Today we’d like to introduce you to Karin Y. Coger.
Hi Karin Y., so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
First, thank you for this opportunity!
I am the founding attorney of the Coger Law Firm. We help turn entrepreneurs protect and defend their intellectual property through trademark, copyright registration, and small business law. Recently, we started representing student-athletes with their name, image and likeness (NIL) deals. The NCAA changed its rules regarding NIL on July 1, 2022 so now the opportunities for student-athletes are endless.
I grew up outside of Philadelphia. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media Arts (with an emphasis in broadcast journalism) from Hampton University where I graduated cum laude and from the school’s Honors College in 1999. I next received my Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law in 2002. I am licensed to practice in New Jersey. I have served on the school board for the First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School since 2007 and I currently serve as the Vice President. I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
I started my legal career as a ligator. I was an Assistant Deputy Public Defender who represented indigent defendants who were accused of crimes such as assault, robbery, sex crimes, and murder. I next moved into civil litigation in which I worked for insurance companies and big-box stores in the areas of auto accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, etc. In both positions, I conducted plea bargains, settlement negotiations, depositions, arbitrations, mediations and trials. However, these positions were not fulfilling. In fact, they were grueling. As a hobby, I started an e-commerce store that made apparel and other items for people who attended and supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), eventually selling on Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, and eBay.
As my love for the business grew, I decided that. my purpose was to help other entrepreneurs. Ever since college, I had an interest in media and as an extension, trademarks and copyrights. I threw caution to the wind and decided to open Coger Law. It is more fulfilling to help people build their businesses than to represent insurance companies! LOL
My law firm helps entrepreneurs with business formation and maintenance. Most people know that they need to form a business however, a lot of entrepreneurs are unaware of the importance of trademark registration. A lot of entrepreneurs use their business names, logos, and domain names every day leaving themselves at risk to have their intellectual property stolen. Many entrepreneurs do not even know how much IP they own. I work with them to identify their IP via an audit and registration. I also monitor their IP in order to defend against someone who many inadvertently or of many purposely set out to steal their IP. I also, help entrepreneurs who have been accused of infringing upon another business’s IP. These matters can be settled through negotiations and agreements.
Now that student-athletes can make money from their name, image, and likeness the firm helps them with business formation, contract review of deals, sponsorships, marketing agency, etc. We also educate student-athletes on how to pursue NIL agreements. A lot of people think that these deals are only eligible to the top football and basketball players but that is not true!
Outside of the law, I like to travel. My family lives in Atlanta so I visit frequently. I love community service, especially service involving children. And I enjoy crafting … it is soothing.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Hell no!
Opening a law firm is not an easy task, especially if you come from a law firm environment where you had staff, support and most importantly a salary. As a law firm owner you are everything, the attorney, secretary, paralegal, marketing director, and social media content creator. If you are lucky, clients find you. However, most of the time, you have to identify the clients. Starting out, if you don’t work, you don’t make money; there is an ebb and flow of the cash flow. It’s not true that there are no days off, but often, when not working you think about working.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What should you know? I enjoy working with new small business owners. I just started to specialize in trademark registration and in working with student-athletes with their name, image and likeness (NIL deals). I am set apart. from others because there are very few attorneys who are in the NIL space (just check Twitter)!
I am most proud that the law firm was virtual prior to covid. In the business formation and intellectual property space, most matters can be handled via Zoom or Google Meet and via e-signature. This reduces the time and cost for both the client and the attorney. So while some firms are trying to figure this out during covid, we were already there.
I want the readers to know that we are not just a firm that files trademarks. We want to be a part of your operation in order to help you grow. In doing so, we offer monthly subscription services; this is not available at all firms. We serve as your in-house counsel. The services (depending on the level that a client selects) include unlimited emails, scheduled phone calls, contract drafting, contract review, intellectual property identification and registration, and branding assistance. We assist in referrals. If there is a service that you need but that we don’t offer, we help connect you with the proper individual instead of you spending your time searching Google and sorting through strangers.
We also offer packages for student-athletes that include business formation, contract/deal review, and consultation.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Tenacity! Being a litigator it was my job to fight for my clients whether it was via negotiation or trial. This did not stop once I became a business attorney. I am not afraid to talk to, argue or negotiate with anyone.
Pricing:
- Trademark Registration starts at $2500
- Student Athlete Name, Image & Likeness starts at $3500
- Subscription 1: $2000/mo
- Subscription 2: $3500/mo
- Subscription 3: $5000/mo
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cogerlawfirm.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/cogerlawfirm
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/cogerlawfirm
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nilattorney1
- Youtube: https://bit.ly/cogerlawyoutube
- Other: https://bit.ly/MasterclassOnePager
Image Credits:
JaxonPhotoGroup (ironically he was featured by your site on MARCH 24, 2022)
