Annette P. Heller

Annette P. Heller is an experienced trademark attorney with over 40 years of experience! Annette began practicing in 1976 and worked for Ralston Purina as inhouse Trademark and Copyright Counsel until 1983.  In 1983, she started her own practice limited to trademark and copyright law, and the rest is history!  Annette primarily represents individuals, small to medium size companies, and other law firms who do not have trademark or copyright expertise within the firm. While located in St. Louis, Missouri area, she has clients all over the United States! Regardless of the size or location of the client, she delivers personalized service to all. Annette loves the practice of law, especially trademark law!

Additional Fun Facts:

  • Annette was among the top trademark attorneys in the United States for the number of applications filed with the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) from 2004 to 2010.
  • She has filed over 5,400 trademark applications!
  • Annette has successfully registered over 3,700 trademark applications!
  • She has handled over 400 trademark oppositions and cancellations in the TTAB (Trademark Trial and Appeal Board).
  • She has also assisted counsel in several litigation matters.
  • Annette has handled numerous assignments, transfers, and sales of trademarks!

Education:

  • Southeast Missouri State University – B.S.B.A – Marketing
  • St. Louis University School of Law – 1976 J.D.

Legal Experience:

  • Ralston Purina Company – 1974 to 1983 Trademark & Copyright Attorney
  • Private Practitioner – 1983 to present – Practice limited to Trademark, Copyright and Unfair Competition Law

Court Admissions:

  • Admitted to bar – 1976
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri – 1983
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit – 1990
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit – 1982

Bar Membership:

  • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, 1976 to Present; Offices held: Vice President, 1986-87; Treasurer, 1985-86; Chair, Patent, Trademark & Copyright Section, 1992-93
  • The Missouri Bar, 1976 to Present; Offices held: Chair, Patent, Trademark & Copyright Committee, 1987-1990 & 2005-2009; Board of Governors Member 1993 – 1999
  • American Bar Association, 1976 to Present; Section Membership – Patent, Trademarks & Copyright; Franchise; and Litigation
  • Women Lawyers Association of Greater St. Louis, 1976 to Present; Offices held: President 1981-82, Vice-President 1980-81, Member at Large 1977-80; Gavel Club Member
  • Lawyers Association of Greater St. Louis, 1982 to present; Cast member in the Gridiron Show 1983-1999
  • Association of Attorney Mediators, 1995-present; Offices held: Secretary 1997-2012; Treasurer 1997-present.

Miscellaneous Information:

  • Faculty Staff of the St. Louis Community College – Lecturer on Understanding Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights, 1987 to 2012.
  • Lecturer on Trademark & Copyright Law for Bar Association of Metropolitan St Louis; Missouri Bar – Solo & Small Firm Conference and Annual Law Update; and various other organizations. 1983 – present.
  • Author of Articles on Trademark Law for the Bar Association of Metropolitan St Louis Monthly Newsletter; Small Business Monthly; St Louis Daily Record; and St Louis Bar Journal: Author – “Trademarks The Bond of the Franchise Agreement” (1985); Co-Author “Trade Secrets, Trademarks for the General Practitioner” (2008); Co-Author “The Internet’s Impact on Trademark Law” (2004).
  • One of the top 100 trademark attorneys in the United States in the number of applications filed with the United States Trademark Office on an annual basis from 2004-2010.
  • Recipient of the Trademark Insider Award for Top 25 in the nation for the number of new trademark application received at the USPTO in 2006. In 2005 received the Trademark Insider Award as the #1 Trademark Attorney in St. Louis.
  • Recipient of the Super Lawyer 2011-2024 in Intellectual Property
  • 2023 President’s Award – Bar Associations of Metropolitan St. Louis
  • 2016 William L. Weiss Award – The Bar Association of Metropolitan St Louis
  • 2014 Honoree of the Solo and Small Firm Section of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St Louis for her service to the Association.
  • Recipient of 2014 Beyond the Best Top 50 in Business Award – StreetScape Magazine
  • Recipient of 2015 Women’s Justice Award – Business Practitioner
  • Recipient of 2020 ICON Award Celebrating Distinguished Leaders in Law
  • 2006 Honoree Southeast Salutes – Southeast Missouri State University
  • Volunteer Lawyer for Legal Services of Easter Missouri: 1983 – present.
  • Volunteer Lawyer and Accounts for the Arts: 1995 – present.
  • Leadership St. Louis: Class of 1986-87
  • Parkway School District Government Relations Committee: 1990 – present.
  • Certified Mediator for the Federal District Court: 1994 – present.