Duane Morris LLP

Our Intellectual Property attorneys assist clients in obtaining trademarks and copyrights, perform searches and render registrability opinions. Duane Morris has been repeatedly ranked among the top trademark filing law firms by Managing IP and IP Law360. We file and maintain thousands of applications to register trademarks, current trademark registrations and copyrights each year in the U.S. We also coordinate with our international networks of law firms to file and maintain thousands of trademark applications and registrations throughout the world. We offer our clients technology solutions for real-time trademark docket management through the Duane Morris IP Portal, giving clients anytime/anywhere access to information on their IP holdings, including status updates on filings and alerts to upcoming deadlines.

We help clients establish, enforce and challenge trademark rights, both in the United States and abroad. We also counsel clients in trade dress and unfair competition matters under Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act as well as matters involving both IP and antitrust laws such as tying arrangements and covenants not to compete, and disputes regarding publishing rights and piracy.

Our IP trial lawyers litigate trademark claims in federal courts throughout the country, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and the International Trade Commission. We have recovered thousands of domain names from cybersquatters and we counsel clients on domain name strategies, domain name acquisition and the protection of IP rights on the Internet, including through international proceedings of ICANN and WIPO. Duane Morris is a registered trademark agent with ICANN's Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH), a global repository of validated trademarks. Our attorneys can help clients register their trademarks with TMCH to protect their intellectual property with regard to domain names and brand identity. Our attorneys also have significant experience with pharmaceutical trademark and trade dress matters.

In trademark litigation, we focus on protecting the goodwill and brand value that our clients have worked to develop through their trademarks and trade dress. Our attorneys handle an array of trademark, trade dress and unfair competition disputes, including those concerning consumer product trademarks, business names, trademark dilution, trademark counterfeiting, false advertising, and clothing and accessory designs and other forms of trade dress.

We often represent copyright owners in actions against people and businesses that sell infringing items. Similarly, we represent composers, authors, software developers and publishers in protecting their copyrighted works against unauthorized copying, distribution and performance. Our lawyers have obtained ex parte orders to seize counterfeit goods under both the copyright and trademark laws.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

Trademarks

• FashionCraft-Excello, Inc. v. CheapFavorShop.com, WeddingFavors.org, CustomGift.com, BabyFavors.com, Outdoor Living, Inc., a.k.a. OutdoorLiving.com, Wish Rocket, LLC and Ronald G. Spinks Jr., 16-cv-381 (E.D.N.Y. 2016). Represented FashionCraft-Excello in trademark infringement, copyright infringement, false designation of goods, false advertising, unjust enrichment, deceptive acts and business practices, deception and confusion of consumers, and damage to FashionCraft-Excello’s reputation and goodwill involving the marketing and sale of wedding and event favors and gifts.
• Wright Medical Technology, Inc. v. Arthrex, Inc., 13-cv-716 (D. Del. 2013). Represented Plaintiff manufacturer of orthopedic and surgical implants and products in trademark infringement suit concerning compression plates and compression screws used to treat midfoot regions.
• Beckson Manufacturing, Inc., Beckson Industrial Products, Inc. v. Tuthill Corporation d/b/a Tuthill Transfer Systems, 13-cv-654 (D. Conn. 2013). Defended Tuthill against allegations of trademark and trade dress counterfeiting, infringement and false designation of origin involving the color and configuration of pump housings and pump handles.
• American Energy Corporation v. American Energy Partners, LP, et al., 13-cv-886 (S.D. Ohio 2013). Represented American Energy Partners in litigation alleging trademark infringement concerning the name of the company.
• Born Aviation Products, Inc. v. Bonnier Corporation, 12-cv-8915 (N.D. Ill. 2012). Counsel for defendant, Bonnier, on trademark infringement matter concerning the “REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT” mark.
• Elegant Moments, Inc. v. Elegant Moments Boutique LLC, 12-cv-1786 (M.D. Pa. 2012). Represented Plaintiff lingerie manufacturer and distributor in trademark infringement suit concerning a website name.
• Howmedica Osteonics Corp. and Stryker Corp. v. Wright Medical Technology, Inc., and Wright Medical Group, Inc., 12-cv-6042 (D.N.J. 2012). Obtained settlement on behalf of Wright Medical after litigation alleging infringement of trademarks pertaining to knee prostheses.
• Exclusive Supplements, Inc. v. Abdelgawad et al., 12-cv-1652 (W.D. Pa. 2012). Represented Plaintiff manufacturer and distributor of nutritional supplements in trademark infringement suit concerning the marks “DEPLETE RAPID WEIGHT LOSS,” “COMPLETE MASS 600,” and ““OPTIMUM HEALTH NUTRITION,” and corresponding cancellation actions before the USPTO Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
• Schutte Bagclosures, Inc. v. Kwik Lok Corporation, 12-cv-5541 (S.D.N.Y. 2012). Obtained on behalf of Kwik Lok Corporation partial summary judgment in a trademark infringement and dilution case, as well as a successful opposition to Schutte Bagclosures Inc.’s motions for summary judgment and dismissal of counterclaims.
• Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company v. Radisson Hotels International, Inc. et al., 11-cv-1159 (M.D. Pa. 2011). Represented Defendant hotel in trademark infringement suit concerning the name used in posters and displays.
• Sandow Media, LLC v. Renew Beauty Med Spa, Inc., 3:11-cv-02082-G (N.D. Texas). Represented beauty product retailer and magazine publisher in an action for infringement of the NEWBEAUTY® trademark and trade dress infringement brought against a beauty salon and medical spa. Case settled.
• Sandow Media, LLC v. Fix Medical Spa, LLC, 11-cv-854 (W.D. Wash. 2011). Represented beauty product retailer and magazine publisher in an action for infringement of the NEWBEAUTY® trademark and trade dress infringement brought against a beauty salon and medical spa. Case settled.
• Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. v. Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc., et al., 11-cv-2465 (E.D. Pa. 2011). Represented a manufacturer of customized specialty trucks and vehicles in action alleging infringement of its trademark by a competitor.
• Cels Enterprises, Inc. v. Viewmark U.S.A. Inc., 11-cv-4706 (C.D. Cal. 2011). Represented defendant Viewmark U.S.A. Inc. in a trademark infringement matter concerning the “CHINESE LAUNDRY” mark.
• Keurig Incorporated v. Sturm Foods, Inc., 10-cv-841 (D. Del. 2010). Counsel for defendant, Sturm Foods, on patent infringement, trademark infringement, and advertising matter.
• Costa v. Datapro, Inc., 10-cv-23172 (S.D. Fla. 2010). Successful defense of international banking software company in breach of contract action brought by Brazilian foreign national; obtained final judgment against foreign national plaintiff in excess of $1.5 million on counterclaims that the Brazilian foreign national misappropriated client’s trade secrets and federally registered trade dress and trademark requiring international application of the Lanham Act.
• Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority v. Mednick, et al., 10-cv-2978 (E.D. Pa. 2010). Represented a regional transportation authority in a trademark suit arising from a law firm’s use of the website MySEPTALawyer.com.
• Lingo v. Lingo, et al., 10-cv-624 (D. Del. 2010). Obtained decision following a trial for Archibald (“Archie”) Lingo and Archie’s Market, Inc., permanently enjoining the defendants from using the federally registered mark “Lingo’s Market” and awarding plaintiffs attorneys’ fees and costs of suit.
• American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. v. Lyle & Scott Ltd., 584 F.3d 575 (3d Cir. 2009). Represented Lyle & Scott Limited in an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit of a decision that granted summary judgment for American Eagle on its action to enforce an agreement regarding the parties’ use of similar trademarks in their respective clothing lines. The Third Circuit agreed that the agreement was enforceable but determined that the district court erred in construing the terms of the agreement in favor of American Eagle; the appellate court held that the terms were sufficiently ambiguous to warrant additional fact-finding by a jury.
• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Labor and Industry vs. Titchenal, 09-cv-4126 (E.D. Pa. 2009). Represented the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in trademark action regarding the unauthorized use of its trademarks in a commercial website domain name.
• BBU et al. v. Sara Lee Corporation et al., 09-cv-1787 (S.D. Cal. 2009). Counsel for defendant, Sara Lee, in trademark infringement matter concerning the “SANDWICH THINS” mark.
• Cold Stone Creamery, Inc. v. Pin Knox, Inc., 08-cv-3582 (E.D. Pa. 2008). Represented national ice cream franchisor in trademark and copyright infringement litigation against terminated franchisee.
• Aktieselskabet AF 21 v. Fame Jeans, Inc., 525 F.3d 8 (D.C. Cir. 2008). Represented a Canadian clothing manufacturer in an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from the dismissal of a competing Danish clothing manufacturer action opposing our client’s registration of the trademark “Jack & Jones.” The D.C. Circuit determined that under Section 2(d) of the Lanham Act, an applicant who registered on the basis of intent to use has priority over a subsequent applicant that attempts to register a foreign mark that was in actual use before the filing of the intent-to-use application, where the foreign user did not attempt to register the mark in the United States within six months of actual use.
• Apex, LLC v. 24 Hour Fitness USA, Inc., 08-cv-169 (D.R.I. 2008); 08-cv-1681 (N.D. Cal. 2008). Procedural rulings in related proceedings in which we successfully defeated an effort by an alleged infringer to launch a preemptive declaratory judgment suit in its jurisdiction, and instead prosecuted a trademark infringement claim in our client’s home forum.
• Woodlark Circle, Inc. v. Stryker Corp., 2008-cv-1372 (E.D. Pa. 2008). Represented trademark holder pursuing claims of trademark infringement relating to medical specialty products.
• Wound Care Strategies, Inc. v. Wound Care Centers, Inc., 07-cv-1123 (M.D. Pa. 2007). Represented plaintiff manufacturer and provider of wound care products and solutions in trademark infringement suit concerning the respective companies’ logos.
• Las Vegas Sands Corp. v. Ace Gaming, LLC, 06-cv-5441 (D.N.J. 2006). Obtained summary judgment in favor of the Las Vegas Sands in its action against ACE Gaming, LLC (a Carl Icahn-controlled entity) for breach of a trademark-licensing agreement regarding the use of the “Sands” trademark by the Atlantic City Sands and its shutdown in November 2006 and refusal to pay licensing fees.
• Ivy Silberstein v. Twentieth Century Fox, et al. (2nd Cir. 2004). Presented oral argument before the U.S. Appellate Court for the Second Circuit located in New York for a trademark and copyright dispute case, which related to claims against the producers of the motion picture Ice Age.
• College Savings Bank v. Florida Prepaid Postsecondary Education Expense Bd., 527 U.S. 666 (1999). The Supreme Court held unconstitutional the Trademark Remedy Clarification Act of 1992 that abrogated states’ Eleventh Amendment immunity from suits brought against them for alleged violation of the Lanham Act.
• Represented BeachGlow: Concerts for Charity, Inc., a non-profit concert producer, in helping the organization obtain trademarks for use of the BeachGlow name.
• Represented as a pro bono client MarineParents.com, a public charity founded in 2003 to support Marines and their families, and favorably negotiated a trademark licensing agreement with the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC).
• Represented Urban Outfitters in trademark infringement and dilution case regarding defendant use of trade name Hype Outfitters in connection with clothing stores.
• Represented Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc. in litigation alleging claims of trademark infringement and tarnishment of Ben & Jerry’s trademarks, trade dress and ice cream flavor names by an adult film company.
• Represented CertainTeed Gypsum (formerly BPB plc) in a trademark opposition against National Gypsum involving the use of the color purple for gypsum construction boards. The gypsum boards are used for exterior and interior walls on commercial and residential buildings.
• Served as outside general counsel to Graham Webb International, including IP and trademark work, drafting and negotiating U.S. and foreign distribution agreements, employment matters, distributor network issues and general legal matters.
• Represented Wal-Mart and its vendor, Faded Glory Arkansas, Inc. in an action for damages based upon federal claims of trademark infringement, unfair competition and copyright infringement, and California state and common law claims of unfair business practices and unfair competition in connection with jeans.

Copyrights 

• Collegesource, Inc. v. AcademyOne, Inc., 2015 U.S. App. LEXIS 1845 (3d Cir. 2015). Obtained complete affirmance of summary judgment on novel issues in the Third Circuit relating to copyright preemption and claims under RICO, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and the Lanham Act.
• Yellow Pages Photos, Inc. v. Ziplocal LP and Yellow Pages Group, LLC, 795 F.3d 1255 (11th Cir. 2015). Represented Yellow Pages Group, LLC on successful appeal on the definition of “works” for purposes of calculating statutory damages under the Copyright Act.
• Apollo Group, Inc. and University of Phoenix, Inc. v. Chegg, Inc., Student of Fortune, Inc., Daniel Rosensweig and Sean McCleese, 13-cv-1336 (S.D.N.Y. 2013). Represented Apollo Group, Inc. and University of Phoenix, Inc. as plaintiffs in litigation concerning allegations of copyright infringement of educational materials on online auction website.
• Yellow Pages Photos, Inc. v. Ziplocal LP and Yellow Pages Group LLC, 12-cv-755 (M.D. Fla. 2012). Obtained a decision on behalf of Yellow Pages Group, LLC in a copyright infringement trial where the jury awarded plaintiff only $123,000, a small fraction of what could have been a $1.5 billion award.
• Klauber Brothers, Inc. v. Russell-Newman, Inc. and The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., 11-cv-4985 (S.D.N.Y. 2011). Obtained on behalf of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. an order granting a motion to dismiss a complaint which alleged a breach of a settlement agreement, copyright infringement and false advertising under the Lanham Act.
• William A. Graham Company d/b/a The Graham Company v. Thomas P. Haughey and USI MidAtlantic, Inc., 05-cv-612 (E.D. Pa. 2005); 568 F.3d 425 (3d Cir. 2009); 646 F.3d 138 (3d Cir. 2011). Represented commercial insurance broker The Graham Company in a copyright infringement action and secured an $18.9 million jury verdict, and then successfully defended that verdict as well as the award of prejudgment interest in two appeals to the Third Circuit.
• Sleepy’s LLC v. Escalate, Inc., 10-cv-1626 (S.D.N.Y. 2010). Secured settlement for national retailer Sleepy’s in arbitration concerning alleged copyright infringement and misappropriation of trade secrets related to retail and supply chain management software.
• Amazing Spaces, Inc. v. Metro Mini Storage, 608 F.3d 225 (5th Cir. 2010). Represented a self-storage company in an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit from a district court decision dismissing its claims for service mark infringement, copyright infringement and trade dress infringement against a competing self-storage facility for its use of a star symbol on its buildings. The Fifth Circuit reversed in part, holding that although the star symbol was not inherently distinctive and thus not legally protectable as a mark, that conclusion was not dispositive of the client’s claims for copyright and trade dress infringement, and that the district court erred in dismissing those claims.
• Frontline Placement Technologies, Inc. v. Steven Schoenfeld, 10-cv-6801 (E.D. Pa. 2010). Represented online service provider Frontline Placement Technologies in a copyright infringement, Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and Computer Fraud and Abuse Act action, resulting in a settlement the client found favorable.
• Heroic Era, Ltd. v. Evony, LLC, 10-cv-2458 (N.D.Cal. 2010). Successful defense of a declaratory judgment action, seeking declaration of non-infringement, and prosecution of copyright infringement counterclaims, arising out of plaintiff’s infringing multi-player, on-line role playing video game in competition with our client’s game.
• Hitek Software, LLC v. United Surgical Partners International, Inc. et al., 10-cv-6832 (C.D. Cal. 2010). Obtained voluntary dismissal of suit which alleged that the client engaged in copyright infringement and violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and the parties’ end-user license agreement by copying and using the plaintiff’s copyrighted software.
• Bethany Lowe Designs, Inc. v. ESC Trading Co., Inc., 10-cv-4052 (C.D. Ill. 2010). Represented plaintiff, a designer and producer of original, vintage-style folk art and holiday designs for the wholesale industry, in a copyright infringement, unfair competition and unfair trade practices case.
• Oceaneering International, Inc. v. GRI Simulations, Inc., 332 Fed. Appx. 164, 91 U.S.P.Q.2d 1382 (5th Cir. 2009). Represented a developer of simulators of remotely operated vehicles in an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeal for the Fifth Circuit from a district court decision granting a competing company’s cross-motion for summary judgment of copyright infringement and unfair competition. The Fifth Circuit vacated and remanded, finding that the client’s competitor failed to demonstrate it was entitled to judgment as a matter of law on any count of the complaint.
• Hitek Software v. Vision Financial, 09-cv-2208 (C.D. Cal. 2009). Represented Defendant in copyright litigation concerning access to software which resolved to the satisfaction of the client.
• Capitol Records, L.L.C. et al v. Seeqpod, Inc., et al., 09-cv-1584 (S.D.N.Y. 2009). Represented three executives of music search-engine SeeqPod in a copyright infringement case brought against them by a group of major record labels, including Capitol Records, Virgin Records America and EMI Music. The court granted the clients’ motion to dismiss the complaint against them for lack of personal jurisdiction and refused the record labels’ request for discovery as to personal jurisdiction.
• The Kindred Limited Partnership v. Screen Actors Guild, 08-cv-2220 (C.D. Cal. 2008). Copyright infringement and wrongful foreclosure action brought on behalf of Feldman/Meeker Co. to obtain return of copyright for the motion picture, The Kindred. Obtained partial summary judgment that SAG’s foreclosure on the motion picture copyright was unlawful and ineffective. Damages claim settled shortly before trial.
• Riordan v. H.J. Heinz Co., 2008-cv-1122 (W.D. Pa. 2008). Represented H.J. Heinz Co. in a suit alleging that Heinz misappropriated plaintiff’s ideas and infringed on plaintiff’s copyright by creating a top-side-down condiment bottle. Court dismissed while holding that the Heinz waiver agreement for unsolicited ideas precluded plaintiff’s misappropriation claim, and that plaintiff could not maintain a copyright infringement action with respect to a drawing that plaintiff had included as part of a patent application.
• Kelley v. Bethany Lowe Designs, Inc.., 08-cv-7245 (C.D. Cal. 2008). Represented defendant in copyright case concerning snowflake designs and ultimately achieved resolution client found favorable.
• Viacom International, Inc. et al. v. YouTube, Inc. et al., 07-cv-2103 (S.D.N.Y. 2007). Represented The Football Association Premier League Limited in an infringement litigation against YouTube involving interpretation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act’s (DMCA) safe-harbor provisions.
• Well-Made Toy Mfg. Corp. v. Wondertreats, Inc. and Walgreen, Co., 07-cv-248 (S.D.N.Y. 2007). Represented Walgreens store chain and Wondertreats, Inc. in copyright infringement case regarding dolls in gift baskets.
• Anthropologie, Inc. et al. v. Forever 21, Inc., 06-cv-2510 (S.D.N.Y. 2006). Represented Anthropologie store chain as plaintiff in copyright infringement case regarding dress designs. Obtained sanctions award against defendants and financial settlement the client found favorable.
• Represented Stan Lee Media Inc. in a dispute in Philadelphia federal court against the Walt Disney Co. and Marvel Comics concerning ownership of the copyrights and trademarks to Spider-Man and other superhero characters created by Stan Lee.
• Obtained an order from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirming the dismissal of a copyright claim brought by Klauber Brothers, Inc. in connection with lace used on women’s undergarments sold by The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. The district court dismissed the entire action brought by Plaintiff Klauber Brothers, Inc. which alleged copyright infringement, false advertising and breach of contract, however the appeal only concerned the dismissal of the copyright claim.
• Loqate, Inc. adv. Harte Hanks. Counsel for Loqate regarding claims by Harte Hanks of copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation and breach of contract relating to address verification software.
• Represented Wal-Mart and its vendor, F.A.F., Inc., in an action for damages based upon claims of copyright infringement and federal and common law unfair competition.
• Represented defendants Consist Software Solutions, Inc. in international copyright, trademark and false advertising action regarding various international software products with multiple parallel actions in other countries.
• Represented Lenox, Inc. in copyright infringement case against Target, Inc. involving copyrighted patterns on casual dinnerware.
• Represented defendant Anthropologie, Inc. in lawsuit involving various claims of copyright infringement, trademark infringement and unfair competition claims regarding flatware.

"In my discussions with Duane Morris leaders, they frequently speak about how diversity within their firm has enabled them to better serve their diverse clients. They understand that investing in diversity is a wise business decision that positions them for the marketplace of the future."

Don Liu
Senior VP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
Xerox Corporation

At Duane Morris, achieving diversity is paradoxical. By supporting and celebrating the differences of our attorneys - and the individual strengths that they bring - our firm culture expands, fostering creative solutions for our clients. But diversity at Duane Morris does not mean that we have a certain number of diverse attorneys; true diversity means that it is no longer noteworthy to see diverse lawyers leading our practice groups or managing client relationships. Ascending to positions of leadership and greater responsibility and providing the highest levels of client service is simply what is expected of all our lawyers. Diversity is another strong asset that adds to our collective abilities to meet the needs of our clients.

Our vision of diversity at Duane Morris is to realize an environment in which our lawyers' outstanding qualities are not just measured by ethnicity, race, gender and sexual orientation, but more importantly, that our lawyers are remarkable as excellent attorneys above all else. Only then can we celebrate our differences while focusing on the common pursuit of legal excellence which everyone shares at Duane Morris.

To reach this goal, Duane Morris understands that the familiar diversity strategies and policies that most law firms have are needed. Without demanding results from such policies, most law firms are bound to fail in even achieving numerical hiring and retention goals. Duane Morris has been proactive and ambitious in its efforts to improve diversity at the firm, and has set deadlines for reaching the milestones which mark our progress. To create a more diverse law firm, Duane Morris is:

• Committed to strategically increasing our diversity levels, which is currently at 10 percent.
• Bringing together our Diversity Committee and our Hiring and Retention Committee to raise diversity as an important factor in our hiring decisions.
• Dedicated to improving retention by building upon our monitoring and mentoring program for all diverse associates.

Combining new initiatives with our longstanding diversity efforts, Duane Morris has seen increasingly positive results. In the Minority Law Journal's annual diversity survey of the nation's largest 260 firms, Duane Morris continued to improve its regional and national ranking, rising to number 136 of all firms surveyed. Our strides in Philadelphia are encouraging; in a city known for both the racial diversity of its population and the lack thereof in its law firms, Duane Morris is one of only two law firms to exceed the national average of minority partners at all law firms. Additionally, Duane Morris leads all national law firms based in Philadelphia in the number of Latino partners. Nearly 30 percent of all of our attorneys are women, and more than 20 percent of our partners are women.

In our approach to diversity, progress in racial, gender and cultural diversity cannot be measured in numbers alone. Duane Morris has focused our diversity initiatives on both increasing the number of diverse associates and addressing the challenges diverse attorneys face in building lasting careers and rising to senior and leadership positions. While several of our key practice groups are led by diverse partners and female partners, Duane Morris endeavors to create a culture which will foster a deep pool of such attorneys who can then develop into the firm's future leaders. Duane Morris understands that simply hiring diverse associates will not change the diversity of the firm; Duane Morris is working to mentor and retain diverse associates so that our progress in racial, gender and cultural diversity is also reflected at the highest levels of leadership within the firm.

Our progress on gender diversity has been profound. We have no glass ceilings: women hold positions of leadership at all levels of management at the firm. Women lead a number of our key practice groups, including our Energy, Immigration and International practices, and serve on the firm's Executive Committee. The success of our female attorneys at Duane Morris has not gone unnoticed. Barbara Adams was chair of the firm's Finance Practice until her appointment by Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell to serve as General Counsel of the Commonwealth. In 2004, our longtime General Counsel, Gene E.K. Pratter, was approved by the United States Senate and is now a judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Our efforts to improve diversity extend beyond our firm's walls. The chair of our Diversity Committee, Nolan N. Atkinson, Jr., recognized the lack of diversity in Philadelphia's legal community and formed the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group. Nolan now serves as the chair of the organization, a consortium of 25 law firms and corporations that commits to employing at least one diverse first-year law student each as a summer associate. From this program, law students of diverse backgrounds gain access to what was once an exclusive legal community, and now have the opportunity to learn and develop their legal careers with experience at Philadelphia's top law firms.

In addition to our involvement in the Philadelphia area, Duane Morris has increased our presence at national conferences and events focused on diversity. We sponsor the Hispanic National Bar Association and its job fair. Duane Morris is also a longtime supporter and sponsor of the Equality Forum, a national gay and lesbian rights organization. Duane Morris continues to sponsor the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, and is active in other associations of diverse attorneys including: the Asian American Bar Association of the Delaware Valley; the Charles Houston Bar Association; Cuban Bar Association; Korean American Lawyers Association; National American Indian Housing Counsel and the National Bar Association.

The challenge of improving gender, ethnic and cultural diversity at Duane Morris is an ongoing effort that has the support of the entire firm. Duane Morris has been at the vanguard in supporting gender diversity throughout the firm beginning a generation ago. Our diversity programs are leading to similar success in improving racial and national origin diversity at Duane Morris. But even as we share these examples of Duane Morris attorneys and our involvement in numerous legal events, associations and programs for diversity, our hope is that such examples will no longer be necessary to mention in the future. We hope that through our efforts, and the efforts of other law firms, these stories become so common that they are no longer the remarkable accomplishments they are today, but simply routine aspects of the legal world tomorrow.