About Carolyn M. Passen

Carolyn Passen focuses her practice on intellectual property litigation and counseling, with an emphasis on trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. She also litigates claims involving false advertising, unfair competition and defamation.

A thoughtful and practical approach to intellectual property

Carolyn regularly advises clients on how to best protect and defend their intellectual property and avoid infringement disputes. Her clients include Fortune 100 companies and other well-known brands in the fashion, technology, pharmaceutical and hospitality industries. She also defends major media corporations against claims of defamation stemming from statements made during public broadcasts or in the press.

Clients value Carolyn's judgment and practical approach to trademark clearance, prosecution, risk mitigation and enforcement strategies. She has represented clients in federal district courts and appellate courts throughout the country, as well as before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and US International Trade Commission. Many of her cases have been cited as precedent and discussed in professional journals due to the high profile and cutting-edge nature of the litigation involved. In addition, Carolyn often negotiates highly sensitive and confidential trademark acquisitions on behalf of clients.

Carolyn has helped a variety of artists, nonprofits, and start-up companies protect their brands as a volunteer for Lawyers for the Creative Arts, and through the firm's pro bono program.

While in law school, Carolyn served as an editor of the Law Review. She also externed with the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. Carolyn has been a member of the firm's Intellectual Property department since joining the firm as a summer associate.

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Practice Focus

  • Intellectual property
  • Intellectual property litigation
  • Trademarks and trademark litigation
  • Copyrights and copyright litigation
  • Trade secret protection and litigation
  • Entertainment and media litigation
  • Litigation

News

Publications

Practices
Industries
Education
  • DePaul University College of Law, JD, cum laude
  • Miami University, BA, cum laude
Bar Admissions
  • Illinois
Court Admissions
  • US Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Community Involvements
  • American Bar Association
  • The Chicago Bar Association
Recognitions
Recognized or listed in the following:
  • Chambers USA
    Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets, 2022–2024
  • Best Lawyers in America
    Trademark Law, 2023–2025
  • Super Lawyers Rising Stars
    Illinois, 2009–2010, 2014
Award Methodologies