Monique B. Howery

Partner ( Chicago )

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Monique Howery is a skilled litigator whose practice encompasses a range of complex intellectual property matters involving the development, registration, licensing, and enforcement of trademarks. Valued for her experience across a range of industries, Monique offers strategic guidance to advance her clients’ long-term business goals while protecting their legal interests.

Monique is highly regarded for her ability to develop nuanced litigation strategies tailored to the unique needs of each client. She excels at handling matters of first impression and relies on her comprehensive technical knowledge and understanding of legal procedure to exert pressure on the opposition. She has experience counseling a range of clients, including commercial insurers, consumer package goods companies, not-for-profit entities, and student social organizations, on how to secure and protect their trademark rights. She has successfully guided clients through high-stakes litigation involving trademark infringement and represented major brands in trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings. She also assists clients in leveraging their IP assets by drafting and negotiating licensing agreements.

Monique’s practice extends beyond intellectual property, incorporating a comprehensive suite of legal services, including complex commercial litigation and corporate governance. Known for maintaining an unflappable demeanor under even the most challenging circumstances, Monique is regularly trusted with leading high-stakes negotiations and overseeing a range of matters involving breach of contract disputes, real estate litigation, bankruptcy proceedings, corporate structuring, and the drafting, interpretation, and enforcement of bylaws. Monique is well versed in parliamentary procedure and is credentialed registered parliamentarian.

Experience

Representative Engagements

  • Representation of a large consumer package goods company in a trademark infringement matter.
  • Representation of a commercial insurer in trademark opposition proceeding and trademark infringement matter.
  • Representation of a student social organization in contract negotiations for multiday events and conferences.
  • Representation of a non-profit organization in real estate dispute.
  • Representation of secured lenders in restructuring, foreclosure, and insolvency proceedings.
  • Substantial experience advising companies on the risks associated with coronavirus, including contract implications and force majeure.
  • Representation of companies in modification of commercial contracts due to coronavirus-related performance issues.
  • Representation of individual in claims against various government entities and their agents for wrongful conviction and violation of civil rights.

Credentials

Education

Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., 2012
Roosevelt University, M.B.A., 2003
Florida A&M University, B.S., 1995

Bar Admissions

Illinois
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of Illinois
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois

Professional Memberships

National Association of Parliamentarians, Registered Parliamentarian (2023)
Chicago Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
Law360, Access to Justice Editorial Advisory Board (2022)

Honors & Awards

The Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers® (Litigation – Intellectual Property, 2025)
Illinois Leading Lawyer in Commercial Litigation, Copyright & Trademark Law, and Intellectual Property Law, Law Bulletin Media Leading Lawyers (2023-2025)
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), Fellow (2023)
RSHC Pro Bono Award (2024)

Publications & Presentations

“The Tension Between the Ethical Obligation to Promote Diversity in the Legal Field and the Current Climate,” (co-speaker) CCBA, BWLA, and BLMA Platt-Wheeler Legal Education Symposium (February 27, 2025)
“Women's History Month Celebrating Advocates of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fireside Chat,” (moderator) Cook County Bar Association ”Women’s Board of The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, Chicago IL (March 23, 2024)
“Wrongful Convictions: Ethics, Equity and Community Impact,” (co-panelist) Cook County Bar Association ”The Future is Us” Leadership Conference CLE Series, Chicago, IL (June 16, 2023)
“How Inside Counsel Can Move the Needle on Diversity,” (co-author) (January 10, 2022)
“Debtor Emerges as Victor in Confirmation Battle between Competing Chapter 11 Plans,” (author) Reed Smith R&I Alert, Restructuring & Insolvency News (July 2020)
“Sixth Circuit Clarifies Trigger for Determining Appeal Deadlines,” (author) Reed Smith R&I Alert, Restructuring & Insolvency News (January 2019, Issue 1)
“Profit-Sharing Lease Provision Ruled Unenforceable Pursuant to Section 365(f)(1),” (author) Reed Smith R&I Alert, Restructuring & Insolvency News (January 2018, Issue 1)
“Agricultural Cooperative Associations Owe ‘Special Circumstances’ Duties to Creditors upon Insolvency, Bankruptcy Court Says,” (author) Reed Smith CR&B Alert, Commercial Restructuring & Bankruptcy News (April 2017, Issue 1)
“Bankruptcy Court Rejects Yield Capitalization Method in Determining the FMV of an Unbranded Extended-Stay Hotel,” (author) Reed Smith (January 2017)

Community Service

Legal Aid Chicago
Member, Board of Directors (2023 – Present)
Shriver Center on Poverty Law
Member, Board of Directors (2023 – Present)
Professional Council, Executive Committee Chair (2021 – Present)
The Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession
Member, Social Impact Incubator Committee (2017 – Present)