Monica R. Talley

Monica Talley is a Director and heads the Trademark & Brand Protection Practice at Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox. For more than 25 years, Ms. Talley has specialized in strategic trademark counseling and portfolio enhancement, developing anti-counterfeiting solutions and strategies, and resolving trademark disputes. She is ranked as one of the leading trademark attorneys in Washington, DC. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Talley worked in advertising and marketing and is particularly known for providing clients with creative and practical solutions that work within both business and legal parameters. She serves a broad base of international clients in the consumer products, apparel, food and beverage, manufacturing, telecom, music, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, information technology, media, and entertainment fields. Ms. Talley also represents numerous associations and non-profits, and works with clients in registering and enforcing certification marks. 

She frequently speaks and writes on trademark issues to a variety of public and private audiences. Ms. Talley has been active for many years in leading intellectual property organizations. She is the Vice Chair of IPO's Anti-Counterfeiting Committee and Co-Chair of AIPLA's Cannabis Subcommittee, serves on INTA’s Brands and Innovation Committee, and served as an editor for the Trademark Reporter for four years. Ms. Talley founded and has penned extensive content for Sterne Kessler’s well-read “MarkIt to Market” newsletter and other leading publications. She authored the trademark chapter of the Thomson Reuters Westlaw book, Patent Office Litigation -- Second Edition, and JD Supra recognized her with a “Reader’s Choice Award,” for excellence in writing and thought leadership in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. While attending law school at George Mason University School of Law, Ms. Talley worked as a trademark attorney assistant at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. She was also a GMUSL “Dean’s Scholar” and student taught the Legal Research and Writing Program.  Ms. Talley earned her BSBA in marketing and management from the University of Richmond.