Careers

At M&G, we dedicate ourselves to finding the best solutions to our clients’ challenges, no matter where it takes us.

Case Studies

Industries

Offices

About Merchant & Gould

Pages

People

News Room

Practices

Staff

Home - Merchant & Gould P.C.

Discover how the fusion of science and law can fuel intellectual property (IP) protection. Marra Clay provides IP counsel with a unique blend of scientific and legal expertise. Based out of our Minneapolis offices, she serves companies across the country.

core/heading

Marra brings a distinct perspective to IP law by going beyond litigation to see how it aligns with broader business strategies. Her chemistry training and technical background include both practical experience and research, including conducting research at a national laboratory and serving as the first author of a scientific publication.&nbsp;

core/paragraph

Tie all this together with her interest and penchant for issues involving copyright and trademark litigation, and you’ll find Marra to truly be a triple threat in her legal practice.&nbsp;

Creative &amp; Scientific Intellectual Property Litigator&nbsp;

Businesses often fear that IP litigation can harm their companies and finances, especially if they’ve been accused of infringement. That’s why Marra’s approach makes the litigation process as easy and cost-effective as possible by protecting company assets for continued success.

Marra creatively counsels inventors, marketing professionals, and entrepreneurs on building a loyal consumer base through brand management and protection. Through the creation of strong attorney-client relationships, she evaluates all parts of an equation with her clients to decide the best course of action based on their goals.

By developing lasting legal strategies, Marra helps achieve a company’s long-term business goals. It’s not just about the IP; it’s about representing clients in a way that consistently supports the bottom line.&nbsp;

This is true no matter the industry or the location. Having spent time in Southeast Asia, Marra is drawn to foreign IP protection. She also finds joy and drive in working with clients in the fashion, entertainment, and food and beverage industries.&nbsp;

Professional Legal Experience and Personal Values

What sets Marra apart is her diverse background. Combining scientific knowledge with highly skilled legal writing, Marra showcases her commitment to excellence in presenting cases and arguments during litigation.&nbsp;

She’s also more than comfortable in the courtroom. Before entering litigation practice, Marra was a judicial clerk at the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota and externed at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.&nbsp;

Her values include promoting accessibility and diversity in the IP law field. She sees herself contributing to the increase in women’s representation in a predominantly male legal niche.

Moreover, Marra knows how much trust it takes to ask for someone else’s help to protect your creations, designs, words, and art. You’ve created something that’s going to make an impact. Marra is here to serve and support you, putting integrity first and ensuring you know you’ve found the right lawyer for you.

Marra isn’t just an attorney; she’s a dedicated partner. She helps clients protect their hard work without the burden of legal complexities. And when she’s not working, you’ll find her pursuing her favorite pastimes of yoga, crocheting, and running with her dog.

Whitman College, B.A Chemistry, Environmental Studies, 2017, 

University of Minnesota, J.D., 2022, 

she / her / hers

Alternative Energy

Food & Beverage

Industrial Chemistry

Media & Entertainment

Sports & Fitness

Minneapolis

Litigation

Appellate

Copyright

Design Patent & Trade Dress

Internet, Cybersecurity, & E-Commerce

Trade Secret

Trademark

Associate

Marra M. Clay

<p>Marra Clay, Copycat Cosmetics: The Beauty Industry and the Bounds of the American Intellectual Property System, 106 Minn. L. Rev. 425 (2021), available at <a href="https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/-7fuCpYzp8u9QKMBsDG0FL?domain=scholarship.law.umn.edu">https://scholarship.law.umn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4348&amp;context=mlr</a>.</p>
<p>Marra M. Clay, Jack A. Morgan, Frank M. Dunnivant, Spatial Distribution and Location of Natural Organic Matter on Sediment Particles by Scanning Electron Microscopic Analysis and the Development of a New Persistent Organic Pollutant-Sediment Kinetic Desorption Model, 40 J. Env. Toxicology &amp; Chem. 323 (2020), available at <a href="https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/7RPuCqx2q7u1Ll0ohQHhpT?domain=setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com">https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/etc.4915</a></p>


Marra M. Clay

Practices

Industries

Education

Publications & Speaking