Creating a proactive global protection strategy that saves time, money, and aligns his clients' strategic business plans with their trademark portfolio is what Andrew Ehard does best. He loves being in the middle of the action, securing his clients' trademarks, managing their portfolios, and looking toward the future to anticipate where and how they might expand and positively leverage their intellectual property rights.
Andrew practices general intellectual property law with an emphasis on trademark and copyright matters. Andrew represents and counsels significant brand holders in the management of their global trademark portfolios and the selection, clearance, and registration of new brands. He also represents clients involved in domestic and foreign trademark oppositions and cancelation proceedings.
Before joining Merchant, Andrew developed a high level of experience in the area of trademark clearance as the Director of Intellectual Property Services with the trademark research and brand protection company, NameProtect Inc. As a trademark examining attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office; he prosecuted more than 5,000 applications.
Andrew has continuously been listed as a Top Trademark Attorney by CSC's Trademark Insider, has been named as one of The World's Leading Trademark Professionals by WTR1000, selected to be included in the Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers in Minnesota by The Best Lawyers in America and Minnesota Monthly. Additionally, Andrew, nominated by many of his clients, has received the Client Choice Award for Intellectual Property - Trademarks - Minnesota award by Lexology year after year.
Within the firm, Andrew Ehard has served on the Executive Committee, acted as the chair of the Trademark Group and the co-chair of both the Recruiting Committee and the New Associate Group. He is a frequent speaker and presenter on intellectual property and trademark issues. A passionate hunter and bowhunter, Andrew loves to spend time with his clients outdoors.