Shannan Higgins

Shannan  is a special counsel in Cooley’s technology transactions and trademark, copyright and advertising practice groups. She provides strategic guidance to entrepreneurs, multinational companies, media organizations and nonprofits in the creation, acquisition, use and commercial exploitation of technology and intellectual property. Her industry areas of focus include edtech, consumer-facing products and services, media, manufacturing and supply, digital health, big data, software and hardware, and advertising. Shannan’s practice involves handling complex agreements for significant commercial transactions with bespoke business terms. She uses the negotiation process to focus the parties’ respective and shared goals, and to address potential implementation challenges.

Shannan’s career includes serving as a deputy assistant general counsel for the US Department of Education for eight years, including one year as acting assistant general counsel of regulatory services. During her tenure at the Department of Education, she helped solve complex problems with diverse policy objectives. Her experience drafting regulations that articulate complicated concepts with minimal ambiguity complements her practice involving high-stakes commercial deals. Shannan’s deep regulatory experience also facilitates the efficient and effective identification, analysis and creative resolution of issues at the intersection of business and regulation.

Examples of matters Shannan handles are:

• Multiparty collaboration agreements for exclusive licenses of iconic, globally recognized brands
• Licensing patents, technology and digital media, from freelance arrangements to agreements involving multiple products and distribution streams
• Joint development, manufacturing and distribution agreements for technology-based foods, dietary supplements and other products
• Navigation of regulatory requirements in areas such as privacy, consumer warranties and education
• Trademark matters and prosecution of trademarks, including the clearance of potential trademarks for use and registration