Timothy Capria

Career

Tim assists clients, including major multinational brands, with overall management of their intellectual property portfolios.

After initially pursuing a career in a life sciences laboratory, Tim realized that he wanted to work in a field where he could regularly interact with people—specifically, a role that would combine his scientific knowledge with client consulting and advising. Intellectual property law was a perfect fit, and after earning his law degree, Tim began assisting clients with patent prosecution. He later shifted the focus of his practice to trademark law.

Tim provides trademark portfolio management and counseling to clients, including both the registration and filing of trademarks and the policing of potential mark infringement domestically and abroad. Many of the clients Tim represents have hundreds of trademarks worldwide, and he has a special focus on franchisors, consumer goods manufacturers and distributors, and entertainers and music artists.

Tim builds IP strategies that fit client resources and client needs—and that add value to client businesses. Determining which trademarks to protect and police, and where around the globe to protect and police them, is an essential part of portfolio management, and Tim draws on his decade of experience to advise clients on high-value, practical strategies.

Although not primarily a litigator, Tim has successfully represented clients in more than a dozen Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) proceedings. His experience includes representing a national franchise retailer against a major sporting goods manufacturer in a highly publicized federal trademark infringement lawsuit, and he has successfully defended clients accused of trademark infringement.

Tim routinely works with internationally known brands and is highly knowledgeable about the process of building and protecting a brand through IP strategy. In addition to his trademark practice, he also advises clients on truth in advertising issues, including health and safety or environmental advertising claims.

Clients appreciate that Tim not only knows the trademark world but also the corporate arena: after beginning his legal career in-house at Amazon, he has an inside understanding of how a corporate legal department functions and how outside counsel can be most helpful. Tim has a strong reputation as a business-oriented attorney who intuitively grasps the massive financial value trademarks represent for clients.

Professional Memberships

International Trademark Association (INTA), Trademark Office Practices Committee, 2024-2025

Tennessee Intellectual Property Law Association

Nashville Bar Association

Tennessee Bar Association