Hovey Williams LLP is pleased to announce the election of Dianne M. Smith-Misemer as partner. Ms. Smith-Misemer’s partnership is effective January 1, 2024.

“We are proud to elevate Dianne to partner at Hovey Williams,” said Greg Skoch, co-managing partner at Hovey. “Dianne’s election to partnership reflects her vast experience and value and commitment to our clients. Her election also demonstrates Hovey’s continued commitment to internally developing and promoting attorneys who embody the positive values of our firm.”

Dianne has significant expertise in trademark law and clients rely on her to harness and protect their brands from clearance to commercialization. Her clients range from start-ups to well-known international corporations who trust Dianne’s practical approach and pragmatic solutions. Dianne’s practice focuses on international interests, helping U.S. clients navigate global trademark expansion and guiding foreign companies on securing and enforcing their intellectual property rights in the U.S. She serves as primary outside U.S. counsel responsible for a number of international brands, advising on trademark prosecution, transactions, and litigation in diverse industries including apparel, jewelry, art, food and beverage, software, finance, health care, education, and agriculture. Dianne also regularly prosecutes and defends opposition and cancellations proceedings before the USPTO’s Trademark Trial & Appeal Board.

“My path to partnership wasn’t a traditional one, but it was the right one for me,” said Dianne. “I’m so grateful to my many mentors, colleagues, and clients who nurtured and challenged me, and who always believed in my long game.”

Dianne grew up in Kansas City, MO, and earned her degree in political science from Santa Clara University, in Santa Clara, CA. After college, Dianne worked as a paralegal for a low-income tenant advocacy organization in Detroit, MI. She obtained her law degree from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, IL, with highest honors, graduating Order of the Coif. Dianne is a member of the International Trademark Association, Kansas Bar Association, and Missouri Bar Association and serves as the President of the Rockhurst High School Parents’ Club.