Dale Cendali

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Dale Cendali is the head of Kirkland’s Copyright, Trademark, Internet, and Advertising practice group. Dale is a “preeminent leader in the field of IP” (Chambers), having successfully litigated and tried numerous high-profile cases. Her practice spans the district court to the United States Supreme Court, where most recently she achieved a major victory arguing and winning 9-0 a case for Lucky Brand LLC in its trademark dispute with Marcel concerning the LUCKY BRAND house mark. Dale’s practice encompasses copyright, trademark, false advertising, Internet, and trade secrets law, as well as defamation, the right of publicity, privacy, complex contract disputes (including in the arbitration context) and similar areas.

Dale’s numerous accolades include being named by The National Law Journal as one of the “100 Most Influential Lawyers in America.” Law360 named her one of the 25 “Icons of IP” who “have made an indelible mark in the IP area.” Dale was also acknowledged by Managing IP as “Outstanding IP Litigator: New York.” Managing IP also named her trial victory for J.K. Rowling on the high-profile “Lexicon” fair use case “Copyright Trial of the Year.” Dale was repeatedly named to The Hollywood Reporter’s “Power Lawyers,” a list of Hollywood’s top 100 attorneys. In addition, Dale has repeatedly been recognized as a leading lawyer by Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 U.S. Most recently, she was honored with the prestigious President’s Award from the International Trademark Association (INTA) in acknowledgement of her preeminent contributions to the trademark community.

Dale is a prolific writer and has long been active in the bar. She is a member of INTA’s Amicus Committee, formerly served as Counsel to the INTA Board, and chaired the Copyright, Dilution and Enforcement committees. Dale has served on the Council for the American Bar Association’s IP Section and is the current chair of its Amicus Committee. She is co-editor of the ABA Copyright Litigation Strategies Handbook, as well as author of its chapter on “The Fair Use Defense: Strategic Considerations.” Dale has chaired several committees for the New York City Bar Association, including the IP Leadership Council, and currently serves on the Copyright Committee. She is an Advisor to the American Law Institute’s Restatement of Copyright Law project. Dale is also an adjunct professor at Harvard Law School, teaching a popular course on copyright and trademark litigation.

Dale is a graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School.