Deborah Gubernick is a partner in the firm's intellectual property and commercial litigation groups. She helps small and large clients protect and defend their brands and business in the U.S. and abroad. She has litigated cases in state and federal courts and has handled over 100 matters before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Debbie routinely litigates trademark, copyright and trade secret cases, as well as cases involving false advertising, breach of contract, unfair competition and more. She has negotiated assignments, settlements, trademark co-existence agreements and licenses involving household brand names, high-end retailers, famous clothing brands, national sports leagues and more. Debbie has provided IP diligence support on multi-million dollar and billion-dollar transactions and routinely provides strategic counseling and assistance for her clients’ global trademark portfolios.
Represented multiple nationally recognized brand-owners in over 100 opposition/cancellation matter before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB)
Represented multiple high-end retail store Defendants and brand owner in trademark infringement case
Represented Plaintiff, a family-owned addiction recovery, behavioral health, and therapeutic transitional living business in protecting its key trademark and trade name
Represented Plaintiff Company in trademark litigation against former founder and co-owner
Defended specialty grocery store chain in infringement action
Represented Plaintiff in highly contested and emotional trademark, copyright infringement and trade secrets misappropriation case
Represented nationally recognized gas service station company in branding dispute with franchisee
Defended well-known apparel and accessories brand licensee in breach of contract dispute involving its worldwide licensor
Represented Plaintiff in trade secret misappropriation case
Litigated breach of contract case related to highly technical software license on behalf of Plaintiff before the American Arbitration Association
Represented privately held, well known hotel chain in IP diligence aspects of multi-billion dollar leveraged buy-out and assumed debt transaction
Represented purchaser in trademark assignment aspects of multi-million-dollar transaction and asset purchase
Represented seller in multi-million-dollar sale of luxury golf apparel brand
Assisted multiple companies in the worldwide assignment/recordal of assignment of intellectual property rights
University of San Diego School of Law
Research Editor - San Diego Law Review; Member - San Diego Law Review
Externship - Hon. Judge Gary L. Taylor (Ret.) - United States District Court - Central District
Brigham Young University (B.A., English)
Language Lab Assistant - Spanish emphasis
International Trademark Association, Member
Orange County Bar Association - Intellectual Property Section, Member
J. Reuben Clark Law Society
American Bar Association - Intellectual Property Section, Member
"Intellectual Property," Presenter, Volcom's Annual MBA Academy (2011)
“When Consumers Get Confused,” Author, Trademark World (April 1, 2010)
"UCLA IP Fiat Lux Seminar," Guest Lecturer (Fall 2009, Fall 2010)
“The United States Patent and Trademark Office Amends Rules Governing Inter Partes Proceedings Before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board," Author, Client Alert (February 6, 2008)
“Post-Trial Motions," "Trademarks 101," "Elimination of Bias," CLE Presenter
Southern California Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Edition - Top Women Attorneys of Southern California, Business Litigation (2014, 2016)
Southern California Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Edition, Intellectual Property and Technology (2013-2015)
Women of Outstanding Leadership, The International Women's Leadership Association (2014)
