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Bio

NEW PRESS: September 2023 ESSENCE Fashion House: Protecting Your IP

NEW PRESS: July/August 2022 Washington Lawyer Magazine Profile

Mariessa Terrell ( [MUH] + [REE] + [SA] ) is a native Washingtonian, barred in the District of Columbia and Maryland, who has been practicing law for over 20 years, specializing in trademark, trademark enforcement, licensing and contracts. After a 17 year hiatus, Mariessa returned to the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in March 2020. In October 2022, Mariessa assumed the role of Attorney Advisor to the Trademarks Customer Outreach section where she develops the USPTO educational programs for experienced trademark practitioners. 

Prior to returning to the USPTO, Mariessa worked as founding partner of Innovation PI Law where she provided marketing, intellectual property docketing services, software licensing and intellectual property law services to a variety of corporate and business development clients, including: Lockheed Martin Corporation Information Systems and Global Services; Leidos Corporation, the University of the District of Columbia; the Washington Baptist Seminary; Global Villages Publishing, Raine Magazine; Gloria Gelfand Marketing Co. and many others. Mariessa also served as a law Clerk for the Honorable Judge Cheryl Long, who presided over the Tax Division of the Superior Court of District of Columbia.

In 2004, Mariessa created a special division of her firm dedicated to addressing the unique needs of fashion purveyors.  

In 2006, Mariessa drafted legislation to create a DC Commission on Fashion Arts and Events; and in 2013, Mayor Vincent Gray appointed Mariessa to serve as a DC Fashion Commissioner. In 2018, Mayor Muriel Bowser reappointed Mariessa to serve an additional 4 years.  

In 2015, Mariessa assumed the role of Adjunct Professor & Supervising Attorney of the Howard University School of Law Intellectual Property Law Clinic.  

In October 2017, Mariessa was retained by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. to help manage their trademark portfolio and oversee IP enforcement.

In addition to practicing law, Mariessa serves as the Executive Director of the High Tea Society, a mentoring program for girls in Washington, DC and produces and hosts #DCisFashion, a 30 min episodic television series airing on DCN channel 16. Mariessa is also a creative writer and has published several short stories featuring her alter ego, Simone Butterfly. 

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AFFILIATIONS 

CURRENT AFFILIATIONS

Member | District of Columbia Bar Association

Member | Maryland Bar Association

Trademark Attorney | US Patent & Trademark Office

Board Member | Washington Lawyers for the Arts

Director | HTS Girls Connected Mentoring Program

Creator | Simone Butterfly Digital Art Projects

Founder | Fashion Intel Lectures

Co-Founder | DC Commission on Fashion Arts and Events

PAST EXPERIENCES

Producer | DCisFashion TV - DCN Channel 16

Trademark Counsel | Lockheed Martin

Trademark Counsel | Leidos Corporation

Trademark Professor | Howard University School of Law

IP Attorney | Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

Board President | Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts 

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CONTACT

@MARIESSATERRELLESQ

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S1m0ne

Yoo Hoo Darling!

Simone Butterfly: Fabulous, Freelance, Fashion Investigator is a fictional character created by Fashion Attorney Mariessa Terrell in 2003. Since her creation, Simone Butterfly has been a superhero from another planet, an everywoman a la Jesse B Semple, a big sister, an eccentric Auntie, an alter ego.

In every iteration, Simone has attempted in her small way to exemplify the can-do-attitude exhibited by so many African American women who despite overwhelming work and home obligations, still manage to shine - with wit, humor and style.

Simone is an anecdote for what ails: a compassionate doer who uses her spiritual gifts, expansive network and charm to beguile everyone she encounters.

Simone's motto was borrowed from Diana Vreeland: "There is but one perfect life. The life you dream about and make happen for yourself."

 Visit Simone Butterfly HERE & HERE: @simone.butterfly.

simone’s timeline

Simone Butterfly first made her appearance as a pseudonym for Mariessa when she was a fashion columnist for the Afro American Newspaper, Washington Informer and Washington's Finest (2003-2006). Simone reappeared when Mariessa began writing a delightful bi-monthly fashion blog entitled Yoo Hoo Darling featured on Fox 5 WTTG and Social Sightings (2007-2011) and SimoneButterfly.com (2006-present). From 2012 to 2014, Simone began making regular appearances as a DC fashion sleuth featured in a monthly fashion column published in the Midcity Newspaper.  From 2016-2017, Simone made her TV debut when she appeared alongside Mariessa in the 12 episode DCN series, Simone Butterfly Fashion Investigator.  

Today, Simone Butterfly lives a lush life in a series of Yoo Hoo Darling blog posts, loosely based on short stories by Langston Hughes featuring the "every man" Jesse B. Semple.  Simone Butterfly Fabulous Freelance Fashion Investigator is truly Mariessa Terrell's most intimate and trusted friend.  Visit Simone Butterfly HERE & HERE: @simone.butterfly.

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