Overview
Melissa Dillenbeck understands the global value of corporate brands and helps clients manage these valuable assets. As a trusted adviser to major corporations and other entities on branding, Melissa ensures that clients understand and implement branding and marketing practices for protection and profit. She advises Fortune 50 companies on branding and marketing practices associated with mission-critical product launches and assists with enforcement of trademarks and trade dress and the policing of counterfeit products.
Brand Management Counsel
Melissa helps companies develop, manage and monetize trademark portfolios. She assists with the selection, acquisition, protection, licensing and management of domestic and international trademarks. Melissa recognizes that each client’s needs are unique, and her advice prioritizes their goals for the brand.
Advertising and Promotions
Melissa reviews advertising campaigns for legal compliance and represents clients in false advertising disputes. Her experience ranges from traditional media to digital media. Clients also value Melissa’s experience structuring sweepstakes, contests and promotions. She advises consumer products companies so that campaigns comply with state and federal laws and meet client goals.
Personal Interests
Melissa is a former competitive figure skater and is now a national judge for U.S. Figure Skating. She is an avid reader of fiction.
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Illinois
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Education
Chicago-Kent College of Law
J.D. (2001)
Northwestern University
B.A. (1997)
Insights & Events
Latest
Insights
Other Perspectives
Firm Blog Contributions
- TCAM Today – uncomplicated, practical, day-to-day advice about how to build, protect or monetize a brand
Leadership & Community
Pro Bono
- Lawyers for the Creative Arts — Volunteer
- WITS (Working in the Schools — Volunteer Tutor for Chicago Public Schools
- Lawyers in the Classroom — Volunteer Instructor for Chicago Public Schools
Professional Associations
- International Trademark Association
- Brand Activation Association
Civic Activities
- U.S. Figure Skating, Sanctions and Eligibility Committee — Past National Chair
- U.S. Figure Skating — Regional Vice Chair for Judges
Firm Leadership
- Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP — Co-Chair, Advertising and Promotions Team
Honors
- World Trademark Review 1000 — World’s Leading Trademark Professionals (Illinois), 2023
- Leading Lawyers — Illinois Emerging Lawyer, 2015
- Legal 500 — “Trademarks: Non-Contentious,” 2019
- Illinois Super Lawyers — Rising Star, 2010-11, 2015