Cranfill Sumner LLP

CSH Law brings a depth of experience, understanding, and resources to the unique and rapidly changing field of intellectual property. We develop and implement strategies to manage and monetize IP portfolios for future profits and growth. Our IP services include:

• Patent prosecution and litigation: We provide a complete range of patent legal services, including acquisition, maintenance, and enforcement of patent rights.
• Trademarks and copyrights: We can help you understand the full value of your trademark and copyright assets and how best to use and protect them. We’re well versed in helping clients determine the strength of trademarks or copyrights; clearing, registering, and monitoring trademarks and copyrights; and policing them through enforcement strategies aimed at solidifying and ensuring proper compensation for intellectual capital.
• Internet and domain names: The Internet changed the way we do business and experience entertainment, and now its influence is going mobile and becoming more socially interactive. Our attorneys assess and anticipate the e-commerce and technology issues related to your business. We can help you establish a digital presence, protect your existing space, or help you make your move to mobile or to the cloud.
• Trade secrets and unfair competition: Guarding trade secrets has long been an important part of IP protection, and our lawyers have counseled numerous clients on implementing and maintaining strong trade secret protection programs.
• Promotions, marketing, and advertising: Safe advertising and marketing practices can generate buzz and give voice to your brand. However, unfair advertising practices can doom product launches or, worse, companies. Our attorneys can help you pinpoint strategies that will protect your company’s reputation and promote your brand strategically.
• Privacy and right of publicity: We’ve represented and counseled a broad range of prominent individuals and companies in rights of publicity and privacy matters, including litigating, negotiating, and drafting agreements pertaining to these rights.

Our approach combines the significant experience of our business law and business dispute and litigation teams with our intellectual property group to provide effective services in business counseling, business transactions, and strategic planning for a variety of intellectual property fields. We help you understand the interplay between your IP assets and your commercial success.

Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog is committed to a work environment that welcomes, nurtures, and honors the contributions of individuals who bring a variety of talents, experiences, and backgrounds to our firm.  We believe we work best with clients, judges, juries, other attorneys, and each other when we reflect the richness of our community and world.

• Our Diversity Committee meets regularly to assess our diversity efforts and create new initiatives. The committee is made up of partners, associates, and staff from our three offices, and includes representatives from the Management Committee, Human Resources, and Recruiting.
• We are committed to recruiting attorneys and staff through minority job fairs and at historically black colleges and universities, and by identifying and participating in other programs in the legal community designed to increase minority hiring.
• Our firm is an outstanding place for women to practice law.  Our female attorneys constitute 30% of our partners and 54% of our associates, and women fully participate in all aspects of firm leadership. 
• Our training and mentoring is designed to develop and support attorneys and staff and encourage an environment of inclusivity and sensitivity.
• We make work/life balance a priority and recognize that excellence is not compromised by flexibility and innovation.
• Our employees are active and engaged in their communities through volunteer activities, charitable giving, and pro bono projects.

1. To recruit, hire, train, mentor, and develop attorneys and staff who reflect the richness and diversity of the world we live in and the communities we serve.
2. To foster a work environment where all individuals are supported and valued.
3. To increase awareness of, and sensitivity to, the differences in the cultures, backgrounds, and experiences of our employees, clients, and colleagues.  
4. To engage in a coordinated program of civic activism, charitable giving, and pro bono projects that focus on improving and strengthening our community.