Insight

Jason Sneed, Charlotte “Lawyer of the Year” for Trademark Law 2017

Jason Sneed of SNEED PLLC weighs in on his work and achievements in trademark law.

"LOTY": Jason Sneed
Nicole Ortiz

Jason M. Sneed

December 9, 2016 12:00 AM

Jason Sneed has been practicing law for nearly 20 years, and his passion and love for the trademark and copyright field is as strong as ever.

Mr. Sneed graduated in 1993 from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and went on to the University of Virginia School of Law where he graduated in 1997. He came to North Carolina 16 years ago to work with Alston & Bird LLP in uptown Charlotte, and in his time there he became a partner as well as a Charlotte trademark practice group leader. However, after more than a decade at the firm, he left to create his own practice.

SNEED PLLC is a boutique law firm specializing in trademark and copyright protection and enforcement. They’re a rarity—an intellectual property boutique that isn’t a patent firm, and they’re one of the only full-time trademark practitioners in the Lake Norman area of North Carolina. They also make themselves accessible to small- and medium-sized businesses as well as larger companies and corporations by adjusting their rate structure and providing professional services to all clients. Within five years, SNEED PLLC has grown into a team of top-quality professionals who focus solely on trademark and copyright litigation (barring special exceptions).

Mr. Sneed remarked highly on his time spent in the field, especially regarding the variety seen among his clients. “I love working in trademark law, as it allowed us to work with innovative brands and creative people.” For instance, he works annually to protect the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally from marketplace infringement or counterfeit goods, and recalled the case where they got a $900,000 jury verdict against a souvenir dealer who had infringed on their rights.

“In trademark law, a lot of times success is defined by protecting a brand from infringement and really setting it on a path to grow, and then letting the business people worry about the bottom line and monetary issues. And so we get to define success a little bit differently than other areas of law, and in a way then, partner with our clients to grow rather than defending a distinct problem and worrying about the dollars and cents.”

Mr. Sneed has received much acclaim and recognition over the years. He was listed as a Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” in 2016 for trademark law and also received recognition from Super Lawyers, IP Stars, and the North Carolina Legal Elite.

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