M.J. Williams
M.J. Williams offers practical, client-centered counsel and representation on trademark, copyright, and Freedom of Information matters to creative businesses, creatives engaging in business, reporters, media companies, and political activists. She serves as strategic counsel on intellectual property to clients in nearly every industry, including beverage and hospitality, consumer goods, industrial goods, technology, fashion, education and culture, publishing, and travel.
M.J. brings real-world experience to the table, a love for challenges and problem-solving, and a creative, entrepreneurial spirit. Prior to joining Wissing Miller, she built and ran a legal practice at M.J. Williams Law following her tenure at one of New York’s oldest law firms, renowned for intellectual property and media law. Before practicing law, M.J. had a 15-year career in the arts in the U.S. and Europe at the Whitney Museum for American Art, National Gallery in Prague, Contemporary Jewish Museum, and other museums and art projects.
Trademarks & Copyrights: M.J. advises on selection, clearance, creation, and collaborations. She also obtains and maintains trademark and copyright registrations in the U.S. and stewards trademarks’ and creative works’ international protection. She counsels on and litigates trademark, copyright, domain name, and privacy rights disputes. M.J. also regularly advises on and papers licensing and transfers of creative works and brands.
Freedom of Information: M.J. also has a robust Freedom of Information counseling and litigation practice with a particular focus on obtaining release of government records from prisons and law enforcement agencies.
EDUCATION
- J.D. cum laude, Brooklyn Law School (2009)
- B.A. with distinction, University of Michigan (1986)
BAR ADMISSIONS
- New York
- U.S. District Courts, Southern & Eastern Districts of New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS & HONORS
- “Let’s Agree Not 2(d)isagree: Combatting Likelihood of Confusion Office Actions,” Webinar Presentation, Alt Legal, September 2022
- “Advising New Ventures & Small Businesses,” Panelist, Brooklyn Law School Business Boot Camp, January 2022
- "How to Report on the Police (#FOILthePolice)," Panelist, Study Hall and Gumshoe Group, June 2020
- "Whose Rights?: A Start-Up Case Study in Six Acts," Guest Lecture, Start-Up Law, Brooklyn Law School, September 2019
- "FOIL Wars: The Fight for Accountability," Panelist and Co-Organizer, Continuing legal education (CLE) program, New York County Bar Association, May 2019
- "Freedom of Information Law for Journalists," Guest Lecture, Social Journalism workshop, Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York, February 2019
- Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch,” Intellectual Property Law, 2024, 2025
- New York Metro Area Super Lawyers, Rising Star 2015-2020
PUBLICATIONS
- Overcoming a §2(d) Likelihood of Confusion Office Action, Alt Legal Blog, 2022
- New York State Assembly Judiciary Committee Chair Sponsors Significant Expansion and Toughening of New York’s Anti-Slapp Law, Media Law Resource Center 2012
- "Local and Specialized Outside Counsel," Chapter 20, Successful Partnering Between Inside and Outside Counsel, ed. Robert L. Haig, Thomson Reuters Westlaw & Association of Corporate Counsel 2010
- Framing Art Vandalism: A Proposal to Address Violence Against Art, Brooklyn Law Review 2009
- The Sense in Yawning, Fuse Magazine and Umelec 1999