Susan J. Latham

Susan J. Latham is a South Florida Intellectual Property Attorney focused on trademark, dilution, trade dress, cybersquatting, false designation and copyright actions. Her 20+ year career has been dedicated to litigating high-stakes intellectual property litigations in not only Florida Federal and state courts, but also in New York and New Jersey (where she is likewise licensed). Additionally, Ms. Latham is seasoned in bringing trademark cancellation and opposition proceedings before the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), ICANN domain name disputes before the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), as well as arbitrations before the American Arbitration Association (AAA).

Susan is a nationally recognized figure in false advertising under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a) and related state consumer protection laws, including the Florida Deceptive & Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA). This also includes her advocacy under New York's FAIR Business Practices Act (General Business Law (GBL) § 349) and False Advertising Act (General Business Law (GBL) § 350) – as well as New Jersey's similar framework found in the recently revised New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act (CFA) (N.J.S.A. 56:8-1 et seq.). Relatedly, her considerable experience extends to defending both Schedule A as well as class action claims brought under the Lanham Act.

Apart from Lanham Act and related state claims, Ms. Latham practices in advancing and defending disputes relating to misappropriation of name, image and likeness (NIL) under Florida Statute § 540.08, invasion of privacy, and the improper use of AI-generative digital content online (including under Fla. Stat. § 106.145, §§ 501.1736–501.1738, Fla. Stat. § 501.981, Fla. Stat. § 784.049 and Fla. Stat. §836.13). Ms. Latham also defends session replay violations under Florida's Security of Communications Act (Fla. Stat. § 934.01) and website inaccessibility claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

In addition to litigation, Susan also assists clients with the registration and maintenance of their trademarks, trade dress and copyrights. Susan also has experience with the enforcement tools of the U.S. Customs Border Control. While earning her Master of Laws degree, Susan worked in the legal department of the legendary fashion and lifestyle brand, Kate Spade, LLC, to enforce the company's trademarks and copyrights, including recording the company's trademarks with the U.S. Customs Border Control in an effort to stop the flow of counterfeits entering the U.S.

Susan's client focus has particular focus on health & beauty as well as luxury goods – including regarding fragrance, hair care, skin care, cosmetic, and general wellness products. Additional areas of focus include the intersection of fashion and social media, along with related e-commerce website sales.

Susan is a published author whose work has been published by leading scholarly and trade publications, such as: the Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal; Thomson Reuter's Westlaw Journal of Intellectual Property; and Practical Winery & Vineyard.