Protect what
you’re building.
Trademark guidance from an attorney with more than 30 years of legal experience — and firsthand experience building businesses.
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Discover what every business owner should know about protecting their brand, avoiding costly mistakes, and making informed trademark decisions.
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- 30+ Years of Legal Experience
- Award-Winning Attorney
- Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel
- Berkeley Law Graduate
- Founder of Multiple Businesses
Welcome to Dinah Rainey Law
A personal welcome from Dinah, and an introduction to the firm.
A stronger start for your brand.
Explore three essentials before investing in your name, your website, or your next chapter.
Explore Trademark ServicesA stronger start
for your brand.
Dinah Rainey Law
Choose a name you can protect.
Learn whether your business name may conflict with existing trademarks before investing in packaging, a website, or marketing.
Before you name it 01 / 03Give your brand a clear plan.
What matters most right now: your name, your logo, or your tagline? We talk about your business, decide what to protect first, and plan the application together.
Before you name it 02 / 03Know the cost before you start.
You should know what comes next and what it costs. Explore published flat fees, choose the support that fits your business, and get a quote before additional work begins.
Before you name it 03 / 03Build your brand with confidence.
Take the next step when you’re ready.
Get the Free GuideTrademark law can be complicated.
Working with your trademark lawyer shouldn’t be.
Your name. Your logo. The tagline people repeat back to you. Those are the pieces of your business that customers actually recognize — and the pieces someone else can start using while you’re busy running the place.
A federal registration is how you put the country on notice that the name belongs to you. It is also one of the few assets in a small business that gets more valuable the longer you own it.
Most business owners don’t need a lecture on any of that. They need someone to tell them, clearly, what they’re dealing with and what it costs.
Your name, logo and tagline identify your business. Get clear guidance on protecting them, with fees you know in advance.
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01 — A name you can defend
Not every name can be registered
Some names are too descriptive. Some are too close to something already out there. Finding that out before you print packaging is considerably cheaper than finding out after.
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02 — A strategy, then a filing
Filing is easy. Filing strategically is the point
The application form is short. Deciding what to claim, how to describe it and which class it belongs in is where the actual work lives — and where applications are won or lost.
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03 — A price you knew in advance
No surprises is a pretty good policy
You should know what your legal services will cost before you commit. My website lists my primary flat fees, and I’ll provide a clear quote for any additional services before moving forward.
Find the information you need
Start with the question in front of you, then find the next clear step for your brand.
Start Here
New to trademarks? Build a clear foundation before you choose a name, logo or tagline.
Explore resources
Before You File
Know what to check before investing in an application.
Explore resources
The Trademark Process
From application to registration and beyond: what happens once you file.
Explore resourcesFind the right support for your brand
Your Trademark Journey: Five Key Stages
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01
Free Consultation
Talk about your business, your goals, and how my services may help.
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02
Search, Evaluation & Strategy
Comprehensive search, written opinion, and a strategy session.
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03
Application Prepared & Filed
Your trademark strategy translated into a complete application.
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04
USPTO Examination
Application monitoring, communications, and Office Action responses within the scope of your services.
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05
Registration & Maintenance
Celebrate registration and understand the maintenance deadlines. Post-registration services are separate.
I understand entrepreneurs because I am one.
Over the years I have started, owned and operated a number of businesses — three law firms, a real estate investment company, and a women’s divorce coaching business.
So I know what it feels like to choose a name, build a brand, pay for a website and spend money before you know what the return will be. I also know what it is like to do all of that while raising a family.
When a client brings me a trademark, I don’t see a name on an application. I see the business behind it, the years behind that, and usually a fairly personal reason it exists at all.
I have built businesses myself. I understand the decisions, investment and personal commitment behind your brand.
Good systems, so the attention stays personal
Technology should make working with a lawyer easier, not more complicated.
01 Getting Started Online
Engagement letter, intake and payment handled online. No printing, no scanning, no driving anywhere to sign something.
02 Everything in One Place
Your documents, your invoices and our messages live in a secure client portal you can open at 11pm on a Tuesday if that’s when you have time.
03 I Keep You Informed
When the USPTO sends something, I tell you what it says in plain English and what it means for your application.
Use the sections above to explore the photo slideshow. Play and Pause control the automatic rotation.
Clients who keep coming back
“She does her homework, looks at every angle, and gives me clear advice I know I can trust.”
Her guidance helped me get the result I wanted. She is the first attorney I call whenever I need advice.
Testimonials reflect individual experiences in a variety of legal matters. Every matter is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Latest articles
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Name or logo first? How to decide what to trademark
Your name and your logo may both matter. Understand the protection each offers and the factors that can help you decide which to register first.
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What an Office Action Actually Is
Received a USPTO Office Action? Learn what it means, common reasons for refusals, response deadlines, and when to seek help.
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What a Trademark Search Actually Tells You
A comprehensive trademark search goes beyond identical names and the USPTO database. Learn what the results—and the legal analysis—can tell you.
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Before You Fall in Love With That Business Name
An available business name does not necessarily mean you have the legal right to use it. Understand trademark conflicts before investing in your brand.
You don’t need to know the terminology
That’s what I’m here for. A few of the questions I get asked most often.
What is a trademark?
A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, design, or combination of these that identifies your products or services and distinguishes them from those offered by others. Your business name, logo, or slogan may qualify as a trademark.
Do I need to register my trademark?
Not necessarily. You may have certain trademark rights simply by using your mark in business. However, federal registration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) offers additional legal protections and benefits that can make it easier to protect your brand.
How much do your trademark services cost?
I offer both comprehensive flat-fee packages and pay-as-you-go services, depending on your needs. My goal is to make pricing straightforward and transparent so you know what to expect before we begin working together. You can find information about my services and pricing on my Trademark Services page.
How long does the trademark registration process take?
As a general estimate, most applications take roughly a year or more from filing to registration. USPTO timelines vary by application, and legal or procedural issues can add time. Every timeframe is an estimate, not a guarantee.
You’ve worked hard to build your brand.
Let’s talk about protecting it.
Your initial consultation is free. We’ll talk about your business, your trademark goals, and how I may be able to help you protect your brand. You’ll also learn more about my services and what it’s like to work with me.A Free Consultation to discuss your brand and understand your options.