Fink, Katie

Recognized as one of Chicago’s most notable women lawyers, Katie represents clients in litigation and provides counseling on a broad range of issues involving patents, trademarks, trade dress, copyrights and trade secrets.

Katie has significant experience managing and litigating intellectual property matters. Knowledgeable in all aspects of litigation from discovery and motion practice to trial and appeal, she has successfully achieved her clients’ business goals in enforcing intellectual property rights and defending against infringement allegations.

Katie also actively manages the trademark portfolios for several clients — from startup companies to large corporations. She counsels clients in protecting trademark rights and procurement of trademark registrations in the U.S. and internationally, and provides client-oriented strategies for coverage of rights. She also manages trademark opposition proceedings globally and has achieved numerous decisions resulting in favorable outcomes for her clients.

As a member of the International Trademark Association (INTA), the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), and the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago, Katie speaks and writes on various intellectual property topics and to a wide range of audiences, including IP practitioners, investors and dealmakers in the M&A market. Additionally, Katie serves on the INTA Famous and Well-Known Marks Committee. Katie is also an active member of Chicago Women in IP (ChiWIP), serving as co-chair for the Scholarship Committee for the 2024-2025 year. Katie is also a proud member of the 2021 class of Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Fellows and is committed to creating a more diverse legal profession.

At Banner Witcoff, Katie serves on the firm’s Board of Directors. She previously co-chaired the recruiting committee, leading the firm’s efforts to recruit top candidates, and served on the trademark and diversity committees.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Katie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering and worked as a program analyst for Lockheed Martin Information Technology under a contract with the Federal Aviation Administration. During law school, Katie served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Amy J. St. Eve of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.