Staci Trager

• Prevailed as nation-wide counsel in multi-district litigation of class action “greenwashing” false advertising and related claims for a top fashion brand with motions to dismiss.
• Successfully resolved trademark and right of publicity claims on the eve of trial for a deceased celebrity, establishing that photographers must receive a license before commercializing images of celebrities.
• First chair of a federal copyright trial for a large clothing retailer that dealt with numerous novel copyright and damages issues and resulted in significant post-trial relief. This case set new law in both the Ninth Circuit and before the United States Supreme Court.
• Successfully defended the estate of a notorious American rapper in a copyright infringement case based on the lyrics of one of the artist's song. The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the district court's finding of fair use. This is the first fair use ruling for music lyrics and is the first fair use ruling affirmed with a written decision.
• Lead trial counsel in a federal jury trial resulting in a transfer of trademark to the client and significant money judgement.
• Lead counsel in parallel ITC and district court cases for a global consumer products brand involving trademark infringement and sneakers.
• Successfully secured a no money settlement for a defendant in ITC case involving the patented process to distress denim jeans on the eve of trial.
• Defended multiple class action privacy lawsuits for well-established brands, in numerous states including New York, California and in Illinois (improperly collect biometric information under BIPA).
• Won a motion to dismiss for a national retailer in a trademark and trade dress infringement matter.
• Secured a Preliminary Injunction in a trademark and right of publicity case.
• Successfully resolved copyright claims brought by a multinational music company and its affiliates against a fitness apparel and accessories manufacturer and retailer and its influencers regarding their use of music in social media posts.
• Obtained dismissal on the pleadings in several copyright infringement cases involving fabric designs.
• Represented a well-known rap artist in a copyright infringement case involving music sampling.
• Defended and counseled hundreds of clients on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) website's compliance and related claims (NY and CA).
• Represented a brand owner in a trademark infringement, dilution, fraud, and cyberpiracy case.
• Successfully resolved numerous enforcement actions brought by the FTC involving social media and traditional marketing.

Transactional Matters

• Guided several well-known brands in response to high-profile data breaches as well as other situations requiring crisis public relations work.
• Negotiated and drafted agreements for the first “virtual reality” concert presented by 90’s hip hop stars held on the metaverse of a well-known social media platform, including the production agreements and clearance work for same.
• Represented talent and brands in a variety of NFT and Web3 related deals.
• Represented several international fashion retailers in establishing US operations, including drafting employee handbooks, leasing retail and distribution space, negotiating and drafting marketing, advertisement and promotion agreements, as well as regulatory/compliance work.
• Negotiated a variety of scripted and unscripted television and digital content deals.
• Represented a lifestyle brand in a partnership agreement with a national financial institution that included a national co-branded television commercial.
• Represented a celebrity in a hybrid licensing/endorsement deal that utilized social commerce and geo location.
• Represented a licensor in a direct-to-retail licensing deal with a major specialty retailer.
• Represented a celebrity in an endorsement/sponsorship deal that included a Super Bowl commercial.
• Represented a licensor in a fashion licensing agreement to create a diffusion line.
• Represented a publicly traded company in launching a fashion brand as a brand extension, using its internationally known trademarks and reputation.
• Represented a celebrity seeking both financing and a partner to start a branded clothing line.
• Represented the fastest growing accessory retailer in establishing its own entertainment division and forming its own record label, as well as event production work for a branded event including securing talent, venue, and sponsorship.
• Represented partners in negotiations and forming a new fashion business.
• Represented a lifestyle clothing fashion designer in a co-branding agreement with a well-known entertainment venue.

World Trademark Review

• Recognized in WTR 1000 (2022 - 2024)

Super Lawyers

• Recognized for Intellectual Property Litigation (2017 - 2021, 2024)
• Recognized in Rising Stars (2013 - 2014)

Best Lawyers

• Recognized in Best Lawyers in America 2024 for Copyright and Litigation - Intellectual Property
• Recognized every year since 2019

Los Angeles Business Journal

• Named one of the top 100 lawyers (2023)

• Co-author, "Upcycling and Infringement: Cut From the Same Cloth?" New York Law Journal, August 26, 2024
• Co-author, "How Fashion Companies Can Reduce Litigation Risks and Strengthen Compliance," New York Law Journal, July 2020

• Presenter, "High Tech in High Fashion," IBA Annual Meeting, November 2023
• Presenter, "State of Play in the Metaverse, AI and Web3," IBA Metaverse Conference, September 2023
• Presenter, "Greenwashing and Greenhushing," Stockholm September 2023
• Presenter and Mentor, "Trademark and Branding," European Innovation Academy, July 2023
• Presenter, "Out of this world! - trademark protection in outer space," IBA 5th Silicon Beach Conference: From Start-Up to Exit, January 2023
• Presenter, "Opportunities and Challenges for US Fashion Brands Amid Pandemic: Business and Legal Perspectives," 2nd China Fashion Law Symposium, Webinar, October 2020
• Panelist, "The Women Running BigLaw," Loyola Law School, October 2020
• Panelist, "IP Litigation During the Pandemic," Nixon Peabody LLP, October 2020

• Mentioned, "Notorious B.I.G. Estate Settles Lawsuit Against Famed Photographer Over World Trade Center Image," Billboard, January 16, 2024
• Mentioned, "H&M Slips Missouri Greenwashing Suit Over 'Conscious' Line," Law360, May 15, 2023
• Mentioned, "H&M Again Asks Supreme Court To Review Copyright Loss," Law360, April 21, 2023
• Quoted, "Virtual try-on is being hit by class actions.  Should brands worry," Vogue Business, March 7, 2023
• Mentioned, "What the Metabirkins verdict means for the future of Web3 fashion," Vogue Business, February 10, 2023
• Mentioned, "Hip-Hop Mogul and Gap Officially End Their Partnership," New York Times, September 15, 2022