Susan Kohlmann is an award-winning litigator with significant experience in high-stakes intellectual property and commercial disputes. Having successfully litigated and tried numerous high-profile cases, Susan’s practice encompasses copyright, trademark, false advertising, and trade secrets law as well as defamation and complex contract disputes. She is Co-Chair of Jenner & Block’s Trademark, Advertising, and Unfair Competition Practice.
Representing entertainment and media industry giants, including film studios and television networks, new technology companies, and others in media and entertainment, she has tackled some of the most significant issues the industry has faced and deftly navigates clients at the convergence of content and technology. Susan litigates cases addressing critical issues threatening her clients’ ability to exploit their creative works and key brands and clarifies the reach and application of federal law to new technologies and their content distribution platforms.
Susan guides clients in recognizing which issues are worth a fight. Then, she forges a litigation strategy, leaving no stone unturned to achieve success.
A litigation trailblazer, Susan secured a $100 million trademark infringement dispute win for ViacomCBS over an MTV reality show title. Susan represented Diageo in connection with its famous Bulleit whiskey brand, successfully enjoining the continued sale of Redemption whiskey following a three-week jury trial in which the jury confirmed that Diageo’s Bulleit brand was famous and that Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits’ Redemption bottle diluted its distinctiveness. Susan has also protected at trial and on appeal John Steinbeck’s estate’s right to control the use of the author’s iconic works.
Susan served as the President of the New York City Bar Association from 2022-2024. In 2022, New York Law Journal named Susan “Attorney of the Year.”
I am passionate about advocating for my clients and finding solutions that advance their business objectives.
Areas of Focus
Credentials
Service / Recognition
Overview
Susan Kohlmann is an award-winning litigator with significant experience in high-stakes intellectual property and commercial disputes. Having successfully litigated and tried numerous high-profile cases, Susan’s practice encompasses copyright, trademark, false advertising, and trade secrets law as well as defamation and complex contract disputes. She is Co-Chair of Jenner & Block’s Trademark, Advertising, and Unfair Competition Practice.
Representing entertainment and media industry giants, including film studios and television networks, new technology companies, and others in media and entertainment, she has tackled some of the most significant issues the industry has faced and deftly navigates clients at the convergence of content and technology. Susan litigates cases addressing critical issues threatening her clients’ ability to exploit their creative works and key brands and clarifies the reach and application of federal law to new technologies and their content distribution platforms.
Susan guides clients in recognizing which issues are worth a fight. Then, she forges a litigation strategy, leaving no stone unturned to achieve success.
A litigation trailblazer, Susan secured a $100 million trademark infringement dispute win for ViacomCBS over an MTV reality show title. Susan represented Diageo in connection with its famous Bulleit whiskey brand, successfully enjoining the continued sale of Redemption whiskey following a three-week jury trial in which the jury confirmed that Diageo’s Bulleit brand was famous and that Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits’ Redemption bottle diluted its distinctiveness. Susan has also protected at trial and on appeal John Steinbeck’s estate’s right to control the use of the author’s iconic works.
Susan served as the President of the New York City Bar Association from 2022-2024. In 2022, New York Law Journal named Susan “Attorney of the Year.”
I am passionate about advocating for my clients and finding solutions that advance their business objectives.
Areas of Focus
Credentials
Admissions
- New York, 1983
Education
- Columbia University School of Law, JD, Jane Marks Murphy Prize, 1982
- Yale University, BA, 1979
Court Admissions
- US Supreme Court, 2004
- US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 1984
- US Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 2000
- US Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 2016
- US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 2015
- US District Court, Eastern District of New York, 1983
- US District Court, Southern District of New York, 1983
Service / Recognition
Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America, Media Law, 2021; Copyright Law, 2024, 2026
- City & State New York, The 2023 Law Power 100, 2023
- National Law Journal, Intellectual Property Trailblazer, 2023
- New York Law Journal, Attorney of the Year, 2022
- Bloomberg Law, Pro Bono Innovators Honoree, 2022
- Chambers USA, Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets (New York), 2015-2026; Media & Entertainment: Litigation (New York), 2026
- Managing Intellectual Property, IP Stars (Trademark Star, Copyright Star), 2014-2025; Top 250 Women in IP, 2014
- Legal 500, Intellectual Property, Copyright, 2011, 2013, 2018-2021; Leading Lawyer, Litigation, Supreme Court and Appellate, 2011; Media, Technology and Telecoms, Media and Entertainment, 2018-2020; Media and Entertainment, Litigation, 2021
- New York Metro Super Lawyers, 2006-2023, in Intellectual Property Litigation, Civil Litigation: Defense, Entertainment & Sports, General Litigation, and Class Action/Mass Torts
- New York Law Journal, Distinguished Leader, 2019
- National Law Journal, Intellectual Property Trailblazer, 2018
- Legal Services NYC, Top Pro Bono Advocate, 2015
- New York County Lawyers Association, Outstanding Women of the Bar, 2004
Community
- Legal Services NYC, Former Chair, Board of Directors; Member
- New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, Chair, Board of Directors
- Riverdale Country School, Former Trustee
Service to the Bar
- New York City Bar Association, President, 2022-2024; Former Member, Executive Committee; Former Member, Nominating Committee; Past Chair, Committee to Enhance Diversity
- City Bar Justice Center, Member, Board of Directors