Services & Industries
Education
J.D., cum laude and summa cum honori in thesi, Lewis & Clark Law School, 2005
B.A., magna cum laude, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2000
Bar & Court Admissions
Oregon State Bar
Washington State Bar Association
U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
Parna is a partner at Tonkon Torp and Co-Chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group. Her practice is focused on intellectual property, trademark registration and enforcement, and advising and litigating trademark portfolios for local, national, and international companies at all stages of growth. From clearance and prosecution to licensing and enforcement, her clients appreciate her comprehensive approach to protecting their intellectual property assets.
Parna works closely with clients on the development of new brands and lines of business. She has particular expertise in the apparel, footwear, consumer products, food and beverage, cannabis, and education services industries.
When World Trademark Review 1000 named Parna a Leading Trademark Professional, they noted her skill at securing and protecting trademark rights, and educating content teams on their use. She is valued by clients for her personable approach, strong work ethic, and ability to convert legal jargon into business language.
Beyond trademark law, Parna has broad experience in a wide array of intellectual property issues. These include copyright law, right of publicity, trade secret, licensing, false advertising, and intellectual property contracting. She also has particular experience in the use and enforcement of intellectual property online in e-commerce and social media contexts.
Parna is Co-Chair of Tonkon Torp’s Information Privacy & Security Practice Group, advising businesses on the management and security of personal data and the laws that regulate the collection, use, and protection of personal data.
Get to Know
The legal field is all about the details. So it may not be too surprising that Tonkon Torp partner Parna Mehrbani loves to lose herself in the intricate stitches found in hand knitting. Parna is self-taught, having taken up crochet and knitting at the age of seven. She holds two teaching certificates from the Craft Yarn Council of America, and has been an instructor since 2007. She previously taught classes at Portland’s Twisted Yarn Shop. Parna’s favorite part of teaching is encouraging and inspiring confidence in knitters, letting them know that yes, they are doing it right, and no, it doesn’t have to be perfect.
Representative Matters
Arbitration for Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy
Regularly represent brand owners in Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy arbitration proceedings against cyber squatters, which result in ownership and transfer of domain names to the brand owner.
Defend Trademark/Trade Dress Infringement Suit by Footwear Company
Represented various apparel and footwear manufacturers and retailers in lawsuits filed by an international footwear and clothing company alleging a variety of claims related to trademark and trade dress infringement.
FLIR Systems Inc. v. Sierra Media, Inc. and Fluke Corp.
Represented defendant manufacturer, distributor, and service provider of electronic test tools and software in a suit involving alleged trademark infringement, false advertising, and defamation. Part of trial team that obtained a favorable jury verdict on trademark infringement and false advertising counterclaims.
Heart, LLC v. Heart Pizza, LLC et al.
Represented Heart LLC, a Portland coffee roaster, in a trademark infringement and unfair competition suit against nearby restaurant Heart Pizza.
Licensing and Collaboration Agreements for Pendleton Woolen Mills
Represent Pendleton Woolen Mills, an Oregon-based textile and clothing company, in a broad array of license and collaboration agreements. Collaborators include brands such as Rogue Brewing, Calvin Klein, MLS/Portland Timbers, and Disney.
Meridian Transportation Resources, LLC v. Magic Carrier Resources LLC
Represented Meridian Transportation Resources, a private transportation and tourism company, in a preliminary injunction suit involving trademark and trade dress infringement.
Navigate Real Estate Branding and Advertising Issues
Advise and represent a Seattle-based real estate brokerage firm on comprehensive branding and advertising issues.
Pendleton Woolen Mills vs Pendleton Round-Up Association
Lead attorney for Pendleton Woolen Mills in a trademark infringement and unfair competition case before the U.S. District Court in Oregon. The case was settled favorably with a long-term agreement between both parties.
Representation in Trademark Infringement, Copyright Infringement, and Breach of Contract Suits
Represented companies in multiple industries including global nutritional products, maternity- and infant-related products, food and beverage, and footwear in suits involving alleged trademark infringement, copyright infringement, and breach of contract. Example cases include:
- Baby Clothes Company v. Grow, Inc. et al.
- Shardan International Marketing, Inc. v. Haband Company, Inc.
- Adidas America, Inc. et al v. Herbalife International, Inc.
- Golden Temple of Oregon, LLC v. Wai Lana Productions, LLC
- L&A Designs LLC et al v. Xtreme ATVs, Inc. et al.
- RE/MAX, LLCV v. TMT Development Co., Inc.
- EGO Originals, Inc. v. Chico's FAS, Inc.
Right of Publicity Suit for Educational Book Publisher
Represented an educational book publisher responding to allegations of violation of publicity rights and copyright infringement. The matter was settled favorably.
Timely Settlement for Retail Client in Labeling Trademark Infringement Suit
In Barenbrug USA, Inc. v. Kmart Corporation, represented defendant retailer in a preliminary injunction suit involving labeling and alleged trademark infringement. Assisted in swift settlement before the start of "high season" for product sales.
Trademark Applications
Represent small and large companies in all aspects of application, prosecution, and maintenance of trademark applications in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Matters
Regularly represent clients in various industries in administrative litigation cases before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Successfully represented a local apparel and home products company in a TTAB opposition to enforce client’s right to continue using product designs it had used for more than 100 years.
Community Involvement & Activities
University of Oregon Business Law Clinic
2024-Present, Adjunct Professor, Trademark Clinic
Partners in Diversity Leadership Council
2021-2023, Chair Emeritus
2020-2021, Chair
2019-2020, Vice Chair
2018-2019, Member
Oregon Arab Iranian Bar Association
Founding Board Member
2023-Present, President
Portland Metro Chamber
Board of Directors, Member
Leadership Portland, Class of 2015
The Oregon Bench and Bar Commission on Professionalism
2015-2023, Member
2018, Chair
2017, Vice Chair
International Trademark Association
2024-Present, Copyright Committee
2018-2023, Unfair Competition Committee
2022-2023, Unfair Competition Committee, Policy Subcommittee, Chair
2016-2017, Internet Committee, New gTLD Registries Issues and Metrics Subcommittee, Member
2014-2016, Enforcement Committee, Trade Names Subcommittee, Chair
2009-2016, Enforcement Committee, Trade Names Subcommittee, Member
Oregon State Bar
Intellectual Property Section
2020, Chair
2019, Vice Chair
2018, Secretary
2017, Treasurer
2013-2021, Executive Committee
Opportunities for Law in Oregon Planning Subcommittee
2007-2013, Member
Mentor Program (3 years)
Computer and Internet Law Section
2008-2010, Executive Committee
Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion
2009, Secretary
2006-2008, Member
Oregon Women Lawyers
Member
2007-2009, Board of Directors, Queen’s Bench – Multnomah County Chapter
Oregon Minority Lawyers Association
Member
Former Member, Inspiring Minority Attorneys Towards Growth and Excellence “IMAGE” Planning Committee
Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls
2008-2013, Board of Directors
2009-2013, Chair
Lewis & Clark Law School Mentor Program
2006-2013, Mentor
Business for Culture & the Arts
Art of Leadership Program, Class of 2013
Oregon State Bar Leadership College
2009, Graduate
Gus J. Solomon Inn of Court
2006-2015, Member
Professional Memberships
International Trademark Association
Mulnomah Bar Association
Oregon Arab Iranian Bar Association
Oregon Minority Lawyers Association
Oregon Women Lawyers
The Best Lawyers in America
2025, Lawyer of the Year – Trademark Law, Portland
2024-2025, Copyright Law
2019-2025, Commercial Litigation
2018-2025, Litigation – Intellectual Property
2018-2025, Trademark Law
Super Lawyers
2021-2024, Top 25 Women Oregon Super Lawyers
2022-2024, Top 50 Oregon Super Lawyers
2015-2024, Oregon Super Lawyer – Intellectual Property
2009-2014, Oregon Rising Star – Intellectual Property
World Trademark Review 1000
2013–2023, Leading Trademark Professional
Multnomah Bar Association
2021, Diversity Award
Daily Journal of Commerce, Oregon
2019, Woman of Vision
2011–2012, Up & Coming Lawyer
Oregon State Bar
2014, Rising Litigator Award, Litigation Section
2010, Individual Award Winner, Pro Bono Challenge
2006, 2008–2013, 2015–2016, Recognized, Pro Bono Honor Roll
2011, Honoree, Convocation on Equality
Portland Business Journal
2015, Woman of Influence
Benchmark Litigation
2018, 40 & Under Hot List
Recent News
Parna Mehrbani Talks Authenticity in the Workplace
Tonkon Torp partner Parna Mehrbani presented on “Risks and Rewards of Bringing Our Whole Selves to Work – A Multicultural Perspective” to an audience of Oregon attorneys. The presentation was part of “Gathered & Engaged in the Gorge,” a Wellness Retreat for Lawyers Identifying as Women or Nonbinary hosted by The Oregon Attorney Assistance Program.
Parna Mehrbani Talks A.I. for Opportunity Knocks Business Leaders
Parna Mehrbani spoke at a recent educational session held in Bend for an audience of Central Oregon business leaders. The “Unlocking Business Potential with A.I.” event was hosted by Opportunity Knocks, a nonprofit matching industry and community leaders to help businesses grow and advance through community building and peer mentorship.
Parna Mehrbani Discusses Protecting IP When Growing a Business
Tonkon Torp partner Parna Mehrbani led a session for entrepreneurs and startups on protecting their investment and legal issues to consider when running and growing a business. The event was hosted by the Oregon Entrepreneur Network as part of its Oregon Angel Food (OregonAF) program. Tonkon Torp is an annual sponsor of OregonAF.
Six Tonkon Torp Partners Named Portland Lawyer of the Year
Tonkon Torp partners Ronald Greenman, Drew Hagedorn, Parna Mehrbani, Thomas Palmer, Steven Wilker, and Zach Wright have been named 2025 Portland Lawyer of the Year in their respective specialties by The Best Lawyers in America® peer-review survey.
46 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Included in 2025 Best Lawyers in America®
Forty-six Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 36 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025. Forty-five of the attorneys have been previously named to the peer-review list, and most have been listed for more than 10 years.
Recent Publications
Reach the Underserved by Taking a New Approach to Client Service
When the cultural and racial reckoning of 2020 unfolded, many companies made a renewed effort to support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Unfortunately, due to a variety of factors, including political backlash, court decisions, and a changing economy, support for some DEI work has now slowed. At Tonkon Torp, we help many companies assess how diversity, equity, and inclusion is addressed in their workplace. At the same time, we are regularly reassessing our own efforts – both to make our own workforce more diverse and our workplace more equitable and inclusive – and to better support diverse clients and entrepreneurs.
California Privacy Rights Act Now Effective
By Alexandria Wagner-Jakubiak and Parna Mehrbani – On Jan. 1, 2023, the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) went into full force and effect, heralding a new era of statewide personal information (PI) regulation. The CPRA provides even more protection for California consumers’ privacy rights than previously established under the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018.
To Reach the Underserved, Embrace a New Approach to Client Service
By Parna Mehrbani – Tonkon Torp helps many companies assess how diversity, equity, and inclusion is addressed in their workplace. As the cultural and racial reckoning of 2020 unfolded, we examined our own approach to DEI and had vulnerable and challenging conversations about what we were doing personally, internally, in the community at large, and in the business community.
Top 6 Ways to Protect a Cannabis Business Brand
As I previously discussed in my article and podcast published in the Portland Business Journal, U.S. federal trademark law does not currently extend to cannabis products. Because the required “use in commerce” of the cannabis plant and related products is illegal under the Controlled Substances Act, the marks are ineligible for federal registration.
The Challenging State of Brand Protection in the Cannabis Industry
Trademark law in the U.S. protects “any word, name, symbol, or design, or any combination thereof, used in commerce” to identify one company’s goods or services from another, and to indicate the source of the goods or services. Protection is available for trademarks used in commerce (called “common law” rights) and heightened protections are available for marks that are used in commerce and registered.
Publications & Presentations
“Risks and Rewards of Bringing Our Whole Selves to Work – A Multicultural Perspective,” Oregon Attorney Assistance Program, Nov. 2024
Panelist, “Unlocking Business Potential with A.I.,” Opportunity Knocks, Bend, Oregon, Oct. 2024
“Reach the Underserved by Taking a New Approach to Client Service,” Oregon Business Magazine, Sept. 2024
“Protecting Your Investment – Legal Considerations for Now and as You Grow,” OregonAF, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, Aug. 2024
“Oregon Consumer Privacy Act,” June 2024
“Intellectual Property Considerations for Nonprofits,” OSB Nonprofit Organizations Law Section, Dec. 2023
“Tips for Joining Firms: Authenticity in the Law Firm Environment,” Learning the Ropes, OSB Professional Liability Fund, Nov. 2023
“The Important Role of Legal in a New Era of Growing Data Risks,” Oregon Association of Corporate Counsel, Aug. 2023
“Protecting Your Investment – Legal Considerations for Now and as You Grow,” OregonAF, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, Aug. 2023
“Professionalism in the Law,” Lincoln County Bar Association, July 2023
“The California Privacy Rights Act of 2020,” March 2023
“Lawyering, Professionalism, and The Rule of Law in Uncertain Times,” Deschutes County Bar Association, March 2023
“Intellectual Property Overview,” Boost Your Business Legal Update, Business for a Better Portland, Feb. 2023
Panelist, “How to Make the Most of Your Summer Employment,” 26th Annual OLIO Employment Retreat, Jan. 2023
“California Privacy Rights Act Now Effective,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, Jan. 2023
Panelist, “Current Diversity and Inclusion Conversations, OSB Corporate Counsel Section, Oct. 2022
Panelist, “Building an Effective DEI Council,” Partners in Diversity, Oct. 2022
“Legal Issues Facing Psilocybin Services Act Businesses,” NW Cannabis and Psychedelics Law Institute, OSB Cannabis and Psychedelics Law Section, Sept. 2022
“To Reach the Underserved, Embrace a New Approach to Client Service,” Portland Business Journal, Aug. 2022
“Sourcing, Design & Protecting Your Investment – Trademark IP,” Oregon AF, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, June 2022
“Extinguishing Imposterism: Strategies for Legal Organizations to Minimize Unwarranted Self-Doubt and Cultivate Excellence,” Oregon Women Lawyers, Feb. 2022
“What Does Professionalism Mean?” Deschutes County Bar Association, Dec. 2021
“Going Beyond the Business Case for Diversity,” Oregon Business Magazine, Sept. 2021
“This is the Way” Keynote Address, Opportunities for Law in Oregon, Oregon State Bar, Aug. 2021
“Legal Considerations for Developing & Protecting Your Brand,” Oregon AF, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, July 2021, July 2020
“Identifying and Addressing Imposter Syndrome,” Law Firm Alliance, July 2021
“Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Employers,” Annual Labor & Employment Law Update, June 2021
Podcast, “How to Beat Imposter Syndrome,” Mentally Together, Episode 13, April 2021
Panelist, “Intellectual Property Law for Startups,” TiE XL Oregon Bootcamp, April 2021, Dec. 2020, June 2020, Oct. 2018
Panelist, “Imposter Syndrome Discussion Series,” Oregon Women Lawyers, March 2021, Feb. 2021
Panelist, “Best Practices for Identifying and Managing Intellectual Property Issues for Business Litigators,” OSB Business Litigation Section, March 2021
“Imposter Syndrome,” Oregon District Attorneys Association, Dec. 2020
“Privacy Law Review,” Dec. 2020
“Compliance and Enforcement Update,” Greater Portland Compliance Association, Oct. 2020
“Trademark Protection in the Cannabis Industry,” 2nd Annual Northwest Cannabis Law Institute, OSB Cannabis Law Section, Sept. 2020
Panelist, “Imposter Syndrome,” Oregon Women Lawyers Leadership Committee, July 2020
Moderator, “The State of Media and the Importance of Local Media,” Portland Business Alliance Annual Meeting, June 2020
“Top 6 Ways To Protect a Cannabis Business Brand,” Portland Business Journal, April 2020
“Trademark Law Review Year-in-Review”, Oregon State Bar Intellectual Property Section, Feb. 2020
“FTC #Compliance for Social Media Advertising and Influencers,” Lewis & Clark Law School, Feb. 2020
Podcast, “How Companies in the Cannabis Industry Should Obtain and Protect Their Trademarks,” Portland Business Journal, Feb. 2020
Panelist, “Women Breaking Barriers in the Legal Field,” Business Law Week, University of Oregon Law School, Jan. 2020
“CCPA Preview,” Oregon State Bar Business Law Section, Dec. 2019
“Imposter Syndrome,” Lewis & Clark Law School, Nov. 2019
“Trademark Protection in the Cannabis Industry,” Oct. 2019
Panelist, “Advancing Women in Leadership,” Oregon State University, Oct. 2019
“Introduction to the California Consumer Privacy Act,” Sept. 2019
“The Challenging State of Brand Protection in the Cannabis Industry,” Portland Business Journal, Sept. 2019
“California Consumer Privacy Act 2.0,” July 2019
“California Consumer Privacy Act Overview,” Oregon State Bar Business Law Section, June 2019
Panelist, “Women’s Forum”, Oregon Asian Pacific American Bar Association and Oregon Filipino American Law Association, May 2019
“IP for Food Industry Startups,” Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, Angel Food Conference & Education Series, May 2019
“Why Should Oregon Companies Care About California’s Privacy Law?” Portland Business Journal, May 2019
“California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018,” April 2019, Feb. 2019
Panelist, “Center Stage: Standing Out & Speaking Up,” Portland Women in Leadership Symposium, March 2019
“Copyright in the Craft Industry,” Tigard Knitting Guild, Feb. 2019
“Professionalism 2018: What If I’m That Person?” Oregon State Bar Professionalism Commission, Nov. 2018
“Copyright in the Craft Industry,” Puddletown Knitting Guild, Sept. 2018
“Social Media and Websites – IP Pitfalls and Cautionary Tales,” Sept. 2018
“Professionalism in Law,” Oregon State Bar, May 2018
“Candy Trademarking 101: What You Need to Know About Distinctiveness,” Confectionery News, Dec. 2017
“The Slants Play SCOTUS: A Portland Band Defends its Trademark,” CLE Lewis & Clark Law School, April 2017
“Fulfilling a Public Trust, The Professional Lawyer,” Oregon State Bar, March 2017
“Packaging, Licensing, and Labeling,” Lewis & Clark Law School, April 2016
“Why Plant Patenting Floats Free of GMO Crop Controversies,” Oregon Business Magazine, Nov. 2014
“Combating Counterfeiting: How Owners Can Protect Their Brands,” Oregon Business Magazine, Sept. 2014