Deborah J. Peckham
Partner | Chair, Intellectual Property
overview
Deborah Peckham is a partner and Chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property group.
Deb provides intellectual property counseling and enforcement advice, with a focus on strategic acquisition and maintenance of domestic and international intellectual property assets, including trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Deb also has specialized knowledge in general commercial and intellectual property licensing agreements, as well as privacy, data protection and information law. She represents clients in a variety of industries, including high-tech, internet and ecommerce companies, and she often specializes in working with start-ups and venture-backed entities doing business in the fields of computers, software, and ecommerce.
education
J.D., magna cum laude, Order of Coif, Boston College Law School, 1993
A.B., cum laude, University of Michigan, 1983
admissions
Massachusetts
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
honors & awards
World Trademark Review 1000 — The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals (2015-present)
The Best Lawyers in America© Best Lawyer, Copyright Law, Trademark Law & Litigation – Intellectual Property (2019-2025)
community involvement
Emmaus, Inc.
- Board Member
Emmaus, Inc. is a non-profit charitable organization serving the needs of the homeless in Massachusetts.
LeadBoston
- Participant (2023)
LeadBoston is a highly competitive program that furthers the work of YW Boston by equipping mid- to senior-level professionals with inclusive leadership skills.
memberships
American Bar Association
- Intellectual Property Law Section
American Intellectual Property Law Association
Boston Bar Association
Boston Patent Law Association
International Trademark Association
- Enforcement Committee
- Courts & Tribunals Subcommittee
Massachusetts Bar Association
articles
articles
“Intellectual Property Practice,” contributing author, MCLE, January 2016
“Intellectual Property and the Entrepreneur: Are You Protected?” Boston Spirit Magazine, March/April 2014
“The Red-Soled Shoes Debate,” BostInno, October 23, 2012
“Presidential Branding: Trademarking on the Campaign Trail,” BostInno, October 5, 2012
“How shoe soles might impact mobile iconography,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, June 14, 2012
“United States of America (Chapter in Protecting Brands Online),” The European Lawyer Reference Series, 2012
“Get To Know Us,” Boston Spirit Magazine, May/June 2012
“Inside the Minds: Recent Trends in Trademark Protection,” Aspatore, 2012
“Introduction to Trademark Law, Intellectual Property Practice,” contributing author, MCLE, October 2011
“.XXX Is Here. Have You Prepared Yourself?” Intellectual Property Update, October 2011
“The Value of Pursuing a TM Portfolio,” Burns & Levinson Brand Bulletin, August 2010
“Get To Know Us…,” Boston Spirit Magazine, Seasonal People Issue, May/June 2010
“Legal Risks Associated with Interactive Marketing Campaigns and Social Networks,” Focus [Page 1], Spring 2010
quotes
“Data Brokers Know Far More About Consumers Than Consumers About Them, Says FTC,” LXBN.com, May 2014
“New .xxx Domain Could Hurt Businesses,” CBS Boston, October 2011
“How do I avoid legal issues in my social media campaigns?” DMNews, May 2010
“Lawyers jump to smaller firms to charge lower rates,” Boston Business Journal, January 2010
speaking engagements
“Modeling the Way,” Panelist, Open Enrollment Women’s Leadership Program – Babson College, October 2021
“Legal 101,” Speaker, Babson’s Black Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, May 2021
“Brexit and Intellectual Property in Europe: What You Need to Know,” Webinar Host, Burns & Levinson’s Intellectual Property Group, January 2021
“BBA Webinar: Global Trademark Searching and Clearance: Strategies and Tips for a Post-Pandemic World,” Speaker, Boston Bar Association, June 2020