Erica Han is a go-to advisor for global companies and investors seeking to maximize brand value and protect brand reputation in commercial transactions. Co-chair of Ropes & Gray’s consumer & retail industry initiative, a partner in the firm’s intellectual property transactions group, and former senior IP counsel at a leading global sportswear conglomerate, Erica draws on her deep and varied experience to advise on complex deals involving brands and consumer products, ongoing brand strategy, and other intellectual property matters.
Clients across industry sectors—including consumer goods, private equity, technology, sports, non-profits, and health care—regularly turn to Erica for her unique skillset. Erica brings substantive knowledge, particularly in the areas of trademarks, publicity rights, social media influencers, and eponymous brands, coupled with experience across a range of transactions. She assists clients with licensing & collaborations including IP sale/license-back transactions, whole business securitizations and other debt transactions, supply chain transactions, sponsorship deals, and M&A, among others.
In addition to her extensive IP knowledge and transactional experience, clients appreciate Erica’s perspective as former in-house counsel. This perspective is particularly valuable when working with in-house teams, where Erica demonstrates a down-to-earth communication style and business-savvy approach to problem-solving. One client mentioned, “Erica is my first call for all important, complex, high-profile matters… she is particularly skilled at licensing and corporate transactions, and I trust her more than anyone else for these matters.” For these traits and more, Erica has been lauded over the years in external rankings such as World Trademark Review’s “WTR 1000.”
A recognized thought leader who frequently presents on IP-related topics, Erica is often quoted and published in outlets such as New York Times, Wall Street Journal Risk & Compliance Journal, Lexis Practice Advisor, and Axios.
Experience
Erica represents clients across a range of industries and matters. Erica has advised:
- The Hershey Company in its acquisition of Sour Strips, a fast-growing sour candy brand with a powerful social media presence.
- Sodiaal, France's leading dairy cooperative and owner of the Yoplait yogurt brand, as IP transactions counsel and US M&A counsel in an agreement to acquire General Mills' Canadian yogurt business.
- Numerous famous brands on the IP aspects of whole-business securitizations and follow-on offerings, including Servpro Industries, Domino’s Pizza, European Wax Center, Authority Brands, Zaxby’s, Wendy’s, and Goddard Schools.
- National Amusements in the proposed sale of control of Paramount Global to affiliates of Skydance Media in connection with a broader transaction in which Paramount Global and Skydance Media propose to merge, forming “New Paramount” – a next-generation media and technology leader.
- Reebok International Ltd. in its exclusive outfitter and apparel deal with UFC. Also represented Reebok in its sales of The Rockport Company and Mitchell & Ness.
- A leading global dairy cooperative in connection with licensing well known consumer brands in the United States and Canada, as well as related commercial arrangements, including a transition services agreement, a know-how license and collaboration agreement, and multiple intercompany IP licenses.
- Vince Holding Corp. (VNCE) in its strategic partnership with Authentic Brands Group, a global brand development, marketing and entertainment platform, whereby VNCE contributed its intellectual property to ABG Vince for a total consideration of $76.5 million in cash and a 25% membership interest in ABG Vince.
- Advent International in a minority investment in Fisher Investments, valuing Fisher Investments at $12.75 billion, including advising on name rights and trademark issues.
- A global casual dining restaurants operator in two multi-national retail food royalty buy-up licensing transactions.
- Compass Diversified in its definitive agreement to partner with feminine care brand The Honey Pot Company for an enterprise value of $380 million.
- Luxury Brand Partners LLC on a variety of matters, including brand acquisitions and divestitures, supply chain agreements, publicity rights agreements, and co-branding collaborations on a global basis. In addition, advises on the development of beauty and personal care product brands from initial mark selection and clearance through worldwide rights acquisition and defensive and offensive IP disputes.
- BPEA Private Equity Fund VIII (an affiliated investment fund of BPEA EQT) in partnership with existing portfolio company Nord Anglia Education in a deal to acquire IMG Academy from Endeavor Group Holdings.
- Eversource Energy in its definitive agreement to sell its 50 percent ownership share in two offshore wind projects, South Fork Wind and Revolution Wind, to Global Infrastructure Partners for approximately $1.1 billion in cash, subject to adjustments.
- America’s Test Kitchen Limited Partnership (“ATK”), a leading food and culinary media business, in their acquisition by Marquee Brands LLC., a leading global brand owner, marketer and media company.
- Trademark and rights of publicity clearance, counseling, and licensing for a variety of beauty and personal care brands associated with famous individuals, including international pop stars and professional athletes.
- Stride Consumer Partners LLC, a growth equity investment firm focused on passion brands in consumer products and services, in its minority investment in Odele, a Minneapolis-based clean hair care brand and in its minority investment in Patrick Ta Beauty, the namesake beauty brand for world-renowned makeup artist to celebrities Patrick Ta.
- Yasso Holdings, Inc. and Castanea Partners in a definitive agreement to sell Yasso Holdings, Inc. to global consumer goods company Unilever.
- Jones Snowboards in connection with consulting and distribution agreements, athlete sponsorship agreements, global trademark portfolio management, and the resolution of disputes with third parties on an ongoing basis.
- A global information technology company on intellectual property issues related to the separation of the company into two separate businesses. Counseled on the creation and structure of a trademark holding company for brands important to both businesses, drafted template licenses and commercial agreements for both businesses post-split, and provide advice on intellectual property strategy and enforcement processes post-split.
- National Association of Basketball Coaches on the formation of a new media company, Coaches + Media, related services agreements, and brand and media licensing arrangements.
- Crosspoint Capital on IP issues and a brand license agreement in connection with the spin-out acquisition of the RSA Conference business.
- Jefferson River Capital on IP matters and licensing agreements in connection with its $577 million acquisition of Follett Corporation, a provider of educational products and services designed to help in education management for colleges and universities.
- A large global venture capital firm, in trademark and licensing negotiations in connection with a separation into distinct geographic businesses.
- A luxury women’s ready-to-wear and accessories brand in their intellectual property, internet, and social media issues and manage their trademark portfolio, including trademark clearance, prosecution, and enforcement, and assist with complex adverse proceedings regarding trademark matters on a global basis.