Margaret Avril Lawson

Summary

Since joining Taft in 1982, Margaret has developed proficiency negotiating licenses and technology transfer agreements in high-stakes industries that include biomedical technology, software, e-commerce, data storage and security, publishing, and franchising. As an attorney in the firm’s Intellectual Property group, Margaret’s practice focuses on trademark, trade secret, copyright, and right of publicity.

Margaret also oversees the registration and maintenance of IP portfolios in the United States and foreign countries and assists clients with cross-border transactions. She has worked on a variety of business and transactional matters at Taft, including mergers, acquisitions, and financing transactions.

Margaret has exemplified the Taft commitment to collaboration in every project. With clients ranging from start-up businesses, inventors, and nonprofit organizations to well-established research institutions, banks, and multinational corporations, Margaret has a reputation for helping clients navigate sensitive and complex issues.

During her career as a Partner at Taft, Margaret served on the firm’s executive committee, chaired the IP Group and led the firm wide communication committee. She also served as a member of the firm’s recruiting committee.

Margaret graduated from Dartmouth College, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, and received her J.D. from Harvard Law School. She is a member of the Cincinnati Intellectual Property Law Association and the Intellectual Property Law Section of the American Bar Association and serves as Vice President of the Harvard Law School Association of Cincinnati. A published writer and experienced presenter in trademark, copyright, and licensing law, Margaret regularly participates in and moderates the International Trademark Association’s roundtable discussions concerning the right of publicity, trademark, and other intellectual property topics.

Awards

  • Honoree, Best Lawyers in America (2009 – present)

  • Award Image

    Honoree, Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America (2015, 2016, 2019, 2021)

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    Honoree, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Intellectual Property (2011 – present)

  • Honoree, Ohio Super Lawyers, Intellectual Property (2004 – 2007, 2015 – 2018)

  • Honoree, Leading Lawyers, Copyright & Trademark (2006 – 2020)

  • Top 10 Tristate Women in Business Law Honoree, Cincy Women’s Business Magazine (2007)

  • Shattered Glass Award Honoree (2017)

  • Leading Women in Law Honoree, Leading Woman (1999)

  • Honoree, IP Stars, Managing Intellectual Property (2019)

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Education

  • Harvard Law School (1982)
  • Dartmouth College (1979)

Admissions

  • Federal - Southern District of Ohio
  • State - Ohio

News

Past Events

Professional Affiliations

  • AV Peer Review Rating (LexisNexis/Martindale-Hubbell)

    Awarded

  • American Bar Association

    Member

  • Cincinnati Bar Association

    Member

  • Cincinnati Intellectual Property Law Association

    Member

  • International Trademark Association

    Roundtable Moderator

  • Leadership Cincinnati

    Member, Class XXIV

  • One Hundred Wise Women

    Wise Woman/Speaker

Community Involvement

  • Doorstep Music, Inc.

    Former Board Member

  • Economics Center at University of Cincinnati

    Trustee, Board of Trustees

  • Executive Service Corps of Cincinnati

    Former Trustee, Board of Trustees

  • Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce

    Member, Steering Committee of Leadership Cincinnati

  • Greater Cincinnati Foundation

    Member, Leadership Council, The Women’s Fund

  • Harvard Club of Cincinnati

    Past President
    Past Director

  • Harvard Law School Association

    Vice President
    Director

  • International Dyslexia Association

    Legal Advisor
    Member, Southern Ohio Board

  • Seven Hills School

    Former Trustee

  • Shriners Hospital for Children

    Volunteer

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