David Schnider
David Schnider’s practice is grounded in helping companies make smart, business‑driven decisions about licensing and trademark protection for their brands. He brings a calm, pragmatic approach to every deal and dispute. Before joining Nolan Heimann in 2015, David was a partner at a national litigation firm and served as general counsel for a $100‑million‑a‑year apparel company. As the only practicing attorney certified as a Qualified Licensing Professional (QLP) by Licensing International, David combines deep trademark and licensing experience with industry‑specific insight. Whether he is negotiating a global license, defending an audit, or advising on AI integration, he focuses on clear explanations, practical options, and solutions that support long‑term brand growth.
Client roster includes:
Consumer product companies in toys, collectibles, apparel, and body care
Licensees and brand owners across consumer products and entertainment
Video game and interactive entertainment companies
Entertainment and media companies expanding into licensed products
Emerging technology companies integrating AI into products and services
Creators, influencers, and rights‑holders protecting and monetizing IP
David’s work focuses on:
Consumer Products Licensing: David represents licensees and rights‑holders in toys, collectibles, apparel, body care, and other consumer products, negotiating inbound and outbound license agreements that turn IP into scalable revenue streams. He structures royalty, minimum guarantee, and audit provisions with an eye toward what actually happens at retail and helps clients prepare for and defend against licensing audits, often negotiating settlements at a fraction of initial demands while preserving key business relationships.
Trademark Strategy and Portfolio Management: David manages domestic and international trademark portfolios—from clearance and registration through enforcement and licensing. He has filed more than 1,000 trademark applications in the U.S. and abroad and leads enforcement programs that protect brands from counterfeiting and unauthorized use across e‑commerce platforms and brick‑and‑mortar retail channels.
Generative AI, Copyright, and Brand Strategy: A leading voice on generative AI in the licensing space, David counsels licensors and licensees on how AI fits into product design, marketing, and operations. He drafts and negotiates AI‑specific clauses in license agreements, advises on copyright and trademark issues raised by AI‑generated content, and helps clients design internal AI policies that respect creators’ rights while improving speed, pricing, and competitiveness.
Known for his ability to translate dense contracts and complex concepts into actionable strategies, David is frequently tapped to collaborate with product development, sales, finance, and marketing teams. He is a member of Licensing International and has spoken at industry conferences such as Entertainment X‑Tracks’ The Future of Licensing Executive Summit, where he addresses the legal implications of AI and the future of IP monetization.
Bar Admissions
California
Education
UC Law San Francisco (formerly Hastings), J.D.
University of California, Berkeley, B.A. Rhetoric
Professional Certification:
Qualified Licensing Professional (QLP), Licensing International
David has filed over 1000 trademark registrations in the U.S. and overseas and has negotiated and drafted hundreds of business agreements with service providers, manufacturers, distributors, vendors, and other business partners.
“All of my clients have original IP to protect, and many of them have inbound or outbound licensing to execute and manage.”
“I love the feeling that I get when I help a client solve a problem or manage an issue, so that they can stop worrying about it.”
representative matters
Negotiated multi-million dollar licensing deal with The Walt Disney Company for high-end line of specialty apparel
Led enforcement programs that reduced online and brick‑and‑mortar counterfeiting sources by more than 50%, including securing “brand gating” protections on major e‑commerce platforms.
Managed global trademark portfolios for apparel, consumer product, and interactive entertainment companies, including filing more than 1,000 trademark registrations in the U.S. and overseas.
Built a multi‑million‑dollar licensed apparel division as General Counsel of a $100‑million‑a‑year apparel company, overseeing licensing, IP portfolio management, and brand protection worldwide.
Negotiated and drafted outbound licensing and promotional endorsement agreements for a global health and fitness personality, aligning IP, publicity, and performance terms with long‑term business strategy.
Advises licensors and licensees on integrating generative AI into product design, marketing, and licensing operations, including drafting AI‑specific contract provisions and internal guidelines for responsible use.
Co‑hosts Nolan Heimann’s “The Licensing Exchange” podcast and hosts the “Meta This!” series, interviewing industry leaders on licensing strategy, metaverse branding, and the business impact of AI.