Maria A. Scungio

Maria is an accomplished trademark practitioner, litigator, and educator.

She advises a wide diversity of clients, large and small, including Fortune 500 companies, in all aspects of their domestic and international trademark portfolio concerns. She has capably managed diverse portfolios totaling nearly 30,000 trademarks, advising companies within a broad cross-section of industries, including those in the skincare, apparel, footwear, jewelry, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, entertainment, healthcare services, and fiber laser technology sectors.

As a litigator, Maria has represented clients in federal courts nationwide, as well as before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and in other courts and administrative tribunals. Among other experience, she has managed cases involving intellectual property, cybersquatting, and commercial disputes. In addition, Maria has represented clients in domain name disputes and advised clients on court actions, administrative proceedings, and enforcement measures in other countries.

She is an Adjunct Professor at Fordham University School of Law where she teaches Trademark Law and Unfair Competition.

"I enjoy hiking, tennis, and gourmet cooking."

Honors & Recognitions

WTR 1000 - The World's Leading Trademark Professionals, Prosecution and Strategy (2012, 2016, 2021, 2024)

Community & Professional Activities

Fordham University School of Law – Adjunct Professor, Trademark Law & Unfair Competition (2022 to present)

International Trademark Association (1998 to present)

American Intellectual Property Law Association

• IP Harmonization Committee (2018 to present)
• IP Practice in Europe (2017 to present)

AIPPI - International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property

• AIPPI – US, Steering Committee (2005 to present)
• AIPPI – US, Chair (2016-2018)
• Standing Committee on Trademarks (2019-2022)
• Second Vice-President (2022 to present; will serve as global President in 2026)

New York American Inn of Court (2008-2020)

Pharmaceutical Trade Marks Group (2001–2012)

Experience

Maria is an accomplished trademark practitioner, litigator, and educator.

• She represents and counsels a wide diversity of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, in all aspects of their domestic and international trademark portfolio concerns, including, but not limited to, searching and clearance, applications for registration, portfolio management, enforcement and defense, including in relation to design patents, and negotiating and drafting licensing, assignment and coexistence agreements. She has capably managed diverse portfolios totaling nearly 30,000 trademarks.
• As a litigator, Maria has represented clients in federal courts nationwide, as well as before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and in other courts and administrative tribunals. Cases have included intellectual property, cybersquatting, and commercial disputes. In addition, Maria has represented clients in domain name disputes and advised clients on court actions, administrative proceedings and enforcement measures in other countries.
• She counsels on advertising clearance and other promotional programs, anti-counterfeiting, and other IP issues. She manages complex IP due diligence projects for spin-offs, mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate transactions, for a wide variety of consumer brands.
• Maria is also a lecturer and writer and has been recognized by the World Trademark Review 1000Directory of Leading Trademark Professionals in New York for both “Prosecution and Strategy” and “Enforcement and Litigation,” and has been recognized in Who’s Who Legal (2020-22). She is an Adjunct Professor at Fordham University School of Law where she teaches Trademark Law and Unfair Competition.

Prior Employment

Robinson & Cole, LLP, Partner (2019 – Feb. 2023)

Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, Partner (2017-2018)

Locke Lord LLP, Partner, formerly Edwards Wildman/Edwards Angell), Partner, Co-Chair, Trademark, Copyright & Advertising Practice (2007-2017)

Fross, Zelnick, Lehrman  & Zissu, P.C., Partner (2004-2006)

Pennie & Edmonds, LLP, Associate (1995-2002), Partner (2002-2003)

Law Clerk, Hon. Jane A. Restani, Court of International Trade (1993-95)