Biography
Megan K. Bannigan is a partner and member in Debevoise & Plimpton LLP’s Litigation and Intellectual Property & Media Groups, focusing on trademarks, trade dress, copyrights, false advertising, design patents, rights of publicity, licensing and other contractual disputes. She represents clients across a range of industries, including consumer products, cosmetics, entertainment, fashion and luxury goods, financial services, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, professional sports and technology.
Recognized by Managing Intellectual Property’s IP STARS and Law360 as a Rising Star, Ms. Bannigan is known for “translat[ing] complex legal issues into clear pragmatic legal advice.” She is recognized as a Next Generation Partner by The Legal 500 US (2021), where she is lauded for her “tremendous drive, unsurpassed knowledge, creative solutions and quick, insightful communications.” She is ranked as a top practitioner by World Trademark Review (2020), which reports that she has “deep substantive knowledge married to a practical approach and is not intimidated by the most challenging cases or counterparties.”
Ms. Bannigan is a frequent speaker and panel member for business, legal practice and educational groups across the country and is frequently quoted, mentioned and published in national and international publications, including Bloomberg, Reuters, Managing Intellectual Property, The World Trademark Review, Practical Law, Intellectual Property Magazine and Law360, as a legal authority. In December 2019, Ms. Bannigan testified as an expert before the United States Senate Judiciary Intellectual Property Subcommittee on the issue of fraudulent trademarks.
Ms. Bannigan is also an adjunct professor, teaching Advanced Trademark and False Advertising Law at NYU School of Law and Fashion Law at Rutgers School of Law.
Ms. Bannigan is active in intellectual property-related professional organizations, including the International Trademark Association, for which she spearheaded the development of INTA’s Pro Bono clearinghouse, was a member of the 2019 Presidential Task Force focusing on corporate responsibility and brands for a better society and, in 2017, was awarded the Volunteer Service Award for Advancement of the Association. She also currently serves as Counsel to the INTA Foundation. Ms. Bannigan is also Chair of the American Bar Association - IPL Trademark Litigation Committee, as well as Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Section’s Landslide Magazine. In both 2020 and 2021, Ms. Bannigan was the recipient of ABA-IPL Section Leadership Achievement Award.