.01
Bio
Mariessa Terrell ( [MUH] + [REE] + [SA] ) is a native Washingtonian, barred in the District of Columbia and Maryland, who has been practicing law for over 20 years, specializing in trademark, trademark enforcement, licensing and contracts. After a 17 year hiatus, Mariessa returned to the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in March 2020. In October 2022, Mariessa assumed the role of Attorney Advisor to the Trademarks Customer Outreach section where she develops the USPTO educational programs for experienced trademark practitioners.
Prior to returning to the USPTO, Mariessa worked as founding partner of Innovation PI Law where she provided marketing, intellectual property docketing services, software licensing and intellectual property law services to a variety of corporate and business development clients, including: Lockheed Martin Corporation Information Systems and Global Services; Leidos Corporation, the University of the District of Columbia; the Washington Baptist Seminary; Global Villages Publishing, Raine Magazine; Gloria Gelfand Marketing Co. and many others. Mariessa also served as a law Clerk for the Honorable Judge Cheryl Long, who presided over the Tax Division of the Superior Court of District of Columbia.
In 2004, Mariessa created a special division of her firm dedicated to addressing the unique needs of fashion purveyors.
In 2006, Mariessa drafted legislation to create a DC Commission on Fashion Arts and Events; and in 2013, Mayor Vincent Gray appointed Mariessa to serve as a DC Fashion Commissioner. In 2018, Mayor Muriel Bowser reappointed Mariessa to serve an additional 4 years.
In 2015, Mariessa assumed the role of Adjunct Professor & Supervising Attorney of the Howard University School of Law Intellectual Property Law Clinic.
In October 2017, Mariessa was retained by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. to help manage their trademark portfolio and oversee IP enforcement.
In addition to practicing law, Mariessa serves as the Executive Director of the High Tea Society, a mentoring program for girls in Washington, DC and produces and hosts #DCisFashion, a 30 min episodic television series airing on DCN channel 16. Mariessa is also a creative writer and has published several short stories featuring her alter ego, Simone Butterfly.