McGuireWoods LLP partner Lucy Jewett Wheatley has been recognized as one of Law360’s 2025 Intellectual Property MVPs, following her instrumental role in securing significant victories in high-profile trademark disputes.
Wheatley co-led the legal team representing Pennsylvania State University in a landmark trademark infringement case against Vintage Brand LLC. The jury found that the defendants willfully infringed Penn State’s trademarks by selling unlicensed merchandise featuring the university’s images and names. This verdict, delivered on November 19, 2024, after a six-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, underscored the importance of protecting collegiate intellectual property rights. The case was recognized as the “Impact Case of the Year” at the Managing IP Americas Awards in April 2025. ([mcguirewoods.com](https://www.mcguirewoods.com/news/press-releases/2025/4/mcguirewoods-wins-impact-case-of-the-year-at-managing-ip-americas-awards/?utm_source=openai))
In another notable case, Wheatley represented Vans Inc. in a trademark infringement lawsuit against a Brooklyn art collective that produced “Wavy Baby” sneakers resembling Vans’ iconic designs. The court issued a preliminary injunction halting the sale of these sneakers, affirming the strength of Vans’ trademark rights. ([mcguirewoods.com](https://www.mcguirewoods.com/news/in-the-news/2022/10/law360-profiles-partner-lucy-jewett-wheatley-as-intellectual-property-mvp/?utm_source=openai))
Wheatley’s expertise in intellectual property law has been consistently recognized. In 2023, she was shortlisted for Trademark Lawyer of the Year in the Women in Business Law Awards: Americas, presented by Euromoney’s Legal Media Group. ([mcguirewoods.com](https://www.mcguirewoods.com/news/press-releases/2023/4/lucy-jewett-wheatley-shortlisted-women-in-business-law-awards/?utm_source=openai))
Reflecting on her practice, Wheatley emphasized the significance of defending clients’ reputations through trademark litigation. “Trademark cases are rarely about money, but defending the client’s reputation. That just feels powerful to me, that that’s what you’re fighting for,” she stated. ([mcguirewoods.com](https://www.mcguirewoods.com/news/in-the-news/2022/10/law360-profiles-partner-lucy-jewett-wheatley-as-intellectual-property-mvp/?utm_source=openai))
Wheatley’s recent accolades and successful representations highlight her dedication to protecting intellectual property rights and her prominence in the field of trademark law.