. IP practice serves clients across Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, and Tennessee with trademark, copyright, and IP litigation work. Recognized in Best Lawyers Best Law Firms.
Metairie / New Orleans, LAFounded Established practiceBoutique patent firm
Practice focus: Patent prosecution, patent litigation, trademark prosecution, USPTO matters, IP portfolio management
New Orleans-area patent boutique. Registered patent attorneys handling USPTO prosecution and patent litigation. Useful for inventors and tech companies needing patent-specific expertise without BigLaw rates.
New Orleans-HQ litigation-focused firm. Strong IP litigation bench, particularly for trademark disputes, trade secret misappropriation, and unfair competition cases. Recognized in Super Lawyers Louisiana.
3421 N Causeway Blvd, Suite 900, Metairie, LA 70002Founded 1985Mid (~60 attorneys; Metro New Orleans)
Practice focus: Trademark prosecution, copyright, IP enforcement, IP-related commercial litigation
Metairie/New Orleans firm with trademark and IP practice. Useful for Louisiana businesses needing trademark registration and enforcement work alongside general commercial counsel.
201 St. Charles Ave, Suite 4500, New Orleans, LA 70170Founded 1992 (New Orleans HQ)Mid (~30 attorneys; New Orleans HQ)
Practice focus: Intellectual property litigation, trademark and copyright disputes, trade secret litigation, complex commercial IP matters
New Orleans-HQ firm. Attorneys have been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2026. IP practice handles trademark, copyright, and trade secret matters for Louisiana and Gulf Coast clients.
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What to expect from a New Orleans ip / trademarks matter
Trademark federal registration takes 8 to 14 months from filing to registration if no Office Action issues. Patent prosecution runs 18 to 36 months. Copyright registration takes 3 to 9 months. Trademark cease-and-desist usually resolves in 30 to 90 days. TTAB opposition or cancellation runs 12 to 18 months. Federal IP infringement litigation typically runs 18 to 30 months through trial. Trade secret matters often move faster (preliminary injunction practice within 60 to 120 days).
What a ip / trademarks lawyer in New Orleans typically costs
New Orleans IP ranges for 2026: Trademark search and federal registration $1,500 to $3,500 per class flat. Patent application (utility) $7,500 to $25,000 flat plus USPTO fees. Copyright registration $400 to $1,200 plus filing fee. Cease-and-desist letter $1,500 to $5,000. TTAB opposition $25,000 to $75,000. Federal IP litigation $250,000 to $2M+ through trial. IP licensing agreement $3,500 to $20,000 flat. Hourly rates: $275 to $475 boutique, $450 to $850 mid/large firm, $600 to $1,200+ BigLaw partner.
Red flags to watch for when picking a ip / trademarks lawyer in New Orleans
Most New Orleans firms doing this work are competent. A few patterns predict trouble.
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can guarantee a result. If a firm promises a specific outcome, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior partner at intake, then never speak to them again. The matter is handled by an unsupervised junior or paralegal. Ask in writing who will be your day-to-day attorney.
Pressure to sign immediately. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing, time to read it, and the option to take it home. High-pressure intake is almost always a sign of a volume mill, not a careful practice.
No verifiable track record. The firm should be able to point to verdicts, settlements, peer rankings, or bar recognition. Specific numbers, named matters, and third-party rankings are evidence. Brochure phrasing is not.
Vague fee terms. "Do not worry about cost" is a red flag. Every legitimate New Orleans firm will give you a written engagement letter with the fee structure, what is covered, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you change counsel.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most New Orleans firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial inquiry call. Use it. Bring a list of questions and write down the answers. Compare across at least two firms before you sign.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day-to-day? Get a name. Get an email.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the answer in writing before you sign.
What case expenses am I responsible for, and when? Out-of-pocket costs surprise people. Ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes for a matter like mine? A good lawyer will give you a range. A bad one will promise the high end.
How long will it take? Honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
Who else might be involved? Experts? Co-counsel? Larger matters routinely involve outside experts. Know who is on the team.
How and how often will I hear from you? Email-only? Calls? Monthly updates? Set the expectation now.
What happens if I want to change lawyers later? Rules allow it; the fee is sorted between firms. Make sure you understand the mechanics.
What is the worst-case outcome for my matter? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a trademark registration to protect my brand?
Not for basic common-law trademark rights, which arise from use in commerce. But federal registration on the USPTO Principal Register provides nationwide notice, the right to use the registered trademark symbol, presumption of validity and ownership, the ability to record with U.S. Customs, and access to federal court jurisdiction. For any brand worth protecting, registration is worth the modest cost.
How long does a trademark last?
Indefinitely, as long as you continue using it in commerce and file the required maintenance documents. Section 8 declaration of use is due between the 5th and 6th year after registration. Section 9 renewal is due every 10 years. Failure to file either causes cancellation.
What is the difference between a patent and a trademark?
A patent protects an invention (utility patent) or ornamental design (design patent) for a limited time (20 years for utility, 15 years for design from the filing date). A trademark protects a brand name, logo, slogan, or other source-identifier indefinitely as long as it remains in use. You can have both - a product can be patented and sold under a trademarked brand.
Can I file my own trademark application?
Yes - the USPTO accepts pro se filings. But trademark identification of goods and services, classification, specimen requirements, and office action responses are technical. Errors at filing can be expensive or fatal to the application. Most commercial brands hire counsel.
What is a TTAB opposition?
A proceeding before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), an administrative tribunal within the USPTO. An opposition is filed within 30 days after a trademark application publishes for opposition, to challenge the application's registration. A cancellation is filed after registration. TTAB proceedings are similar to federal court litigation but limited to registrability issues.
How do I enforce my trademark?
Three escalating steps: (1) cease-and-desist letter ($1,500 to $5,000), (2) TTAB opposition or cancellation if the conflicting mark is at the USPTO ($25,000 to $75,000+), (3) federal court infringement litigation ($250,000+). Most infringement matters resolve at step 1 or 2.
What is the patent inter partes review (IPR) process?
IPR is a USPTO post-grant proceeding before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) where a party can challenge an issued patent's validity. Less expensive than district court litigation and faster (12 to 18 months). Commonly used as a counter-strategy in patent litigation.
Does Louisiana have unique IP issues?
Louisiana civil law affects some IP-adjacent areas (contracts, fiduciary duties, prescriptive periods) in ways that differ from common-law states. Federal IP law (Lanham Act, Patent Act, Copyright Act) governs the substantive IP rights and is uniform nationwide. Louisiana has its own Uniform Trade Secrets Act variation that matters for trade secret cases.
What about international trademark protection?
Two paths: file directly in each country (expensive but tailored) or file a Madrid Protocol application through the USPTO that designates multiple countries. Madrid is administratively simpler but has classification limits. Pick a firm with international trademark experience for any non-US brand expansion.
Should I use a patent attorney or a patent agent?
Patent attorneys are licensed lawyers admitted to a state bar and registered to practice before the USPTO. Patent agents are USPTO-registered but not lawyers. Both can prosecute patents at the USPTO. Only patent attorneys can litigate patent infringement in federal court or give legal advice on related matters (contracts, licensing, opinion letters).
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you everything. — The LawFirmSquare team
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