What does a trademark attorney’s day to day work look like? Maryland Carey Law students were offered a firsthand glimpse, thanks to alumna Dana Molk ’22, who presented “Understanding and Practicing Trademark Law” to share her experience as a trademark attorney on March 25, 2026.
Organized by Maryland Intellectual Property Student Association Vice President Dorey Vernon ’27, the event provided students with a glimpse into the daily life of a practicing trademark attorney. Molk shared her career path from law student, to junior associate at an IP litigation firm in Delaware, to her current role as a trademark examiner with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The session also included a “Trademark Trek,” which was an opportunity to compete in searching trademarks utilizing the tools that Molk uses every day. The activity required research and attention to detail. Students left the session with a stronger understanding of trademark practice and valuable insight into the skills and pathways that support a career in intellectual property law.
Brianna Calloway ’28 commented, “I thought the Trademark Trek was extremely engaging. I have not had many opportunities to learn about trademarks specifically and found Dana’s presentation insightful. I appreciated her explanation of the common reasons the USPTO may refuse an application and her discussion of the different things you can trademark. The scavenger hunt at the end was also super fun, and although it was a bit of a challenge, I thought it was a great way to show just how prevalent trademarks are in our everyday lives and how much goes into it.”