Carissa L. Bouwer

Carissa L. Bouwer

Of Counsel
Palo Alto (Silicon Valley)
About

Carissa Bouwer assists clients in all stages of growth in developing strategies to protect and enforce their global intellectual property rights. Carissa assists clients in implementing business-focused strategies to clearing, prosecuting, licensing and protecting trademarks throughout their lifecycle that align with the client’s short and long-term goals. 

Carissa regularly counsels clients on marketing related issues, including structuring and registering prize promotions and commercial co-venturer promotions.  She also advises clients on gift card laws, loyalty programs, advertising, social media, and influencer programs. Carissa is currently serving on INTA’s Geographical Indications committee.

Areas of FocusConsumer Goods, Food and RetailMedia Sports and EntertainmentIntellectual Property

EXPERIENCE

  • Led global trademark enforcement for popular food and supplement brand, including investigation and seizure in China of counterfeit products, creation and management of takedown program to address counterfeit products in US based online marketplaces, and structuring of trademark enforcement processes for in-house legal department.
  • Managed global portfolio across twenty-eight jurisdictions for leading weight loss provider that sells bars, shakes, snacks and nutritional supplements, which included assisting brand in regaining control of its trademark from Chinese pirates.
  • Guided producer of sugar substitute in selection of name used in production of foods, including global clearance and filing of trademark applications in over fifteen jurisdictions.
  • Worked closely with a major supplement company conducting a multi-year commercial coventurer promotion, benefitting a number of different charities over the course of the program, including drafting agreements with charitable organizations, registering and bonding the promotions, making financial filings with the states, and advising on program advertisements.  
  • Assisted subscription consumer products business in successfully defending against a Declaratory Judgment action seeking to invalidate client’s trademarks on the ground of descriptiveness. 

Awards

The Legal 500 United States

  • Recommended, Trademarks: Non-Contentious (including Prosecution, Portfolio Management and Licensing) (2024)

Pro Bono

Carissa is passionate about pro bono work.  She has assisted veterans in obtaining Combat Related Special Compensation benefits, helped individuals seal juvenile criminal records, aided domestic violence victims in obtaining restraining orders, and has continued to represent several global nonprofit organizations in their trademark matters.

Education
  • University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law J.D., with great distinction
  • George Washington University B.A., cum laude, International Affairs

Bylines

Seminars

  • Annual speaker for California Lawyers for the Arts on IP issues for local creators.  
  • Presented at UC Davis Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship on Intellectual Property Rights in February 2024
  • Led a discussion at the USPTO in November 2023 regarding evidence for overcoming a functionality refusal for non-traditional marks
  • Presented to the USPTO on intellectual property issues in the metaverse in October 2022
  • Presented at Sacramento County Bar Association Intellectual Property Section Annual IP Year in Review, 2015- 2021

Teaching Experience

  • Adjunct Professor at UC Davis Graduate School of Management

Memberships And Affiliations

  • Committee Member, INTA Non-Traditional Marks Committee 

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Phone

+1 916 930 3263
(Work)