In 2010, when three grifters claiming links to the famed Guggenheim family began soliciting money for bogus investment schemes involving diamonds and Iraqi oil deals from wealthy investors including former President George H.W. Bush, Guggenheim Capital turned to its long-time lawyers at McDermott Will & Emery for help. McDermott’s John Dabney began a detailed investigation, and last year filed a trademark and civil RICO case against the trio. In July, Guggenheim was awarded $1.25 million in damages for trademark counterfeiting, plus attorney fees. McDermott also took evidence to the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York, which filed criminal charges.
“Having people knock off the name was very upsetting not just on a business level but on an emotional level to Guggenheim Capital,” said Sarah Chapin Columbia, head of the firm’s IP group, which includes about 190 lawyers.
