Heather Dunn

Heather Angelina Dunn

Partner
Palo Alto (Silicon Valley)San Francisco
About

Heather Dunn concentrates her practice on trademark and brand protection, intellectual property portfolios, licensing, and enforcement, international promotions, advertising, sweepstakes, contests, influencer marketing, charitable promotions, rewards programs, digital media, and art law.  

Heather counsels clients concerning selection and registrability of trademarks, domestically and abroad; prosecutes trademark applications; counsels and negotiates on trademark and copyright infringement matters, domain name disputes, and trade dress matters; represents clients in Trademark Trial and Appeal Board proceedings; and manages large-scale global trademark protection and enforcement programs. She leads intellectual property diligence and negotiations in mergers and acquisitions, and represents clients in brand license, media, and promotions deals. Heather also regularly counsels clients regarding compliance issues for advertising campaigns, sweepstakes and contests, charitable co-ventures, influencer marketing, social media promotions, and regarding unfair or deceptive practices in a variety of industries.

Areas of FocusLife SciencesMedia, Sport and EntertainmentIntellectual Property
Bar admissionsCalifornia

Awards

The Legal 500 United States

  • Recommended, Trademarks: Non-Contentious (including Prosecution, Portfolio Management and Licensing), (2012 – 2013, 2015, 2025)
    The Legal 500 comments, "The 'responsive' Heather Dunn in San Francisco is also recommended, especially for internet matters."
  • Recommended, Technology: Transactions, (2017)
    The Legal 500 comments, "Heather Dunn, who divides her time between San Francisco and Silicon Valley, is 'a thoughtful, patient adviser who considers clients' future strategies.'"
Additional Recognitions
  • Recommended, Bronze Band, United States: California, The World's Leading Trademark Professionals, WTR 1000, (2026)
  • Recommended, The World's Leading Trademark Professionals, WTR 1000, (2018, 2023)
Education
  • J.D., University of San Francisco
  • B.F.A., Rhode Island School of Design

Bylines

Seminars

  • Panelist, "Social Media Marketing: The brand's perspective and the agency's view," DLA Piper's Trademark, Copyright and Advertising Speaker Series, 26, January 2023
  • Presenter, "Hot topics in advertising and marketing law," DLA Piper CLE, Orlando, FL, May 22, 2016
  • Faculty, "IP Issues in the Food and Beverage Industries," Non-Traditional Marks in the Food and Beverage Industry, The Seminar Group, October 16, 2014
  • Panelist, "Non-Traditional Trademarks and Trade Dress in the Pharmaceutical and Biotech Fields," Trademark Aspects of Pharmaceutical and Biotech, Practicing Law Institute, March 5, 2010

Prior Experience

  • Assistant to J.T. McCarthy (author of treatises McCarthy on Trademarks and Unfair Competition and Rights of Publicity and Privacy)
  • San Francisco City Attorney's Office, Law Clerk to City Departments of Art and Culture, including Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco Arts Commission; and San Francisco Film Commission

Civic and Charitable

  • Unfair Competition Committee Member, Policy Subcommittee Chair, International Trademark Association
  • Government and Legal Affairs Committee Member, Association of National Advertisers/Brand Activation Association
  • Pro Bono Panel Member, California Lawyers for the Arts

Memberships And Affiliations

  • California Bar Association
  • Intellectual Property Section, San Francisco Bar Association
  • Emerging Issues Committee, International Trademark Association
  • Association of National Advertisers / Brand Activation Association

My latest insights

Publication
Camera on mountain

Influencer Marketing Guide: What your business needs to know

10 April 2022 .1 minute read

Publication
Abstract view of canyon

Advertising Laws of the World

6 September 2022 .1 minute read

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Connect

Phone

+1 415 836 2557
(Work, San Francisco)
+1 650 833 2000
(Work, Silicon Valley)