TMAE Summit WorkshopsWrite of First Refusal: Preparing to Draft Office Action Responses
Alt Legal Team | June 26, 2026
This year’s TMAE Summit will include an additional day of events to provide attendees with more opportunities to expand their skills and make meaningful connections. Day 2 of the TMAE Summit is available for an additional fee and will feature a morning of interactive workshops where attendees will participate in small groups, focusing on a particular topic, and leaving with actionable work product that they can apply at their offices. Following the morning workshops and networking, we’ll head downtown for a tour of the Brooklyn Bridge, where our expert guides will lead us on a stroll across the iconic NYC landmark.`
Workshop Description
Office actions can be intimidating, especially for trademark professionals who don’t regularly assist their teams with draft responses. Understanding how to read an office action, identify the issues it raises, and begin developing a response can make trademark professionals more effective partners in the prosecution process.
In this workshop, Emily Quackenbush of Perkins Coie will guide participants through the early stages of responding to trademark office actions how to prepare their teams with structured systems and support for drafting responses, from spotting common refusals and requirements to organizing information and identifying potential response strategies. Through examples and practical exercises, participants will gain experience working through the response process and leave with resources they can use to continue building their skills. She will guide participants through:
- Reading and analyzing trademark office actions
- Identifying common refusals, requirements, and response considerations
- Organizing information and developing an initial response strategy
- Identifying resources for continuing to build office action response skills
Learn more about the TMAE Summit here.
Workshop Host
Emily Quackenbush, Senior Trademark Paralegal, Perkins Coie
Emily Quackenbush has 25+ years of trademark experience working in both the law firm and in-house environments. While currently holding a Senior Trademark Paralegal position with a leading law firm in their Denver office, she has worked for a wide range of clients covering many industries. Many years of her working experience includes duties and roles like Trademark and Branding Portfolio Management and Director of Intellectual Property as well. Emily works very closely with her clients, along with the attorneys on her team to ensure the best possible trademark service and brand protection. Simply put, she loves all things “brands” with a noteworthy interest in consumer trends while providing excellent client service.