Hovey Williams Adds New Attorney
Overland Park, KS—The Kansas City area-based intellectual property (IP) law firm of Hovey Williams LLP recently announced the addition of Dianne M. Smith-Misemer to its team. Smith-Misemer serves as Of Counsel.
“Bringing Dianne on board was an easy decision to make, and she is an important addition to our team,” says Thomas H. Van Hoozer, Partner of Hovey Williams. “Her combination of knowledge and technical skill will be a valued asset to our clients and firm. We look forward to the contributions Dianne will make toward our firm’s success.”
Smith-Misemer’s practice is dedicated to trademark and technology law and related litigation. Her trademark practice spans brand development counseling, portfolio management and licensing to regular practice before the United Stats Patent & Trademark Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and infringement litigation. On the technology side, Smith-Misemer represents software developers, distributors and licensees in major high-tech procurement, development and licensing matters and contract disputes. Her practice also includes unfair competition, false advertising, copyright, trade secret and franchise matters. Prior to joining Hovey Williams, Smith-Misemer served as an associate at Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP.
Smith-Misemer’s clients range from individuals and start-up businesses to Fortune 500 companies and multinational corporations. Many of her trademark clients are foreign companies that she has gained through her long-standing involvement with the International Trademark Association (INTA). Smith-Misemer recently served as lead outside counsel for H&R Block Canada, Inc.’s launch of its first branded retail tax preparation software product in Canada. She also serves as outside trademark enforcement counsel for one of the largest U.S. household cleaning products and insect repellent manufacturers.
Smith-Misemer grew up in Kansas City and is a graduate of the DePaul University College of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor degree with highest honors in 1999. She was also selected to the university’s Order of the Coif, an honorary scholastic society, and served as a staff writer for the DePaul Law Review. Smith-Misemer received her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Santa Clara University in 1994. She is admitted to the Kansas Bar and Missouri Bar and is an active member of the INTA.
Founded in 1929, Hovey Williams LLP is an intellectual property law firm specializing in patents, trademarks, copyright, trade secret, and IP litigation. The firm’s practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office includes patent and trademark prosecution, appeals, oppositions, cancellations, and interferences. In addition, Hovey Williams has appeared before the United States Supreme Court, regional Courts of Appeal, the Federal Circuit for patent cases, and state courts. The firm comprises more than 20 attorneys and patent analysts, including 12 partners, who collectively possess over 300 years of IP experience. For more information about Hovey Williams, visit http://www.hoveywilliams.com.