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Tess Bonoli

Associate
Tess Bonoli's headshot
Tess Bonoli Associate

Tess Bonoli focuses her practice on intellectual property protection, acquistions, licensing, trademark prosecution and portfolio management, technology transactions, data privacy compliance and data security matters.

Tess’ clients include individuals, startups, multinational companies with global brand recognition, private equity funds, venture capital investors and sophisticated operating companies. Her clients span a wide range of industries, including ecommerce platforms, technology companies, fashion and beauty retailers, fitness and wellness companies, arts and educational organizations, and private equity firms.

Tess represents clients in matters concerning protecting and leveraging IP assets, trademark prosecution and maintenance (including management of global trademark portfolios), art acquisitions, technology transactions, software development and licensing, open source analyses and advice, assessment and management of privacy and data security compliance obligations, development of privacy policies and terms of service, and M&A support in the IP, technology and privacy spaces.

Tess’ clients appreciate that her business-savvy approach to their ventures, compliance efforts and corporate transactions facilitates their creativity and growth, while mitigating risk and liability exposure. 

Tess provides dedicated pro bono legal services to arts organizations, and delivers presentations and lectures in the field of art law to artists, students, lawyers and art market professionals.

Experience

  • Managed fashion retailer’s global trademark portfolio with marks in 48 countries.
  • Prosecuted trademark application and successfully overcame likelihood of confusion objections for wellness company’s flagship trademark.
  • Advised arts organization in connection with commissioning and loaning works of art, and negotiating publicity rights consents relating to the artwork.
  • Prosecuted trademark application, successfully overcame USPTO office action and achieved registration of pet care company’s key trademark for its new branding initiative.
  • Advised private art collector in connection with a multimillion-dollar sculpture acquisition, including transport and installation considerations for the artwork.
  • Developed privacy policy, terms of service and artist agreements for NFT platform operator offering custom artwork NFTs to a multinational consumer base.
  • Represented fashion retailer in contract drafting/negotiations with multiple technology providers (including digital marketing technology providers), including GDPR analysis and documentation.
  • Assisted accounting and business consulting company in assessing its obligations pursuant to, and in its efforts to comply with, privacy and data security laws including CCPA and GDPR.
  • Advised private equity fund in its acquisition of an IT services company with proprietary software and a complex trademark portfolio.
  • Advised private equity fund in its acquisition of a home fragrances company with a robust domestic and international trademark portfolio.

Professional Activities

Center for Art Law, Advisory Board Member and Editor (2020-2025)

Recognition

Awards

  • New York Metro Rising Star, Thomson Reuters' Super Lawyers, 2025
  • Beryl Jones-Woodin Alumni of the Year Award, Brooklyn Law School Art Law Association, 2021

Brooklyn Law School

  • Certificate in Intellectual Property, Media & Information Law
  • Brooklyn Law Review, Associate Managing Editor
  • Moot Court Honor Society, Appellate Division, Competitor and Coach
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution Society, Competitor and Coach
  • Art Law Association, President
  • CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in: Entertainment Law and Law of Non-Profit Organizations

Speaking Engagements

  • Guest Lecturer, “Trademark Law for Artists,” School of Visual Arts, February 18, 2026
  • Faculty Member, “Trademark Law & Art,” Art Law Summer School, hosted by Center for Art Law, May 14, 2025
  • Moderator, “Information & Compliance: Legal Issues for Galleries,” Center for Art Law webinar, April 28, 2022
Tess Bonoli's headshot

Education

  • Brooklyn Law School, J.D.
  • Tufts University, B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

Bar Admissions

  • New York
  • Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York

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