Megan K. Bannigan specializes in intellectual property law: trademark, copyright, design patents, false advertising, rights of publicity and related matters. She is a partner at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, a major international law firm, representing clients across a range of industries, including fashion and luxury goods, entertainment, professional sports, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, consumer products and financial services. She also has extensive trial experience, as well as an active pro bono docket.
Recognized by Managing Intellectual Property’s IP STARS and Law360 as a Rising Star, she is known for “translat[ing] complex legal issues into clear pragmatic legal advice.” Ms. Bannigan is recognized as a Next Generation Partner by The Legal 500 US (2021), where she is lauded for her “tremendous drive, unsurpassed knowledge, creative solutions and quick, insightful communications.” She is ranked as a top practitioner by World Trademark Review(2020), which reports that she has “deep substantive knowledge married to a practical approach and is not intimidated by the most challenging cases or counterparties.”
Ms. Bannigan is also a frequent speaker and panel member for business, legal practice and educational groups across the country and is frequently quoted, mentioned and published in national and international publications, including Bloomberg, Reuters, Managing Intellectual Property, The World Trademark Review, Practical Law, Intellectual Property Magazine and Law360, as a legal authority on trademark and copyright matters. In December 2019, Ms. Bannigan testified as an expert before the United States Senate Judiciary Intellectual Property Subcommittee on the issue of fraudulent trademarks.
Ms. Bannigan is active in intellectual property-related professional organizations, including the International Trademark Association, for which she spearheaded the development of INTA’s Pro Bono clearinghouse, was a member of the 2019 Presidential Task Force focusing on corporate responsibility and brands for a better society and, in 2017, was awarded the Volunteer Service Award for Advancement of the Association. She also currently serves as Counsel to the INTA Foundation. Ms. Bannigan is also Chair of the American Bar Association - IPL Trademark Litigation Committee, as well as member of the Section’s Nominating Committee and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Section’s Landslide Magazine. In both 2020 and 2021, Ms. Bannigan was the recipient of ABA-IPL Section Leadership Achievement Award. Ms. Bannigan is also a member of the NYC Bar Council on IP and Fashion Law Committee.
In addition to teaching Fashion Law at Rutgers, teaches Trademark and False Advertising Law at NYU School of Law. She previously was a Clinical Visiting Lecturer at Law at Yale Law School.
Ms. Bannigan joined Debevoise in in 2007. From 2008 to 2009, she clerked for the Honorable Mary Little Cooper of the United States District Court for District of New Jersey. Prior to joining Debevoise, Ms. Bannigan worked in the Office of the New Jersey Governor.
She received her J.D. with high honors from Rutgers School of Law – Camden in 2007, where she served as Production Editor of the Rutgers Law Journal. She received a B.A. with honors from Rutgers College in 2002. Ms. Bannigan is a member of the Bars of New York and New Jersey and is admitted to practice before the Southern District of New York and District of New Jersey.