ABOUT US

Legal Services & Creative Brand Management

De Novo Legal PC is a full‑service law firm based in San Diego, CA offering comprehensive corporate and intellectual property counsel to clients across a diverse range of industries, including entertainment, technology, manufacturing, sports, real estate, and service sectors. From corporate formation and governance to international agreements, licensing, and brand management, the firm provides tailored legal solutions that protect and enhance each client’s business interests—whether negotiating complex distribution deals, securing media placements, or enforcing trademarks and copyrights.

Built on a foundation of hands‑on industry experience, De Novo Legal combines strategic business development insights with rigorous legal expertise. The team manages global IP portfolios, oversees litigation and anti‑counterfeit actions, and negotiates high‑profile agreements, all while guiding clients through risk management, compliance, and growth initiatives. With a client‑focused approach, De Novo Legal ensures that every legal strategy aligns with broader business goals, delivering practical advice and lasting results.

DE NOVO Legal

Proudly Protecting Idea's Since 2008

Maria Johnson, Esq.

Founding Partner

Your Global I.P. Partner

Testimonials

Maria has been our go-to trademark attorney at RMD Group for over 15 years. She’s helped us file and protect multiple trademarks, including our core brand identity, and always makes the process smooth, strategic, and efficient. Her responsiveness, attention to detail, and deep understanding of brand protection have made her an invaluable partner to our team.

Sarah Keckler

Exec. Project Manager

RMD Group

We have been working with De Novo Legal for over 10 years. Maria and her Team have always been extremely professional and responsive in handling our Intellectual Property needs.

Michael Feinman

CEO

Cohn Restaurant Group

Maria Johnson and her team at De Novo Legal are the best! They have registered trademarks worldwide for our company for many years and are always protecting our trademarks due to challenges from others looking to use our brand names or different versions of our names.

Patrick Docrkry

Enjoy Hair Care

We’ve been working with Maria for several years, and she’s been an incredible asset to our business. She’s helped us navigate complex matters with clarity and insight, and I’ve learned so much from her in the process. Maria is always a phone call away to walk me through any questions I have… her advice is always precise and spot-on. We’ve had a lot of success under her guidance and truly can’t recommend her highly enough.

Lauren Alexander

Co-Founder

LNA Clothing

For over 20 years, Maria has been a close friend of my father, Francisco, and now she is helping our family-owned restaurant navigate the complexities of the business world.

Maria’s extensive knowledge and expertise have been invaluable to us. She has a remarkable ability to explain legal concepts in a way that is easy to understand, making the process much less daunting. Her dedication to our success is evident in every interaction, and we truly feel supported under her guidance.

Beyond her professional skills, Maria is an incredible mother, wife, and friend. Her compassion and commitment to her clients shine through in everything she does. We wholeheartedly recommend Maria and her firm, De Novo Legal PC, to anyone in need of legal assistance. We are grateful to have her by our side!

Aaron Montellano

Operations Manager

Tommy V's Urban Kitchen & Bar

Trademarks

2,500+

Copyrights

650+

Years of experience

5-star ratings

300+

Attorneys

Services

Intellectual Property

De Novo Legal’s IP practice offers comprehensive trademark, patent, and copyright registration and portfolio management in the U.S. and abroad. We conduct bespoke clearance searches, devise strategic filing plans, and negotiate licensing, co‑branding, and distribution agreements to maximize the value of your assets. When protection is threatened, our enforcement team pursues anti‑counterfeit actions, oppositions, cancellations, and litigation to safeguard and monetize your intellectual property.

Copyright

De Novo Legal assists clients with copyright registration and portfolio management, securing protection for creative works both in the U.S. and internationally. We draft and negotiate licensing, assignment, and collaboration agreements to help you monetize and control your content. If infringement occurs, our team conducts monitoring, issues takedown notices, and pursues enforcement actions—including litigation—to defend your rights and preserve your value.

Product Placement

De Novo Legal’s product placement services guide brands through every stage of securing strategic on‑screen and in‑content integrations. We negotiate placement agreements with networks, studios, and digital platforms—ensuring favorable terms, clear IP rights, and compliance with advertising regulations. Leveraging deep industry relationships, we align your products with high‑profile content to maximize visibility and drive consumer engagement.

Corporate Counsel

De Novo Legal provides end‑to‑end corporate counsel, from entity selection and formation to governance structuring and shareholder agreements. We draft and negotiate a wide range of transactional documents—including joint venture, merger and acquisition, and financing agreements—to support your strategic growth. Our team also delivers ongoing compliance, risk management, and board advisory services, ensuring your business operates smoothly and adapts confidently to evolving legal and regulatory landscapes.

MEET THE TEAM

MARIA JOHNSON

Partner

Maria Johnson is a California‑licensed attorney and founding partner of De Novo Legal PC, specializing in corporate and intellectual property law. She advises public and private clients on corporate formation, international agreements, licensing, trademark and copyright matters, and anti‑counterfeit enforcement. Drawing on her experience as Corporate Counsel and Governmental Liaison for Dimension One Spas, Maria has overseen product development, global distribution, IP portfolios, litigation management, and negotiated high‑profile agreements with brands such as Icon, Capitol Records, and John Lennon.

With significant expertise in business development and marketing, Maria has secured brand partnerships and media placements for clients including Rocawear, Bape, and John Deere across networks like Fox Sports and Discovery Channel. She earned her J.D. from Whittier Law School in 2001 and a B.A. in Psychology from York College in 1996, holds certificates in Intellectual Property Law and Mediation, and is an active member of the California State Bar, the International Trademark Association, and various bar and advisory boards.

TIM DENNISON

Intellectual Property Specialist

Tim Dennison has a J.D. with an emphasis in Patent Law from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, CA and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. In between degrees he has worked in the semiconductor manufacturing and robotic vision fields with postings in the United States, Southeast Asia and Europe.

WHY CHOOSE US?

Choose De Novo Legal for our deep, industry‑specific expertise, client‑focused strategies, global reach with local insight, and proven track record of delivering results.

Deep Industry Expertise

Our attorneys combine years of hands‑on experience across entertainment, technology, manufacturing, sports, real estate, and more—ensuring nuanced, sector‑specific guidance.

Client‑First Approach

We tailor strategies to your unique goals, offering proactive counsel, clear communication, and responsive support at every stage.

Global Reach, Local Insight

From domestic corporate formation to international licensing and enforcement, we leverage a broad network of trusted counsel and partners.

Proven Track Record

With high‑profile agreements, successful IP defenses, and impactful brand partnerships under our belt, we deliver results that protect your interests and drive growth.

Values

At De Novo Legal, we uphold integrity, excellence, and innovation in every engagement—championing our clients’ visions with unwavering professionalism and creative problem‑solving. We value collaborative partnerships, a commitment to ethical advocacy, and a forward‑thinking approach that empowers businesses to grow confidently and responsibly.