PRACTICE FOCUS
With background in information technology, entertainment and medicine, and a love for global language, culture and food, Matthew Asbell works comfortably with clients in diverse industries. Matthew’s passion for his work in intellectual property arises from a deep appreciation for creativity, whether in the form of invention, design, expression or marketing. He assists clients in clearing, obtaining, enforcing and defending trademark rights in the United States and throughout the world, and advises on utility and design patents, copyrights, domain names and related areas.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, Matthew managed emerging singer-songwriters and recording artists, trained corporate employees of a pharmaceutical company to use software applications and studied medicine. Matthew is certified as a software Master Instructor and a Social Media Strategist. He serves as an adjunct professor of law and frequent guest lecturer at Fordham University and has taught at The Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (Yeshiva University), Columbia Universit and the Instituto Superior de Derecho y Economia (ISDE) in Madrid, Spain. He regularly mentors new lawyers and law students.
Outside of work, Matthew, a native of Philadelphia, enjoys spending time with his wife, a Brazilian staff member of the United Nations, and their twin children. He is the host of INTANGIFY, a weekly podcast on the intangible aspects of business. His interests range from music (including songwriting, piano, guitar, and percussion), cooking, SCUBA diving and martial arts.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- "NFTs and the Metaverse: What are the Lessons Moving Forward for Brands?”, 2023 Art and Fashion Law Conference, Federal Bar Association, April 4, 2023
- "Intellectual Property as an Asset and Ethical Behavior in Bankruptcy," Accountant-Lawyer Alliance, April 2023 & December 2022
- "Reexamining Reexamination (and Expungement): A Practitioner’s Guide to the Early Days of Ex Parte TMA Proceedings", Intellectual Property Law Spring Conference, April 2022
- “U.S. Trademark Law Developments," Emily C. & John E. Hansen Intellectual Property Institute at Fordham Law School, April 2022 (Moderator)
- "Mobile Apps: Navigating Intellectual Property, Data Privacy, and Cybersecurity," Strafford, October 2020 (Presenter)
- "Temporary Non-Use of Trademarks in the Age of COVID," American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law, August 2020 (Presenter)
- "Global Search and Trademark Filing Strategies Post-Madrid," 24th Annual Intellectual Property Law: The Year in Review, Law Society of Ontario, January 2020 (Speaker)
- "The Madrid Protocol: Practical Strategies to Filing a ‘Universal Application’…or Not, Panelist, Canada’s New Trademark Regime: The Practical, Tactical Guide to Navigating the Sweeping Changes," Osgoode Professional Development Centre, April 2019 (Speaker)
- "Fundamentals of U.S. Intellectual Property Law," Centro de Estudios Garrigues, Fordham University, Annually (Speaker)
- "Fundamentals of Intellectual Property Law," Summer Institute, Fordham University, Annually (Speaker)
- "Building and Protecting Your Brand in a New Media Environment," Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), May 2019 (Speaker)
- "Making Section 2(f) Claims: Demonstrating Acquired Distinctiveness," Strafford, (Presenter)
*Other speaking engagements available upon request.
PUBLICATIONS & MEDIA
- "MetaBirkin NFT verdict boosts trademark counsel confidence", Managing IP, February 10, 2023 (extensively quoted in article)
- "The USPTO Has Enacted the Trademark Modernization Act: But Now What?", Landslide, Vol. 14, No. 4, June/July 2022 (Co-Author)
- IP Fridays, Episode 119: Rise of Mass Trademark Filers and Register Clutter – Interview with Matthew D. Asbell, May, 28, 2021
- "So, Your U.S. Trademark Registration Is Being Audited," com, Lexology.com & others, January 2018 (Author)
- "The Designer Formerly Known As…Intellectual Property Issues Arising From Personal Names As Fashion Brands, Trademark Reporter," International Trademark Association, November/December 2017 (Author)
*Other publications available upon request.
RECOGNITIONS
*The Super Lawyers lists are issued by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found at http://www.superlawyers.com/about/selection_process_detail.html. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by any Court.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
"I’ve known Matthew for years through bar association events and knew him to always be thoughtful and extremely knowledgeable. When the opportunity came for me to seek expert counsel in trademark matters, I knew to talk to Matthew and his team. He provides high level advice, anticipating where we could stumble and offering innovative solutions every step of the way. He is on top of changes in the law and procedure and appreciates the need for a business solution to business problems."
— Jennifer Chung, General Counsel, Accuweather, Inc. and formerly, Assistant General Counsel, Time, Inc.
“Matthew is one of the top experts I have ever found. He has a strong subject-matter expertise in trademark law, especially cross-border differences. He brings a global mindset to my portfolio. He is fantastically upfront and straightforward about billing arrangements and pricing strategies. I would highly recommend Matthew to clients looking for IP advice.” - WTR1000 2023
I believe that my clients appreciate not only my legal skills but that I am their faithful ally, authentic and personalized in my approach, responsive to their needs within or beyond my areas of practice, and clear in my communications.
Skip to content