Managing Partner
Ms. Pranger focuses her practice on trademark, copyright and advertising law, covering both global registration and protection of those rights, including litigation and other alternative dispute resolution proceedings, contract negotiation and formation, and other related business transactions.
Ms. Pranger is continually recognized as one of the top trademark lawyers in “The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals”, a peer to peer and client centric ranking of trademark lawyers around the globe published each year by World Trademark Review (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022). In addition, she is ranked as one of the Top 20 Trademark Attorneys in Web3 in the United States by Huski.ai (2022).
EXPERIENCE
Holly Pranger has counseled famous and well-known brand owners her entire career, and she is the trademark lawyer behind many of Silicon Valley’s brightest venture-backed companies. Ms. Pranger builds and enforces the rights in leading global trademark and copyright portfolios, often from the very first trademark filing. Her clients have gone on to valuation and acquisition for billions of dollars.
Starting her career in the trademark and entertainment practice of a national law firm, she later founded Pranger Law PC as a trademark boutique, which has since grown into a full-service IP law firm. Serving as the firm’s managing partner, she credits her unique and often praised ability to counsel clients in a strategic and efficient manner with the experience that comes from running a business and from being seconded for a period of time with a famous brand’s in-house team. This combination of experience as both outside and in-house counsel informs how she delivers pragmatic advice to her clients.
Ms. Pranger has registered and manages thousands of trademark records and prefers to build portfolios with an eye toward enforceability and to align with the client’s budget and business needs. She prides herself in being her client’s partner, not just another outside counsel. Complimenting a strong history of prosecuting and maintaining global trademark portfolios, she is as well-versed on the contentious side of trademark protection.
Early on, Ms. Pranger cut her teeth in litigation by going to the San Francisco District Attorney’s office, under then newly elected District Attorney Kamala Harris, where she dedicated hundreds of hours in court before judges and juries. She has accumulated a long list of trademark and copyright cases litigated before courts and the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board with successful outcomes for her clients. Rounding out her enforcement experience, she has authored and managed thousands of cease and desist efforts, take downs, and UDRP domain name arbitration proceedings, stopping untold violations of her clients’ rights and recovering hundreds of business-critical domain names.
In addition, Ms. Pranger counsels on advertising materials and supports client’s promotions involving their brands. She has developed a robust practice in promotions and is responsible for legal counsel and drafting of hundreds of sweepstakes, contests, cause marketing efforts, and other consumer engagement calls to action. She helps her clients engage consumers by devising promotions with all manner of prizes, including tickets to special events, clothing, luxury trips, and even a car.
J.D., The University of California, Hastings College of the Law
At Hastings, Ms. Pranger was the lead advocate in the National Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Competition, Senior Internet and Communications Editor of the Communications and Entertainment Law Journal, and Founder and President of Internet and Technology Venture Group. She was awarded the American Jurisprudence (AmJur) award for best oral argument and the University Alumni Association awarded her the “Outstanding Student Leader Award.” During law school, Ms. Pranger worked in business development for a start-up company that was later acquired.
B.A., magna cum laude, The University of California, San Diego
Ms. Pranger put herself through University by working full time in sales and was awarded a degree with High Honors by the University.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Ms. Pranger is a longstanding member of the International Trademark Association (INTA) and the California State Bar (2001). She is admitted to practice before the United States Trademark Office and the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board (TTAB), in all California State Courts including the California Supreme Court, United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States District Courts for the Northern District, the Central District, the Eastern District, and the Southern District of California. Ms. Pranger is permitted to and has appeared pro hac vice in United States District Courts in other districts.
As a business owner, for nearly a decade she was a member of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), an international organization of business owners and founders. Ms. Prager is also a proud supporter of numerous charities, including Meals on Wheels, Wounded Warrior, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In 2010, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s nominated her for Woman of the Year for her philanthropic efforts.