Meet Ashley R. Dobbs
Ashley R. Dobbs
She/Her
Professor of Law, Legal Practice Director, Intellectual Property and Transactional Law Clinic
Empowering Visionaries and Protecting Ideas: The Journey of Ashley R. Dobbs, Esq.
At the intersection of law, education, and entrepreneurship, I have dedicated my career to empowering innovators, creators, and business owners. As a Professor of Law, Clinical Practice, and the Director of the Intellectual Property and Transactional Law Clinic, I work closely with law students to provide IP and business transactional legal services to entrepreneurs, non-profits, artists, and small businesses. My goal is to ensure that those shaping the future have the legal protection and support they need to succeed.
Before transitioning into academia, I spent 10 years in private practice, including at Hogan Lovells, P.C., one of the world’s largest law firms, and at Bean, Kinney & Korman, P.C., where I became a shareholder. During my time in private practice, I advised clients on the acquisition, protection, and commercialization of intellectual property, ensuring their ideas were legally safeguarded. My work earned me recognition as a “Rising Star in Intellectual Property” by Virginia Super Lawyers and D.C. Super Lawyers.
My journey into law was shaped by my own experience as an entrepreneur. Before earning my law degree, I founded a consulting firm, where I offered strategic recommendations and business and marketing plans to Fortune 500 companies in industries ranging from advertising to automotive. This background gives me a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by my clients, allowing me to provide legal advice that is not only sound but also practical and business-minded.
At the Law Offices of Ashley R. Dobbs, Esq., I bring this wealth of experience and expertise to every client I serve. Whether you're an entrepreneur protecting your brand, a non-profit seeking legal guidance, or an artist looking to secure your creative work, I’m here to provide the personalized legal support you need. My practice is built on a commitment to helping you achieve your goals and protecting what matters most to you.
Presentations
Presentations – Prior 1/1/2019- Panelist, "Seeing Problems as Opportunities: How to Solve Problems for Hopeful Clients," AALS Annual Clinical Conference, Association of American Law Schools (April 2023)
- Panelist, "Snatching Hope & Creativity from the Jaws of a Pandemic," AALS Annual Clinical Conference, Association of American Law Schools (April 2023)
- Panelist, "From Pain to Creativity: How AI Helped Kristina Kashtanova Illustrate Her “Zarya of the Dawn” Story – featuring Richmond Law’s Ashley Dobbs and Roger Skalbeck ," The Geek in Review Podcast, 3 Geeks and the Law Blog (April 2023)
- Presenter, "IP and Business Law for Entreprenuers," New Venture Creation (MGT 352), UR Robins Business School (April 2023)
- Presenter, "Does Art Want to Be Free? Copyright Law and Burning Man Principles," Burning Man, Plaisance (August 2022)
- Presenter, "Law for Artists and Makers - Ask a Lawyer," Burning Man, Plaisance (August 2022)
- Presenter, "Does Art Want to Be Free? Copyright Law and Burning Man," Monthly Meeting, Greater Richmond IP Law Association (April 2022)
- Presenter, "Legal Considerations for Start-ups," New Venture Creation Class, Robins School of Business, Univ. of Richmond (March 2022)
- Presenter, "IP and Business Law for Entrepreneurs," Entrepreneur Accelerator Program, RVA Works (October 2021)
- Presenter, "Does Art Want to Be Free? Exploration of Copyright Law and Burning Man," Annual September Meeting, Atlanta IP Inn of Court (September 2021)
- Presenter, "IP and Asset Protection for Small Businesses," Mastermind Conference, ShopFixAcademy (July 2021)
- Moderator, "'Reckoning with our Past and Building for the Future' - Transactional Law Clinics ," 2021 AALS Conference on Clinical Legal Education , AALS (April 2021)
- Presenter, "IP and Business Law for Entrepreneurs," Entrepreneur Accelerator Program, RVA Works (April 2021)
- Presenter, "Advanced Design and Word Search Techniques for Trademarks," LES Webinar, Licensing Executives Society of USA an Canada (March 2021)
- Presenter, "Start-ups, Artists, & IP Protection," SIPLA Presents, Student IP Law Association (March 2021)
- Presenter, "Advanced Trademark Clearance Searching Techniques," Intellectual Property Section CLE, State Bar of Georgia (February 2021)
- Panelist, "Legal Concerns for Richmond's Start-up Community and Entrepreneurs," Inaugural Conference, Richmond Law & Business Forum (February 2021)
- Panelist, "Women in Technology Law," University of Richmond’s Journal of Law & Technology Spring Symposium, University of Richmond’s Journal of Law & Technology (February 2021)
- Presenter, "IP and Business Law for Entrepreneurs," Entrepreneur Accelerator Program, RVA Works (October 2020)
- Panelist, "'Superman Returns' - Entertainment and IP Joint Licensing Case Study," Lunch Presentation, Richmond Law Sports and Entertainment Law Society (April 2020)
- "Understanding Animal Law in Transactions," Animal Law course, University of Richmond School of Law ( 2019)
- "Does Art Want to Be Free? Copyright Law and Burning Man Principles," Plaisance (August 2019)
- "Law and Ethics in Business," WIBO: Assuring Lasting Success - Ethics and the Law, RVA Works (August 2019)
- Presenter, "Reclaiming Your Time: the Zen of Time and Productivity Management," 2019 Paralegal Seminar, Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys and Lunch & Learn, Hancock Daniel (August 2019)
Memberships
Member, Board of Directors, PetSmart Charities (2012 - present)
Bar Admissions
- Virginia
- District of Columbia
- United States Supreme Court
Professional Experience
Professor of Law, Legal Practice (2022 - present)
University of Richmond School of Law, Richmond, VA
Director of the Intellectual Property and Transactional Law Clinic (2015 - present)
University of Richmond School of Law, Richmond, VA
Principal (2015 - present)
Dobbs Law PLLC
Associate Clinical Professor of Law (2019 - 2022)
University of Richmond School of Law, Richmond, VA
Assistant Clinical Professor of Law (2015 - 2019)
University of Richmond School of Law, Richmond, VA
Shareholder (2013 - 2015)
Bean, Kinney & Korman, P.C., Arlington, VA
Associate (2011 - 2013)
Bean, Kinney & Korman, P.C., Arlington, VA
Associate (2011 - 2011)
Protorae Law PLLC, Tysons Corner, VA
Attorney (2009 - 2010)
Law Office of Ashley R. Dobbs, Alexandria, VA
Associate (2005 - 2009)
Hogan Lovells, Washington, DC
Principal Business and Marketing Consultant (1997 - 2002)
The Dobbs Group Inc., Long Beach, CA
Account Operations Manager (1988 - 1997)
Maritz, Inc.
MAGAZINES/TRADE PUBLICATIONS
Common Copyright Mistakes Small Businesses Make, BKK Business Law Newsletter (January 2014).
Copyright Law 101: Your Guide to Copyright Law, Webcents Magazine (November 2012).
Copyright Law: What Intellectual Property is Protected?, Small Business Trends (September 2012).
Alert for Trademark Owners: Trademark Monitoring and Registration Scams, IP Frontline (June 2012).
U.S. Copyright Termination - A Window is Opening, Intellectual Property Today (May 2012).
Apple's TM Loss May Have A Silver Lining For Brand Owners (Law360)
Fri., Apr. 7, 2023
Fri., Apr. 7, 2023
Odds may be in Luka Doncic's favor to erase mom's TM (Law360)
Thu., Oct. 20, 2022
Apps and Oranges: Behind Apple’s ‘Bullying’ on Trademarks (NY Times)
Fri., Mar. 11, 2022
(University of Richmond Newsroom)
Fri., Jul. 24, 2020
Disney's Rap as Trademark Bully Revived in Baby Yoda Crackdown (Bloomberg Law)
Tue., Feb. 11, 2020
The "Higher Ground" Trademark Dispute (The Synopsis)
Wed., Sep. 25, 2019
Katy Perry's Copyright Infringement Lawsuit (The Synopsis)
Thu., Aug. 1, 2019
Kawhi Leonard v. Nike, Inc., 2019 (The Synopsis)
Tue., Jul. 23, 2019
Cardi B's Trademark Application Denial (The Synopsis)
Wed., Jul. 17, 2019
Celebrity Trademark Applications (The Synopsis)
Mon., Jun. 3, 2019
Cardi B's Trademark Application (The Synopsis)
Fri., Apr. 5, 2019
UR runs intellectual property law clinic to help small businesses and entrepreneurs (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Sat., Jul. 22, 2017
EDUCATION
- B.A., cum laude, University of Pennsylvania - 1987
- J.D., magna cum laude, University of Richmond - 2005
COURSES TAUGHT
Intellectual Property and Transactional Law Clinic
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
- Intellectual Property
- Transactional Law
- Government Contracts
- Animal Law
Schedule A CONSULTATION
Ready to protect your ideas and take your business to the next level? Book a consultation with me today, and let’s discuss how I can provide the legal support you need. Whether you’re just starting out or need assistance with ongoing legal matters, I’m here to help. Contact me through my website or by phone to get started.
Business Hours
- Mon - Fri
- -
- Sat - Sun
- Closed
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