"World Trademark Review" magazine has named Womble Carlyle attorneys Sarah Keefe, John Morrow and Randy Springer to the 2017 edition of the World Trademark Review 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals.

The WTR 1000 research directory focuses on “identifying the trademark industry’s leading lights in 72 jurisdictions around the world.” Candidates are ranked according to market research, and are included independently of any commercial considerations.

The WTR 1000 entry on Womble Carlyle is as follows: “The Winston-Salem office of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice was its first to open in 1876; since then, the firm has bloomed into a full-service offering across numerous states, with a prominent presence in the North Carolina market. Chairing the IP litigation group is John Morrow, whose trial skills are a source of praise; he handles cases with superb efficiency and practicality. Colleague Randel Springer is a “remarkable all-rounder” – a dab hand at clearing and prosecuting marks, he is also more than capable of enforcing and protecting them too, when necessary. Completing the trio is Sarah Anne Keefe, a “trademark superstar” with abundant experience of portfolio management and tactical maneuvering in and out of IP disputes. A stint on INTA’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee lends credence to her proficiency in resolving conflicts.”

Sarah Keefe has more than 20 years experience in developing, clearing, registering and protecting trademarks and service marks. Her particular experience is in pharmaceutical trademarks and developing and efficiently maintaining worldwide intellectual property portfolios through the use of technology and web-based information tools. Keefe practices in Womble Carlyle’s Research Triangle Park, N.C. office.

John Morrow currently chairs Womble Carlyle’s Intellectual Property Litigation Group, where for over two decades he has focused his practice on handling all aspects of trademark infringement, patent infringement, unfair competition, copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation, false advertising, antitrust lawsuits, and data breach/cybersecurity lawsuits and investigations. He practices in the firm’s Winston-Salem, N.C. office.

Randy Springer is the leader of Womble Carlyle's Trademark Team. For more than 25 years, he has guided clients in selecting, clearing, registering, maintaining and defending trademarks. Springer acts as a trusted IP advisor to clients at all stages of the trademark life cycle, and is a North Carolina Board Certified Trademark Specialist. In addition to his trademark practice, Springer also has experience counseling clients in copyright issues and trademark licensing. He practices in Womble Carlyle’s Winston-Salem office.