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Upscale Law’s Trademark & Business Law Practices Acquired by Peele Law Group; Courtney English to remain Of Counsel and Launch New Estate Planning Brand 

ZIONSIVLLE, IN — Peele Law Group, PC and Upscale Law are excited to announce the acquisition and integration of Upscale Law’s brand, trademark, and business law practices into Peele Law Group.

Based in Indiana with staff across the U.S., Peele Law Group serves clients in the United States and 18 international jurisdictions in intellectual property and business law matters. Known for providing practical and comprehensive legal solutions with a client-centered approach, PLG continues to grow its reputation for excellence. PLG serves as fractional general counsel for many clients as well, allowing the PLG team to help guide clients in a deeply connected and collaborative fashion. Founded by Amie Peele Leake in 2021, after decades spent in a large international law firm, PLG continues to grow the size of its team and client base, serving clients with intentionality.

Founded by Courtney English, Upscale Law has proudly supported entrepreneurs, creatives and business owners in building and protecting their brands and business. Over the past five years, Courtney has navigated many personal and professional changes, and with a forward- focused vision, she has decided to transition her trademark and business clients to PLG to ensure continued high-quality service and growth. English will remain of counsel with PLG, continuing to support business and trademark matters as needed. Meanwhile, she is preparing to launch a new brand dedicated to estate planning and business succession—areas close to her heart and aligned with her evolving passion for legacy and long-term strategy.

English and Peele Leake first connected through MothersEsquire, www.mothersesquire.org, where Ms. Peele Leake serves as board member. MothersEsquire is a national community for lawyer-moms that began as a Facebook group and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a network of over 9,000 women. MothersEsquire regularly hosts conferences and other networking events, while also advocating for equity in the profession.

The firms’ shared values – integrity, service, and the pursuit of both professional fulfillment and meaningful family life—laid the groundwork for this collaboration. The transition reflects a mutual desire to serve clients exceptionally well while also embracing their roles as businesswomen and mothers. Both English and Peele Leake are excited about this new chapter and the opportunity to serve their clients in deeper, more focused ways.

For business and trademark legal services, clients are encouraged to connect with Amie at Peele Law Group directly: [email protected] or 317.231.2335. Peele Law Group is located on the web at www.peelelawgroup.com.

For media inquiries regarding PLG, contact Susan Hazzard at [email protected].

For estate planning or business succession matters—or to stay updated on Courtney’s new venture—you may reach her at [email protected].

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Kelly Thompson

Of Counsel

[email protected]

317-559-5183

Kelly Thompson is a trusted advisor and litigator who greatly enjoys the “people” aspect of practicing law. She brings a passion for learning her clients’ businesses and backgrounds to every case. Kelly works to understand what motivates her clients and what they want to achieve. This approach helps Kelly to create strategies and to offer thorough and dependable guidance. Kelly has had an exciting and varied career that includes many years litigating in a regional law firm, managing litigation as in-house counsel for a global Fortune 500 corporation, and serving as in-house counsel, Privacy Officer, and compliance director for a prominent healthcare organization. Kelly also clerked for the Late Honorable Larry J. McKinney of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.

Kelly has appeared in state and federal courts, as well as mediation rooms, all over the United States, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. Her clients have included small businesses and corporate giants alike. Kelly is experienced in advising and litigating in the intellectual property, life sciences and healthcare spaces. She possesses deep experience navigating the Health Insurance Portability and Accessibility Act (HIPAA) for her clients, and also has extensive experience in data privacy and protection. Kelly also served for a time as a Deputy Attorney General for the State of Indiana, practicing administrative law as the attorney for many state agencies.

  • Member of the Indiana State Bar Association, the Health Lawyers Association and the Health Care Compliance Association

  • Education: Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, cum laude; Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Indiana University

  • Licensed to practice in Indiana

  • Admitted in the United States District Courts of the State of Indiana, and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Czarina Taylor

Litigation Paralegal

[email protected]

202.964.4500

Czarina is a seasoned litigation paralegal with over seven years of experience in diverse legal areas including intellectual property, debt collection, criminal defense, personal injury, and family law. Since obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Law from Liberty University, she has honed her knowledge of legal procedures and case management systems. Czarina plays a pivotal role in supporting PLG’s attorneys and clients alike.

Throughout her career, she’s enhanced her skills in legal research, case management, and client communication, ensuring that each client receives the utmost attention and support. She brings patience and precision to her work as a paralegal.

In addition to her professional and personal pursuits, Czarina is a military spouse and a dedicated mother of three children. She embodies resilience and adaptability, navigating the challenges of relocations and family life with grace and determination.

With a passion for law, a flair for creativity, and a steadfast commitment to her family, Czarina exemplifies dependability and strength in her personal and professional endeavors.

Amy Parker

Administrative Assistant

[email protected]

202.964.4500

Highly organized and detail oriented, Amy meticulously manages our client communications and secure filing systems. Amy schedules our meetings and keeps our operations running smoothly.

At the core of Amy’s work is her passion for helping others. With nearly 20 years in healthcare and hospital settings, she combines inherent compassion and distinct problem-solving dexterity to ensure that all our work delivers the utmost in client satisfaction.

Anne Ricchiuto

Of Counsel

[email protected]

202.964.4500

Anne Ricchiuto is an accomplished first-chair litigator with nearly two decades of work in commercial litigation, dispute resolution and client counseling. Anne’s extensive experience includes a lengthy tenure at an AmLaw 100 firm, as well as consulting for a Fortune 1000 public company, resulting in unique insights into achieving effective outside counsel relationships.

  • Four-Time Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation
  • Education: Juris Doctor, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, summa cum laude; Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Northwestern University
  • Licensed to practice in Indiana
  • Admitted in the United States District Courts of the State of Indiana, the Western District of Michigan, and the Sixth and Seventh Circuit Courts of Appeals

Alana Fernandez

Of Counsel

[email protected]

202.964.4500

With more than a decade of experience in intellectual property law, Alana has applied her expertise in areas including patents, trademarks, copyrights, licensing, and related litigation. Alana has worked with clients across the spectrum of business sizes and structures, and spent many years in a large university system in the field of technology transfer.

  • Education: Juris Doctor, Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center; Bachelor of Science in Biology, Minor in Chemistry
  • Licensed to practice in the state of Louisiana
  • Admitted before the United States District Courts of Louisiana, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • Registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office

Ashley Hodges

Of Counsel

[email protected]

202.964.4500

Ashley has more than a decade of experience as an attorney primarily focused on intellectual property, trademarks, contracts, estate planning, and sales and use tax.

At Peele Law Group, Ashley manages all aspects of clearance, protection, and maintenance of clients’ domestic and international trademark portfolios, including negotiations with various trademark offices to secure trademark registrations as well as disputes in front of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

  • Education: Juris Doctor, University of Tulsa College of Law; Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Oklahoma State University; Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, Southern Nazarene University
  • Licensed to practice in the state of Oklahoma

Susan Kaspar

Trademark Paralegal and Operations Manager

[email protected]

317.231.2336

Susan’s positive and energetic support is at the heart of Peele Law Group. With her Trademark Paralegal Certificate, Susan manages the firm’s docket and trademark portfolios. A business owner herself, Susan has worked for years in high-level office administration roles. Her client-focused approach supports and ensures seamless interactions with each of Peele Law Group’s clients.

Amie Peele Leake

Founding Partner

[email protected]

202.964.4500

Amie Peele Leake is the founding partner of Peele Law Group. Amie has deep experience in branding, eCommerce, business, and advertising law. Applying skills gleaned from over 20 years at an AmLaw 100 firm, Amie has helped clients including multinational enterprises, Fortune 100 firms, marketing agencies, publishers, sports organizations, entrepreneurs, celebrities, and more.

Amie advises and advocates on a dynamic range of subjects, focused on our clients’ business goals, supported by legal and financial interests. She believes that legal should support the business, not the other way around. Amie’s passion is working with businesses where the PLG team can make an authentic and meaningful contribution to the client’s success.

Amie is also a certified civil mediator for all types of business matters. She also has a special focus on mediating intellectual property disputes.

Associations

  • Bronze Corporate Partner and Member, National Association of Women Business Owners, Indianapolis
  • Fellow, Indianapolis Bar Foundation
  • Fellow, and Former Director, American Intellectual Property Law Association
  • Board of Directors, MothersEsquire
  • Member, American Intellectual Property Bar Association (past board member)
  • Member, International Trademark Association
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Indiana State Bar Association
  • Member, Indianapolis Bar Association
  • Member and Sponsor, Queen City Women in Business

Education

  • Juris Doctor, Emory University School of Law / Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Milsaps College; also studied foreign policy at American University
  • Licensed to practice in Indiana
  • Licensed to practice in New York* (accepted, pending final approval)
  • Admitted in the United States District Courts of the State of Indiana (Northern and Southern Districts), and the United States Supreme Court.

Accolades

  • Sports Business Journal, Power Player – Outside Counsel
  • U.S. Supreme Court amicus brief, Two-Time Attorney of Record
  • S. Jay Plager IP American Inn of Court, Master of the Bench
  • World Trademark Review, Four-Time WTR 1000