Mariia uses her organizational and research skills to assist lawyers in a variety of ways to ensure the most effective trademark enforcement. Mariia attended the University of California, Davis and graduated with a Bachelor of Art degree in International Relations with a focus in Peace and Security and Pre-law emphasis. During her undergraduate career, she was involved in research projects and studied intellectual property rights legislations of different countries. Mariia also completed an internship at the District Attorney’s Office, worked on a political campaign and at a civil law firm. Mariia is a classically trained dancer, who performed and competed worldwide. She speaks fluent Russian and enjoys learning new languages, travelling, and spending time with her family.
Luisa provides counsel on brand selection, trademark protection and enforcement, strategic planning for brand portfolios, worldwide registration maintenance, infringement matters and litigation, as well as issues related to copyrights, publicity rights, content licensing and company formations. Luisa regularly handles matters before the USPTO, TTAB, WIPO, and, occasionally, in state and federal courts. Luisa’s clients include well-recognized wineries and food and beverage start-ups.
Before co-founding Verso Law Group, Luisa was a partner at a firm in the Napa Valley and started her career practicing intellectual property litigation in San Francisco. Originally from New York City and of Cuban roots, Luisa moved to California after graduating from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and receiving her J.D. from George Washington’s School of Law. Her combined love of travel and wine led her to Napa where she also produces wine under her label, Etxea Wines. As a small business owner, Luisa understands the importance of branding and is dedicated to providing pragmatic, business-driven counsel.
Lena brings over 20 years of business experience to Verso Law Group, using a sharp eye and strong work ethic to develop her outstanding organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Lena is a service-oriented administrative professional who brings innovation and intuition to her tasks and projects. Lena will support the firm in day-to-day operations, client and litigation support, bookkeeping, billing, document management and other administrative support.
Lena spends her free time with her three sons, enjoys brewing kombucha, cultivating her garden, and hiking with her dogs. A lover of nature and the outdoors, Lena is committed to the health and well-being of the Earth and all its flora and fauna through volunteer work, donations, and adoption.
Ryan litigates trademark, advertising, and related commercial disputes, and advises clients in all aspects of trademark, copyright and internet law. He has litigated cases involving mission-critical issues faced by some of the most valuable brands in the world. His docket typically includes federal court cases, international arbitrations, and disputes before the TTAB and other administrative forums.
Ryan builds legal strategies that serve business goals. He brings a highly practical approach to litigation and counseling work, and thrives when confronting problems that require creative, thoughtful solutions. He loves working with both established brands facing multi-jurisdictional challenges, and new businesses seeking guidance about protecting a new name or product (or carving out space around it).
Before co-founding Verso Law Group, Ryan was a partner at an Am Law 100 firm. He received his JD from George Washington University Law School and his BA from The Ohio State University. He is an open water swimmer; an avid fan of Buckeye athletics; and a member of Taste Buds(tm), a cookbook club and dinner party collective.
Maya is a graduate from the University of California, Davis where she received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Psychology. While a student at Davis, she was an editor for the Davis Political Review, research assistant investigating political polarization, peer advisor, communications intern, and worked on a Congressional campaign. At Verso Law Group, Maya enjoys being the boots on the ground for our Trademark enforcement programs, putting her research skills to use, and providing excellent service for our clients.
Maya spends her free time studying for the LSAT, exploring local thrift shops and museums, and painting pop art with her cat Apollo by her side.
Peggy is a seasoned litigator and regulatory attorney who has participated in a wide variety of cases in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies at all levels of government. Peggy has led and second-chaired trials and appeals and consults on various transactional matters as well. Peggy has participated in trademark litigation, including discovery, pre-trial motions and settlement documents.
Peggy has been a partner and of-counsel at nationally renowned law firms. She has received recognition from clients for her high level of client service and believes such service should be specifically tailored to the needs and circumstances of each matter.
Lou supports the litigation group and provides exceptional client service through his efficiency and attention to detail. He delivers high-quality work product on a timely basis, and his case teams and clients appreciate his responsiveness and steady demeanor. Lou’s experience dictates that he can often anticipate case team needs before they arise.
Lou is a born and raised Northern California local who was destined for one of two things: playing baseball or working in the family commercial fishing business. Ever-increasing competition and one miserable trip out to the ocean later, he found himself seeking a new path.
Before Verso Law Group, Lou spent more than 20 years at an Am Law 100 firm where he handled all aspects of litigation and enforcement work. He received his BA in Sociology from the University of California, San Diego. Lou enjoys spending time with his family, supporting the major local sports teams, live music, traveling to visit lifelong friends both domestic and abroad, and is an avid collector of sports and rock ‘n roll memorabilia.
Greg is a commercial and intellectual property litigator. He has enjoyed longstanding relationships with several of the firm’s clients and, while his practice has tilted toward brand protection, licensing, and antitrust counseling and disputes, he has litigated often in other practice areas. He also serves as an adjunct resource to client legal departments.
Greg has led litigation or brand protection teams under flat fee and hybrid arrangements, going back to the 1990s. He has received peer recognition for his legal work, though is most proud of his awards for client service. His success in trials, arbitrations and appeals is partly due to experience and effort but mostly to the close partnership he develops with clients and his skill at spotting talented and dedicated colleagues.
Before Verso Law Group, Greg was a partner at two large law firms, one before and one after his ten years with a start-up law firm that he also helped create. Greg attended the University of Michigan for both his JD and BA and is an avid fan of Wolverine athletics. He taught an Antitrust and IP seminar for several years at USF School of Law.
Shannon attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles and has a degree in Administration and Management. Her career began in the fashion and snow sports industry, having worked as a sales rep, buyer, store stylist, and operating an accessory brand that she established. While earning her Paralegal Certificate from UCLA, she joined a small firm where she managed criminal lawsuits, filings and civil law contracts. Her experience in legal support and apparel brings a unique perspective to the Verso team. Shannon is passionate about IP prosecution and enforcement, driving efficiency through technology, to provide the highest level of service to our clients.
Spending time with her son, snowboarding, and mining gems and minerals are a few things you can catch Shannon doing during her free time.
Enrike is a graduate from the University of California, Santa Cruz where he received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Legal Studies and Politics. At Verso, Enrike works on trademark enforcement programs, putting his research and investigation skills to use. Enrike enjoys working on matters in the software and technology sector. He plans to attend law school, to pursue a career as an IP attorney. Enrike spends his free time staying up to date on developments in Blockchain and AI technology, exploring new coffee shops in the Bay Area, and watching basketball.
Originally from Australia, Annette started her career in customer relations and logistics, overseeing the operations and supply-chain management of automotive products in 11 countries. After moving to the US, Annette joined a large law firm, first as a Legal Assistant and then as a Paralegal, where she used her analytical and operations skills to support attorneys in all aspects of their intellectual property and trademark enforcement practice. Annette oversaw the global enforcement program for a large client in the fashion industry, which included database management and coordinating foreign counsel in many jurisdictions. Annette has extensive experience in team management, corporate reporting, and tracking financial metrics.
Annette enjoys data analytics and problem solving and is always looking for ways to support the strategic goals of our clients, while maintaining the efficiencies of our team. Annette attended the University of Southern Queensland and has a Bachelor of Business degree in Leadership & Management and Marketing. When not working, Annette enjoys gardening, traveling, playing the piano, and spending time with her family.
Paymaneh is a litigator with a focus on intellectual property and technology matters. She advises clients in a wide range of industries, including technology, fashion, retail, and entertainment. She also provides strategic counseling to clients on pre-litigation disputes, global enforcement programs, and other internet-based intellectual property issues.
Before Verso Law Group, Paymaneh practiced in the trademark and copyright group of an Am Law 100 firm. She received her J.D. with a Certificate in Law and Technology from Berkeley Law School and B.A. in Political Science and Chemistry from Columbia University. Paymaneh is a classically trained violinist since age three, performing in venues like Carnegie Hall. She speaks fluent Persian and enjoys reading nineteenth-century British literature and exploring nature in her free time.
Amy is an experienced general counsel and transactional lawyer. Amy started her career at the international law firm Cleary Gottlieb and practiced for several years in their Rome office, advising numerous Italian luxury brands on corporate matters and commercial and IP transactions. She subsequently became the first General Counsel for the fashion brand TOM FORD, where she built the company’s legal and HR function and negotiated strategic licensing and branding agreements. Most recently, she was General Counsel (US) for DHC, the global cosmetic and health food supplement brand headquartered in Tokyo.
Amy received a BA in Italian from Tulane University and also a JD from the law school at Tulane. She speaks fluent Italian and loves to travel but is most often just enjoying life with her two teenage daughters in Palo Alto.
Sophy represents clients in intellectual property and advertising matters.
Before joining Verso, she was VP, Senior Counsel of RH (Restoration Hardware) where she managed the luxury brand’s intellectual property disputes, trademark, copyright and patent portfolios, global brand enforcement programs, and advertising compliance department. While at RH, Sophy counseled the leadership team on branding and advertising issues. Given her experience as in-house counsel, Sophy brings a practical and creative approach in helping clients develop branding and advertising strategies to align with clients’ business objectives. Prior to RH, Sophy worked at an Am Law 100 firm litigating federal court cases and proceedings before the TTAB and advising clients on advertising compliance issues.
Sophy received her JD from UC Law San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) and her BS in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. She speaks fluent Farsi. On her free time, she enjoys traveling and practicing yoga and Pilates.
Vickie supports the law firm and its attorneys, focusing on the day-to-day operations, and client and litigation support. She received a Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition from San Francisco State University and in a previous life worked as a songwriter for a major publishing company in Nashville, Tennessee. Her almost two decades of experience in law started with a small boutique IP firm as office administrator. From there she moved to a large firm as a litigation secretary managing the high-profile practices of several partners.
Vickie enjoys travel, gardening, her menagerie of pets and spending time with her family. She still writes although she has given up songwriting because making it as a novelist is sure to be much easier.
