Mindful Counsel

07/28/2025

✨ You’re building a business. You’re raising a family. You’re thinking about the future. ✨
But when it comes to protecting what matters most, where do you even begin?

That’s where we come in.

We break down estate planning, business law, and intellectual property into bite-sized, judgment-free, actually-useful pieces delivered monthly in The Mindful Brief 🧠💼

Whether you’re launching your dream biz or finally facing that “I should really make a will” voice in your head…

👇 Join the list and get legal peace of mind, one smart email at a time.

https://mindfulcounsel.myflodesk.com/newsletter

We break down estate planning and business law into bite-sized, judgment-free, actually-useful pieces delivered monthly in The Mindful Brief.

06/30/2025

I wasn’t going to say anything… 😅
But you’re out here building a brand without owning the name?

Here’s the thing:
✅ Your logo doesn’t protect your name
✅ Your domain doesn’t protect your brand
✅ And an LLC? Not even close

If you love your brand name, protect it before someone else does.
Let’s make it official. 🖋️✨

🎯 Book a brand protection consult—link in bio. Let’s make sure what you’re building is truly yours.

04/11/2025

Trademark Trouble at the Arcade? 🎯
Dave & Buster’s is suing over their iconic “Eat, Drink, Play” slogan — and it’s a masterclass in brand protection. Whether you’re a small biz or a big brand, this case shows why your slogans matter.

Read the full blog: https://themindfulcounsel.com/2025/04/11/eat-drink-play-or-infringe-lessons-from-dave-busters-trademark-lawsuit/

What the Dave & Buster’s lawsuit over 'Eat, Drink, Play' teaches us about trademark rights, infringement risks, and brand protection

04/10/2025

Ever wonder why you *can’t* always trademark a slogan on a t-shirt? 🧐 Before you invest in merch, it’s key to understand the difference between a true trademark and simple *ornamental use.* Let’s break it down so your brand (and your wallet) stays protected.👇🧵

Many new entrepreneurs make their first mark in the clothing industry—often with a clever name or catchy slogan they want to plaster on t-shirts, hats, or hoodies. Naturally, they want to protect that brand with a trademark. But here’s where it gets tricky: just because your phrase is on a shirt...

04/09/2025

You built your brand with sweat, tears, and way too much caffeine—but if you haven’t trademarked it, you don’t actually own it.

Yep, I said it.
Your business name, logo, tagline—without protection, they’re up for grabs. That means someone else could swoop in, register your name, and make your life a legal nightmare. Think cease-and-desist letters, lost Insta handles, and even being forced to rebrand. 💸🫠

Let’s not.

✅ A registered trademark gives you exclusive rights to use your brand nationwide.
✅ It’s a power move that adds real value to your business.
✅ And it’s way cheaper to protect your brand than to fight for it later.

So don’t wait until someone else cashes in on your good name.
Protect it like the asset it is.
Because your brand? It’s not just pretty. It’s property. 💼✨

💡Want to know if your brand is ready for trademark protection? Slide into my DMs or hit the link in bio for a free checklist.

01/02/2025

How do legal service providers like LegalZoom leave your business vulnerable? If you’ve been following for a bit, it should be no surprise that I highly discourage anyone who takes their business seriously to work with these types of platforms. Swipe through to find out exactly why! ➝

12/30/2024

In a recent legal victory, Fanatics, a leading sports collectibles company, successfully defended against a copyright infringement lawsuit concerning their crystal hockey pucks filled with melted rink ice. The court determined that the design elements in question lacked the necessary originality for copyright protection, underscoring the importance of distinctiveness in product design to secure intellectual property rights. 

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit holds that Fanatics did not infringe the "Slice of the Ice" memorabilia product.

12/10/2024

I don’t know if it’s the spirit of the holidays, the nostalgia, or just the idea that it’s the season for giving thanks.... But every holiday has me feeling quite grateful.

But I’m still definitely guilty of letting those gratitude thoughts pop into my mind and slip away as soon as something else comes up. Or keeping those feelings of appreciation to myself.

So I made a commitment to start expressing my gratitude more so I can share it with others.

Here are some ways I’ve been doing this:

❤️ Keeping a note open on my phone to add things I’m grateful for
❤️ Leaving a voice message or note to express my appreciation for someone
❤️ Paying for someone’s coffee behind me in line
❤️ Donating to a favorite charity
❤️ Taking a walk and meditating on what I’m grateful for

How do you express your gratitude?

11/18/2024

What’s in a business name? Absolutely everything.

Let’s look at the journey of my firm’s name:

• Pickle Law Firm (2009-2017)
• Elisabeth Pickle Law (2018-2020)
• Mindful Counsel (2021-current)

Despite the same entity and EIN, the name changes brought:

• Enhanced name recognition
• Stronger branding potential
• A shift from partner-centric to team-centric
• A new sense of identity
• Greater ease of transferability

We don’t need to spell out Mindful Counsel - people get it.

Clients aren’t fixated on speaking to me anymore. It’s not just “Elisabeth’s firm.” The identity transcends its founders.

If I choose to sell one day, the firm’s name can seamlessly transition to new ownership.

When starting your business, think about how you want your business to be perceived in a decade. Invest in a name that embodies your long-term vision and consult a trademark attorney to secure it. A well-chosen name is your business ticket to enduring success.

10/25/2024

Don’t forget to file your BOI. Deadline is approaching.

Here at Mindful Counsel®, our job is to educate our clients on important updates like The Corporate Transparency Act.