Reebok Asks Court to Disqualify Hogan Lovells in Trademark Suit

Reebok International Ltd. has asked a federal court to disqualify the law firm representing the company it’s accused of trademark infringement.

Hogan Lovells ignored the conflict of interest arising out of the firm’s prior seven-year relationship with Reebok, the company said in a memo on Friday. The firm worked on trademark matters, including the marks this suit hinges on, for Reebok in the EU between 2015 and 2022, according to the memo.

Reebok sued Autry International S.r.l for infringing multiple marks used on shoes in May 2023, in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

“Hogan Lovell’s representation of Autry violates its duties to Reebok as a former client and requires disqualification,” Reebok said in a memo.

Reebok says that it doesn’t matter that Hogan Lovells worked on issues in Europe since the firm operates as one entity.

“Hogan Lovells’ prior representations of Reebok in matters that are substantially related to the instant lawsuit create a conflict of interest that is imputable to the entire firm,” the shoe company said in its memo.

Reebok is represented by McGuireWoods LLP and Morse Barnes-Brown & Pendleton PC.

The case is Reebok International LTD., LLC et al v. Autry USA LLC, D. Mass., No. 1:23-cv-10966, 6/9/23.