Daphne Benford-Smith Counsel
Daphne Benford-Smith is a dedicated and passionate attorney specializing in trademark and copyright law, as well as serving as outside general counsel for a variety of industries, with a particular focus on gaming, anime, and social media influencers. Her commitment to her practice areas and industries is reflected through her active involvement and numerous speaking engagements.
Daphne has spoken at prominent events such as Alt Legal Connect 2023, where she addressed the intersection of Trademark Law and the First Amendment, and has published articles on the same topic with Alt Legal. She has also been a featured speaker at the Indie Game Business Conference, providing invaluable legal insights to indie video game developers. Her expertise extends to international platforms, having been published in the Trademark Lawyer Magazine newsletter regarding the SUPERHEROES trademark battle.
As a respected speaker on a video game law panel at NCCU Law’s Law and Tech Summit and a consistent presence at anime and nerd conventions across the country, including Dream Convention, Daphne is dedicated to educating creatives and entrepreneurs on legal issues and offering practical tips. She is honored to serve on the advisory board for Women In Games International and will be a speaker at their GDC summit in 2025.
Daphne prides herself on her forward-thinking approach and leadership within her industries. She has successfully assisted clients with complex agreements for publishing, distribution, and services, handled intricate trademark cases some of which involved defending against major corporations, navigated data privacy and consumer compliance issues, and provided artificial intelligence advising. Notably, she collaborated with the renowned gaming studio Aerial Knight Studio to create a free publishing agreement template kit.
Her passion for representing clients is evident in her zealous efforts to further their business goals through mindful collaboration. Daphne’s extensive experience and genuine dedication make her a trusted ally for anyone seeking expert legal guidance.
Education
- University of North Texas, B.A. Sociology (2015)
- Thurgood Marshall School of Law, J.D. (2018)
Licensure/Bar Admissions
- State of Texas
- Texas Bar College
- Women In Games International – Advisory Board
Practice Areas
- Trademark
- Copyright
- Entertainment Law
- Litigation Support
- Data and Technology
- Business Transactions
- Outside General Counsel
Welcome to Holon Law Partners
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