Doni Robinson
Doni’s career is fueled by curiosity, driven by passion, and energized by people who match her energy. Now serving as counsel at Barnes & Thornburg LLP, she has been practicing since 2015 and focuses her practice on all aspects of trademark law. Her work spans everything from prosecution, enforcement, and clearance to brand strategy, transactional matters, and select litigation.
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Doni’s journey into intellectual property began well before law school. She attended Rochester Institute of Technology where she earned a degree in new media publishing. A media law class first introduced her to the legal field and piqued her interest in pursuing it further. A professor of hers introduced her to font invention and protection which sparked her interest in trademark law. These experiences led Doni to earn her Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. By the time she graduated, she was completely focused on building a career in trademark law.
Today, Doni finds the field of intellectual property as engaging as ever, drawn to its dynamic nature and the people within it. For her, one of the most rewarding aspects is collaborating with clients who are equally as passionate about their brands and building strong, lasting rapport through that shared investment.
Since 2017, Doni has been a dedicated member of ChiWIP, contributing to many different committees. She currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Professional Development Committee. She is also actively involved in Lawyers for the Creative Arts and the International Trademark Association. Doni emphasizes that we as people should not underestimate the value of in person connection. After such a long period of remoteness, showing up to events, especially with ChiWIP, has proven to be extremely impactful for Doni. This is a place where she has been able to build relationships, exchange ideas, and support other women in a career to hers.
Doni’s biggest piece of advice to law students is to have an identity, even if that identity changes. Take time to define your path. At the end of the day, you can be passionate about your career but you must have outlets outside of the law that serve you. She has found these outlets in scuba diving, cooking, traveling, yoga, and spending time with her dog. Doni describes herself as passionate, extroverted and creative – qualities that carry through in both her personal and professional life.
Her advice to young lawyers is to maintain a sense of balance. She emphasizes the importance of building a strong support system. Specially, stay connected to the reason why you chose to pursue a legal career. Doni’s advice is simple: show up, get involved, and don’t hesitate to reach out – while staying true to yourself.
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