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Overview

Nerissa Coyle McGinn’s practice focuses on matters involving the convergence of advertising and promotions, emerging media, technology, privacy and intellectual property law. More recently, she has focused her practice on counseling clients on legal issues related to NFTs and in the metaverse, including issues on enforcing and exploiting their existing rights.

Nerissa also has particular experience advising on matters involving digital advertising and promotions including on social media platforms; loyalty programs; the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA); and the Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU). Nerissa has a diverse roster of clients ranging from some of the best-known brands to start-up digital companies and app developers. Embracing a business-minded approach, she helps all of her clients develop new brand assets and assists them in promoting and advertising their brands and products. As a thought leader in her industry, Nerissa frequently publishes and speaks at events and conferences. She also serves as the Co-Chair of INTA’s Leadership Development Programming Sub-Committee.

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Education

  • Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.A., magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Trial Bar
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois

Recognition

  • Named "Illinois Super Lawyer" in Intellectual Property and Media and Advertising by Thomson Reuters (2014-2024)
  • Named among “Top Lawyers in Illinois” in Intellectual Property Law, Advertising & Media Law, Arts, Entertainment & Sports Law, and Copyright & Trademark Law by the Leading Lawyers Network (2012-2018)
  • Named in The Legal 500 US in Technology: Data Protection and Privacy (2013), Advertising and Marketing: Transactional & Regulatory (2023 and 2024), and Cyber Law (2023), published by Legalease Limited and John Pritchard
  • Named an “IP Star” by Managing Intellectual Property magazine (2013-2024); Listed in "IP Stars-Top 250 Women in IP" (2013) 
  • Named among "Top 100 Under 50 Diverse Executive Leaders" by Diversity MBA Magazine (2015)

Affiliations

  • Co-Chair of the Tomorrow’s Leader Award Sub-Committee, International Trademark Association
  • Member, Promotions Marketing Association
  • Member, Chicago Bar Association
  • Member, Asian-American Bar Association
  • Former Adjunct Professor, Intellectual Property Legal Writing; U.S. Advertising Law, John Marshall Law School
  • Former Instructor, Undergraduate Trial Advocacy, University of Illinois