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Danielle K. Muñoz
"Trademarks and copyrights are incredibly valuable assets that build brand loyalty, prevent consumer confusion, and block competitors from taking advantage of your creativity. I love helping clients protect their brands and creative works."

Danielle K. MuñozPartner

Chicago
120 South LaSalle Street
Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60603VCard
312.577.7000 
312.577.7007 fax
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Education

J.D., Indiana University Maurer School of Law, 2013
B.A., Creative Writing & Spanish, Hope College, 2009, summa cum laude

Services

Bar & Court Admissions

IllinoisU.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Recognition

Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers – Rising Stars for Intellectual Property Law (2023)

Danielle K. Muñoz’s practice focuses on trademark and copyright clearance and prosecution, brand protection, and general IP counseling. As a former Trademark Examining Attorney at the USPTO, Dani brings a unique perspective and efficient approach to counseling clients on prosecution strategy and trademark clearance, resulting in a strong track record of successful brand protection. Other areas of counseling include IP ownership issues, assignments and licenses, due diligence during acquisitions, protection of proprietary software, domain name disputes, and trade secret protection.

As a part of her brand protection practice, Dani defends against claims of infringement and enforces clients’ intellectual property rights. She has commercial and trademark litigation experience in federal court and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), and regularly handles cease-and-desist letters and settlement negotiations.

Dani has worked with clients in many different industries, including craft brewing, publishing, insurance, healthcare and pharmacy services and solutions, broadband and Wi-Fi services and software, medical devices, and consumer goods.

Prior to joining Fitch Even, Dani worked at a commercial law firm. She graduated from Hope College, summa cum laude, and pursued a Fulbright Scholarship before attending Indiana University Maurer School of Law, where she served as an Editor on the Indiana Law Journal. Dani is committed to providing pro bono legal services and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession. 



Frequently overcomes substantive refusals issued by the USPTO, successfully registering clients’ trademarks.

Educates business and marketing teams on intellectual property basics and trademark best practices.

Implemented strategy for protection of proprietary software and related branding for pharmacy solutions innovator.

Overcame descriptiveness refusal for trademark that was advised as potentially generic, obtaining registration on the Principal Register.

Managed trademark portfolio and provided clearance opinions for new product names and brands for Fortune 100 insurance company.

Successfully rebutted cease-and-desist letters sent to nonprofit organization for alleged copyright infringement seeking monetary damages for use of images online.

Presentations

  • “The Latest Changes in Copyrights & Trademarks,” Fitch Even Webinar, November 2, 2023.
  • “Raising the Bar: A Virtual Panel Discussion on LGBTQ+ Diversity in Law,” Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee of Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago (IPLAC), June 30, 2021.
  • "Loyola's Young Attorneys Intellectual Property Panel," Loyola University Chicago School of Law and DePaul University College of Law, March 19, 2019.

Publications

  • Muñoz, D., “Aaron Judge Makes Triple Play in TTAB Opposition,” Licensing Journal, vol. 43, no. 7, August 2023: 26-27.
  • "Iancu v Brunetti," Intellectual Property Magazine, June 25, 2019.
  • Chicago Women in Intellectual Property
    • Co-Chair, Marketing Committee
    • DEI Steering Group
  • Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago (LAGBAC)
  • International Trademark Association

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