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With 18 offices, from New York to Los Angeles and Seattle to Orlando, we live and work in communities all over the U.S., collaborating across locations, disciplines and even borders. Our experienced, highly ranked lawyers serve businesses wherever they are and wherever they want to go.

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Am Law 100 firm with practices in Business, Digital Assets and Data Management, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, Litigation and Tax.

Home | BakerHostetler

The Privacy Strategist – Data on (and off) the Playing Field: The Business of Sports Data

BakerHostetler Represents McGohan Brabender in Acquisition by Higginbotham

Elise Elam Joins Panel on AI-Accelerated Adversaries at CrowdTour Columbus

Antitrust Advocate

State Action Update (Part II): Fifth Circuit Reaffirms Narrow Municipal Immunity in Megatel Homes v. City of Mansfield

Susan has significant experience obtaining and defeating temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions in trademark and copyright matters, including complex contributory infringement matters on behalf of brands. A leading trademark lawyer for both contentious and non-contentious matters, Susan manages multibillion-dollar global trademark portfolios; negotiates multijurisdictional disputes; and leads IP due diligence for brand acquisitions. She has achieved significant victories for clients before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and the National Arbitration Forum. Susan’s copyright experience includes the protection and enforcement of works such as fabric designs, artwork and architectural plans, and she represents clients on moral rights under the Visual Artists Rights Act.

Susan also focuses on advertising litigation, defending clients against false claims under the Lanham Act. She is relied upon to provide important counsel on trademark, copyright and publicity issues in advertising campaigns, and she trains companies on U.S. advertising law compliance and counsels on Section 5 of the FTC Act, covering testimonials, endorsements, online marketing, product efficacy claims, the FTC’s Green Guides and "Made in the USA" claims.

In addition, Susan advises clients on the intersection of intellectual property and emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, offering guidance on compliance policies, AI best practices, vendor agreement review and risk management.

Susan has been named as an “IP Trailblazer” by the National Law Journal and an “IP Star” multiple times by Managing Intellectual Property. She is also regularly recognized by the World Trademark Review as a leading trademark practitioner (both litigation and non-contentious).

core/freeform

J.D., American University Washington College of Law, 1993, 

B.A., Communications, American University, 1989

<ul>
<li>Chambers USA Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright &amp; Trade Secrets in Washington, D.C. (2025)
<ul>
<li>Band 3 (2025 to 2026)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Legal 500 United States
<ul>
<li>Recommended in Trademarks: Non-Contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing) (2024)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>World IP Review: Leader (2025)</li>
<li>WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals (2011 to 2024, 2026)</li>
<li>Managing IP, Corporate IP Stars: Trademark Star (2014, 2016 to 2025)</li>
<li>National Law Journal “IP Trailblazer” (2014)</li>
<li>The Financial Times, most innovative U.S. litigations: Lead lawyer for “Standout” trademark litigation Chloé SAS v. SISCOM (2013)</li>
</ul>

Washington, D.C.

New York

Chambers USA Guide 2026 Recognizes 179 BakerHostetler Attorneys and 81 Practice Areas

Susan Kayser, Heather McDonald Speak, Elyssa Kates Moderates New York Women’s Bar Association Panel

Susan Kayser Presents on NBI AI Prompting Deep Dive for Lawyers Virtual Program

Susan Kayser Participates in The Fashion Law Webinar on Dupes Defense Playbook

2026 BHIPP - BakerHostetler IP Perspective

Guardian at the Gate: AI’s Role in Trademark Enforcement

IP Intelligence Report

Dupes, Design and Trade Dress: Drawing a Line After Apollo v. Sol de Janeiro

Susan Kayser Joins Panel at Federal Bar Association Intellectual Property Law Section 2026 Art and Fashion Law Conference

BakerHostetler Notches Early Victory for American Humane Association

BakerHostetler Global Trademark and Brand Protection Team Garners 2026 WTR 1000 Recognitions

Katherine Lowry, Susan Kayser Join Panel at Luxury Law Summit New York 2025

Battle of the BUs: Baylor University Challenges Boston University’s Use of Interlocking ‘BU’ Design Mark

The GOAT Dispute: A Spirited Defense Against ‘Trademark Bullying’ or Savvy Enforcement Strategy in the Age of E-Commerce?

ADventures in Law CLE Webinar: Trademark and False Advertising Collision

Managing IP Announces 2025 IP Stars

Chambers USA Guide 2025 Recognizes 171 BakerHostetler Attorneys and 73 Practice Areas

Welcome New Lateral (and Returning) Partners

BakerHostetler Kicks Off 2025 with Addition of Intellectual Property Partner in Washington and Two Labor and Employment Partners in Chicago

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Intellectual Property

Global Trademark and Brand Protection

Advertising, Marketing and Digital Media

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

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Retail

Copyright

<ul>
<li>Represented a leading, global specialty retailer in trademark infringement lawsuit against two global clothing brands relating to their use of a core trademark design on clothing. Leveraged global enforcement actions in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and EU, resulting in favorable resolution for the client.</li>
<li>Represented a children&#8217;s organic snack manufacturer before the National Advertising Division in which a favorable decision was granted to client.</li>
<li>Defended group of clothing companies and designers in which dismissal of all claims was granted in case involving trademark and copyright infringement allegations brought by a fashion brand relating to alleged copying of designs used on clothing and other items.</li>
<li>Defended a lingerie company against a fitness company’s claims of trademark infringement, unfair competition/passing off and related state law claims relating to trademark for active apparel and related marketing. All claims were dismissed with prejudice.</li>
<li>Represented a nonprofit organization in defending against a photographer’s claims of copyright infringement relating to use of a photograph on social media. All claims were dismissed with prejudice.</li>
<li>Represented a fashion brand in defending a lawsuit brought by pro se plaintiff that named over 25 retail manufacturing defendants, in which plaintiff alleged trademark rights in the geographic terms. The case against the client was resolved successfully in its favor.</li>
<li>IP counsel to international corporation on its acquisitions of clothing and accessories brands, including acquisition of all trademarks, copyrights and domain names, and related license arrangements.</li>
<li>Served as lead trademark counsel for six luxury brand plaintiffs. A summary judgment was granted on contributory trademark infringement and counterfeiting claims against large B2B website, and obtained multiple favorable pre-trial rulings, including highly contested jurisdictional claims over website owner and operator located outside the U.S., and dismissal of all of defendants&#8217; counterclaims including wrongful seizure and violation of the Stored Communications Act and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.</li>
<li>On behalf of three apparel brands, obtained a $31 million damages award, permanent injunction and transfer of multiple domain names in an action to combat the unauthorized and counterfeit uses of the plaintiffs&#8217; famous trademarks in multiple domain names and copycat websites.</li>
<li>On behalf of multinational consumer goods corporation, secured a consent judgment and permanent injunction against a private-label manufacturer infringing the trade dress packaging and trademarks of successful personal care products.</li>
<li>On behalf of an apparel brand, secured TRO and preliminary injunction against multiple manufacturers and sellers infringing the trade dress of handbags and travel bags.</li>
</ul>

Susan M. Kayser

Susan M. Kayser

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