Trestle Law

February is Black History Month. Because we are a Black-owned IP firm, we will be delving into the history of Black intellectual property - celebrating its creators and also exploring how the system was intentionally set up to exclude Black people from reaping the benefits of their own creations. Our founder, @kristen_roberts_esq, has posted about this history before, but starting with this background information will help you understand exactly how difficult it was for Black inventors and creators to protect what should’ve been theirs, and how this type of early exclusion has led to the inability to protect it as time went on. Remember, IP helps build GENERATIONAL WEALTH. #blackhistorymonth #blackintellectualproperty #blackIPmatters #protectBlackIP #celebrateBlackIP #celebrateblackinventors

Infringement happens. Which can lead to getting a cease and desist letter (or nastygram as I like to call them). Don’t compromise yourself further by admitting liability - especially if they’re asking for compensation. Even sending an apology before consulting counsel can hurt your case. Here are some basic tips for dealing with cease and desist letters! #howilawyer #trestlelaw #ipattorney #protectyourip #biztips #smallbizattorney #sandiegolawyer

Nothing bothers me more than a short-sighted entrepreneur who thinks they don’t need any sort of IP protection or strategy until they’re bigger. *groaaan * Laying the right groundwork from the get-go not only ensures you are well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities when they pop up, but also help you address infringement faster and more efficiently. Don’t fall flat on your face after all that hard work! Don’t know where to start? Check out my #linkinbio for my 90 min IP workshop for entrepreneurs! #howilawyer #ipprotection #intellectualproperty #trademarks #copyright #patents #smallbiztips #entrepreneurlife #protectyourIP #buildingwealth #getthatshmoney

Why invest in legal help now? Without it, you could end up spending a lot more cash in defending against someone else or even rebranding your entire business. Don't waste your hard-earned money and valuable time planning for a business and leave out the most important piece: protection. ... howilawyer #iplaw #intellectualproperty #lawyerlife #themoreyouknow #brandprotection #legalwork

If you have a caring life partner, you help the other person when that person needs it. - RBG. One thing I admired most about RBG’s marriage, is that she and Marty always seemed to understand the importance of give and take. I don’t like to say balance, because I don’t think it really exists. Rather, it’s about understanding that each person in the marriage is a partner, and sometimes one partner takes on more than their share of the collective work in order to help advan...ce the career, needs, and development of the other. I truly found my Marty in @nickaroberts. He has always been my biggest cheerleader and source of encouragement. He’s patient, incredibly kind, committed, dedicated, one of the smartest people I know, loves me endlessly, makes me laugh harder than anyone, and also kicks ass as an accomplished shareholder at a civil engineering firm where he manages huge-scale quasi-governmental projects. That is to say, we both have demanding jobs, but there is never a time where Nick isn’t there to cook a meal, clean up the house, plan a weekend getaway, head to the beach, take a bike ride, take B for an extra hour so I can respond to emails, pick her up when I can’t be reached, look over my budget, cheer on my wins, or talk me down from the ledge. He is the epitome of a partner in every way, and I am more than happy to give him this shameless #appreciationpost today. I love you, Nick! Thank you for being you. #husbandlove See more

WORKSHOP GIVEAWAY CLOSED!! Thank you to all who entered! I am tagging the winners in this post. By now, you all know I’m a huge advocate of protecting your IP, and that historically the law hasn’t been equitable when it comes to giving BIPOC avenues to protect their IP.... We had 14 entries total. Instead of picking 10 winners, I am giving away 14 seats. That’s right! EVERYONE who entered is getting to attend! @phoenixrisingbirthworks @leahbethm @edmabrey @soultrysisters @bestofbothworldsdoula @thrival @mothersisterfriend_doula @glitterthesoul @porschethedoula @instyleblading @teamskninc @earthsnaturaltouch @thee_khali_b Please DM your email addresses, so I can send you your unique coupon code as well as get you ready for tomorrow! Remember, there is still time to submit questions you have to be answered during the LIVE Q&A! Thank you, and can’t wait to see you all there! #howilawyer #blackipmatters #trademarklawyer #sandiegoattorney #lemongrovelawyer #workshop #giveaway #womanownedbusiness

I am tired. Lost the indomitable Ruth Bader Ginsburg, one of my absolute heroes, the Friday before my first workshop launch. I had already moved it once and felt unprofessional about moving it again. My assistant and I both wept when we heard the news, but tried to get through our day. My daughter ended up in the hospital the night before the workshop with a fever and a suspected UTI. She tested negative (thankfully), but ended up needing a Covid test due to the fever. That a...lso ended up negative (thank goodness!). But, B can’t go to preschool without being fever free for 72 hours, and she’s not quite there yet (today was day 1 without a fever). My husband was a complete superhero and took B all day Tuesday, so I could do my workshop (I truly found my Marty), which went really great, IMHO, especially since I also started feeling not so hot right in the middle (I’m not sick, just wasn’t getting enough sleep). The feedback has been awesome thus far. But I did have one person say they couldn’t get in. I didn’t receive their messages, and they ended up missing it. I’m working to get a replay out to the attendees, but my kid is still home sick, and today I also gave my candidacy speech for the redistricting commission (huge thank you to @lindsvh, @steph_gaudreau, @hollie.kins, @camizeaa, @nicoleheartmarvin, @realtorerick for taking the time to call in and voice your support). I gave this speech while feeling very heavy, bc the walls of her neighbors got more justice than she did #breonnataylor. I thought about her when I said, diversity is important, but it is often meaningless or empty without also prioritizing equity and inclusion. Or better said, a seat at the table, and an opportunity for your voice to be heard. Because the system didn’t fail her; it operated exactly as designed. And that infuriates me to no end. Plus, we’re in the midst of an existential crisis on a country-wide basis. So, yeah. I guess tired pretty much covers it. #wiped See more

LAST CALL! PROTECT YOUR A$$ETS WORKSHOP IS TOMORROW! I’m going to be honest here. Because I’m a real person running this account. Yes, I own a business and I’m a professional.... But I’m also a mom, a partner, a woman, a friend, a daughter. Here’s a picture of me and my kid to prove it And I am still grieving over the loss of my hero, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I was going to put out a couple of posts on Friday, and then again on the weekend, but all I could muster was extending the deadline out for my giveaway. I still don’t have the words. I am still feeling like the odds are against us. But I also remember that my hero wouldn’t back down. She always kept fighting. More than ever, it’s important to understand not just WHY your IP is important, but also HOW to take the first steps towards using your IP to build a financial legacy. Because if this administration, this situation, this YEAR has taught me anything, it’s that nobody is going to save us. We have to save ourselves. And when it comes to your IP, I’ll be giving you the tools you need to start building that life Hope to see you tomorrow! Link to register is in my bio! #howilawyer #workshop #trademarks #copyrights #protectyourassets #PYAWorkshop #sandiegobusiness #smallbusiness #womanownedbusiness #blackipmatters #virtualbusiness #intellectualproperty

WORKSHOP GIVEAWAY CLOSED!! Thank you to all who entered! I am tagging the winners in this post. By now, you all know I’m a huge advocate of protecting your IP, and that historically the law hasn’t been equitable when it comes to giving BIPOC avenues to protect their IP.... We had 14 entries total. Instead of picking 10 winners, I am giving away 14 seats. That’s right! EVERYONE who entered is getting to attend! @phoenixrisingbirthworks @leahbethm @edmabrey @soultrysisters @bestofbothworldsdoula @thrival @mothersisterfriend_doula @glitterthesoul @porschethedoula @instyleblading @teamskninc @earthsnaturaltouch @thee_khali_b Please DM your email addresses, so I can send you your unique coupon code as well as get you ready for tomorrow! Remember, there is still time to submit questions you have to be answered during the LIVE Q&A! Thank you, and can’t wait to see you all there! #howilawyer #blackipmatters #trademarklawyer #sandiegoattorney #lemongrovelawyer #workshop #giveaway #womanownedbusiness

WORKSHOP GIVEAWAY! I know how hard it is to start and grow a business. I’m still learning everyday, and being an entrepreneur is no easy feat.... And it’s even harder for BIPOC business owners. Why? Because we already have to be 100x better than our whyte counterparts just to be considered acceptable or taken seriously. Systemic racism and whyte supremacy also make it that much harder for BIPOC business owners to catch a break, let alone get ahead. I’m talking lending, real estate, licensing, you name it. These are additional hurdles that are already challenging for business owners regardless of skin color. I’ve been vocal about the importance of intellectual property. How it can be leveraged to build generational wealth. And how too often, BIPOC entrepreneurs have been left behind when it comes to their IP. So, I have decided to release 10 seats at my workshop next week...COMPLETELY FREE to BIPOC entrepreneurs who are serious about protecting their intellectual property and learning how to leverage it into tangible wealth. REQUIREMENTS: US businesses only. Tell me your number 1 trademark/copyright goal in the comments and tag 1 friend who could use this workshop Follow me here Share this post in your stories and tag me! Please note, while it’s not required you be a BIPOC business owner to participate, I am looking specifically to create a greater sense equity when it comes to legal services, so bear that in mind. Winners will be announced on Saturday, 9/20 at 8:00 pm PST. I will email winners with the information they need to access the workshop next Tuesday 9/22!

Repost from @drelanaroumell @stephgreunke. This was such a fun time! And so important for working moms, especially now when more of us are deciding to go out on our own! Thank you for having me! On this week’s episode, Dr. Elana interviews mama attorney @kristen_roberts_esq who shares insights for mompreneurs and aspiring mompreneurs to understand their maternity leave rights. This show discusses the importance of having a maternity leave plan and tips how to start creati...ng one. As a mama, attorney and entrepreneur herself, Kristen will be sharing her personal story of how she made her maternity leave work and how she helps her clients do the same. Her goal is to help families understand that they can absolutely take parental leave without sacrificing their business. She also teaches them how to build structures and timelines to support what needs to get done in order to have it all. Topics Discussed Lessons learned as a business owner and a new mom Benefits of working for yourself as new mom How to know if working for yourself is the right fit for you What mompreneurs maternity leave rights are and eligibility Common myths moms have regarding parental leave 2 actionable steps for any mompreneur or aspiring mompreneur To listen to today’s episode, head on over to our website doctormompodcast.com, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify or any podcast app!

What do brand partnerships, course creation, certification programs, co-manufacturing, and product offshoots all have in common? They all require licensing in one form or another. And your company’s Trademarks are often THE most valuable thing your business can license. Google’s trademark is valued at a whopping $44.3 BILLION dollars. That’s about 27% of the company’s value.... But can you license your trademark without properly securing it? Sure, not without risks. Your best bet is to lay the proper foundation for your IP, so when opportunities arise to partner, create, promote, develop, or market alongside someone else, you aren’t stuck waiting in a holding pattern, or worse, discover your brand isn’t protectable at all. For those of you wondering: How strong IS my trademark? What do I need to know before filing? And what can I do if my Mark isn’t used in commerce yet? I’ve created this FREE cheat sheet for you! Not only that, there’s a 5 minute video that goes along with it, where I walk you through each step (obviously, this does not make me your lawyer). Simply visit courses.trestlelaw.com/trademark-cheat-sheet for your free download! #howilawyer #entrepreneur #branding #smallbizhelp #trademarkattorney #businessbranding #licensing #free #freebizhelp #freeresources

I am so grateful to everyone who tuned in yesterday, and even more so to those who took time to send me a personal message of encouragement. It’s my sincerest hope that it helped highlight the need to address the problem of systemic racism in this country. I know it’s overwhelming. Everyone I know wants to do something, but feels paralyzed with where to start. Understandable.... You don’t have to change your career and become a DEI educator, community organizer, or activist to contribute to change. I think it starts with what you know. I know the law. Specifically, IP law. Heck, I’ve been working in it for over a decade. I also know that Black inventors, creators, entrepreneurs, and business people historically don’t have adequate IP protection in place. And I know that IP is often THE biggest untapped money making resource in ANY business. That’s why I’m called to help businesses use their intangible assets to build a financial legacy. Because I know what generational wealth can do for EVERYONE, but especially for BIPOC. It’s a game changer. It’s not playing the game and working your way through the system. It’s stepping off the GAME BOARD ALTOGETHER and saying, Nah. I’m gonna make the rules. And I’m gonna show you the how, when, and why to protect your business’ IP, so you can be ready to leverage it into tangible wealth. In 90 minutes. Details coming tomorrow, so STAY TUNED! Photo cred: @hellovanessarose #howilawyer #trademarkthis #copyright #trademark #blackinventors #intellectualproperty #blacklawyers #blackownedbusiness #howto #diy #minicourse #staytuned #blackbusinessmatters #shopsmall #smallbusiness #supportsmallbusiness #ipprotection

When @sharronjamison asked me to speak with her about my experiences with #colorism and #racism, my imposter syndrome immediately started up: You’re not a DEI expert. You were raised in a privileged, white community. You aren’t Black enough. You’re MIXED. YOU HAVE NO RIGHT. But then I remembered the most important thing:... IT’S NOT ABOUT ME. I am NOT having this dialogue with SharRon to highlight myself. Instead, I’m using my experiences to provide CONTEXT. A way for people to relate and hopefully understand that the issue of systemic racism affects all Black people, regardless of how melanated we are. I may not be a DEI educator, hold a PHD in Black Studies, or be a community organizer/activist, but there are things I do know from a lifetime of being me. I know how hard it is to find success in an industry that’s historically rooted in white supremacy. I understand what it means to be in an interracial family and marriage and the struggles that come along with it. And I know that equity won’t be achieved simply by ensuring there are more BIPOC in those industries lacking representation. Light skin privilege is real. I’ve benefitted from it, and I’ve seen it in action. I’ve also felt the sting from my own people, taking their generational pain and trauma and unleashing onto me for how I look. But my personal pain isn’t the point. The point is dismantling the systems designed to oppress. It’s about what we do with our privilege. How we wield it, and how we move through the world with it. I hope you’ll join me tonight. I can’t promise I’ll say the right thing, but I can promise I will show up honestly and openly. Looking forward to learning and growing together. #howilawyer #diversityandinclusion #wocleaders #wocleadership #shmillies #growth #corporateattorney #blackattorney

How strong is your trademark?

We often get asked, what can I trademark? Kristen breaks it down for you in a quick little TikTok

June 2, 2020 marked 6 years of owning my business - a full-service, award winning, intellectual property law firm owned by me - a Black-mixed POC woman. #mixedgirlmagic I take pride in this fact. Because the truth is, after nearly a decade in the practice of law, this industry is still very male, very white, and very resistant to change. Some facts for you: The law is still one of the least diverse professions. 85% white, 65% men. Across the board. IP is the worst in term...s of representation for all minorities, but mostly womxn of color. Yet, it is one of the fastest growing practice areas. IP accounts for 20% of new jobs, yet only 3% of all lawyers are registered patent attorneys. According to the 2017 AIPLA Report of the Economic Survey, only 1.8% of IP attorneys are Black, 2.5% are Latinx, and less than .5% are Native American. 70% are men. Intersectional data is nearly impossible to find. This is bc current research often refers to minorities as one big group - men and women; or only focuses on women, leaving out any references to race. These numbers matter, because as more businesses are coming out in support of #blacklivesmatter, chances are, their lawyers are still old, white dudes. The same old, white dudes who shape the profession and practice of law, and take pride in the fact it’s built on keeping people like me out (or at least down). I’m not saying you’re racist if your lawyers are white and men, but if you’re committed to change in your business, don’t you want to work with pros who also share similar vision? Change starts from within, yes. But you should investigate who you’re doing business with. What are their values? Do they promote the same ideals you do? Or do they collect Black people/other POC like trophies to show off at their diversity lunches? Lookin’ at you, #BigLaw. Law firms need to massively step up their efforts in all respects to ensure the drive for diversity isn’t just another token prop. I’m highlighting some Black IP women attorneys below. Please tag others! #howilawyer @kimraesq (congrats on super lawyers 6 years running ) @laconyamurray @ahikanlivin (personal friend who is private)

BUSINESS OWNERS: SHARE THIS! I know I’ve been talking about leveraging your brand lately. But what if you’re just at the beginning of your business journey? Or what if you’re thinking about changing/expanding your brand?... Where do you start? It can feel really overwhelming. Trust me, I get it! The best place to start is with a solid foundation, and a solid foundation is built by protecting what you have. Most businesses tackle trademarks first. Don’t let the fact you can DIY it on the USPTO or LegalZoom fool you. Trademarks are way more complex than most people think. But, you’d be surprised how many clients come to me not knowing some of the trademark ground rules that everyone should follow when choosing a mark, and it can really slow down the process when we submit to the USPTO. So, I’ve made it easy...AND FREE! No more calling a lawyer, no more wondering if you’re taking the right approach. And yes, you can do THIS yourself! Did I mention it’s FREE?! I’ll say it again, FREE FREE FREE!! Download my TRADEMARK CHEAT SHEET NOW. In it, you’ll find my 3 basic steps covering brand evaluation, determining goods and services, and filing bases. All broken down into SUPER SIMPLE terms. You can find it here: https://www.trestlelaw.com/trademark-cheat-sheet Leave me all your burning trademark questions in the comments below #howilawyer #businesstips #onlinebusinesstips #smallbusinessowners #intellectualproperty #brandstrategy #brandingattorney #trademarklawyer #trademarks #sandiegobusiness #millionairemindset #millionsofdollars #millionairelifestyle #brandstrategybusiness #entrepreneur #womenownedbusiness #trademarkhelp #free

LAST CALL FOR MY WEBINAR! Y’all, I am floored by the number of people already registered! I never thought we’d have so many after only a week of making it available. Psst! Did you hear?? I’m offering FREE business strategy sessions to everyone attending my webinar tomorrow. These will help you plan for your business after #coronavirus and #quarantines are lifted. The best part? You can request a session up to 6 months later! So even if now’s too overwhelming, you can rest eas...y knowing that you’ve got something on deck! You’ll also be receiving 4 free gifts chock-full of helpful information to keep all the CARES Act programs straight. Because, let’s face it, things are changing daily, and what business owner actually working to keep the lights on can keep up? Oh! And attorneys attending are eligible to get MCLE credit! Click that #linkinbio and let’s gooooo! Share this to help another business owner! #howilawyer #covid19 #smallbusiness #sbaloan #Caresact #legalhelp #independentcontractor #gigworkers #smallbusiness #smallbusinessinfluencer #smallbiz #startups #entrepreneur #healthcoach #mombiz #workingmom #selfemployed #microbusiness #socialbusiness #leadership #mcle #mclecredit #sandiegoattorney #lawyers #attorney