Leason Ellis promotes Lori Cooper to partner and adds Elyse Marcus as counsel

Leason Ellis LLP announced leadership and talent moves effective July 1, 2026, including Lori Cooper’s promotion to partner, Elyse Marcus’s arrival as counsel, and promotions for Dexter Chang and Jarryd Werts. The changes underscore the White Plains-based IP firm’s growth across litigation, trademark, copyright, and patent work.

Why it matters: - Leason Ellis is signaling internal growth and continuity by promoting from within while also adding outside talent. - The moves strengthen the firm’s litigation, trademark, copyright, and patent benches at a time when IP work remains a core driver for brand and technology clients.

What happened: - Leason Ellis LLP announced that Lori Cooper was promoted to partner, effective July 1, 2026. - The firm hired Elyse Marcus as counsel in its Trademark and Copyright Practice Group. - Dexter Chang was elevated from senior associate to counsel. - Jarryd Werts was elevated from associate to senior associate. - The announcement came from White Plains, N.Y.

The details: - Cooper is a litigator with a degree in chemistry on a polymer track. - Cooper contributes to Practical Law publications on U.S. advertising law. - Managing IP named Cooper a Rising Star in 2024 and 2025. - Yuval Marcus, managing partner, said Cooper has been an invaluable member of the litigation group for more than a decade and has led the associates committee. - Marcus joined Leason Ellis from Sills Cummis & Gross P.C. - Marcus advises on selection, clearance, registration, licensing, and enforcement of domestic and international intellectual property portfolios. - Marcus’s practice includes trademark and copyright clearance, adoption, prosecution, maintenance, portfolio management, and enforcement strategy. - Chang and Werts both have technical backgrounds tied to the patent practice, with degrees in electrical engineering and biology, respectively. - Leason Ellis said Chang and Werts have become trusted contributors and valued client advisors.

Between the lines: - The promotions suggest Leason Ellis is investing in the next layer of leadership rather than relying only on lateral hiring. - Bringing in a counsel with trademark and copyright experience broadens the firm’s coverage across non-patent IP disputes and portfolio work. - The firm is emphasizing technical credentials alongside legal experience, which is especially relevant in patent and complex IP matters.

What’s next: - Cooper, Marcus, Chang, and Werts are expected to take on expanded responsibilities in their new roles. - Leason Ellis appears positioned to continue competing for clients that need integrated patent, trademark, copyright, and litigation support. - The firm said it will keep advancing talent within its practice groups.

The bottom line: - Leason Ellis is using promotions and a lateral hire to deepen its IP bench and reinforce a growth story built on both internal advancement and specialized expertise.

Leason Ellis manages global patent, trademark, and copyright portfolios and litigates intellectual property disputes for clients of all sizes, including Fortune 100 corporations. The firm says it has been ranked by IP Today, IAM Patent 1000, and World Trademark Review, and that many of its lawyers have been recognized by Super Lawyers and Lexology Index. More information is available on the firm’s website and LinkedIn.