Meet M: Director of FI6
A lover of all things #spy, Mariessa aka M, serves as the not-so-secret Director of FI6, loosely based on her favorite fictional secret agent series, James Bond. Founded in 2021, FI6 is a division of Fashion Law & Policy, a think tank. #00Fashion
FashionIntel.us | 202-629-9261
@FashionIntelDotUS
FashionIntel.us | 202-629-9261
@FashionIntelDotUS
Mariessa Terrell ( [MAH] + [REE] + [SA] ) is a native Washingtonian, barred in the District of Columbia and Maryland, who has been practicing law for over 20 years, specializing in trademark, trademark enforcement, licensing and contracts. After working as a trademark lawyer in the private sector for 17 year, Mariessa returned to the US Patent and Trademark Office in March 2020 where she prosecuted trademarks for leaders in the publishing, fashion and beauty industries. In October 2022, Mariessa was selected to serve as a trademark attorney advisor in the USPTO office of Trademarks Customer Outreach where she delivers to experienced practitioners educational content on advanced trademark topics.
Prior to returning to the USPTO, Mariessa worked as founding partner of Innovation PI Law where she provided marketing, intellectual property docketing services, software licensing and intellectual property law services to a variety of corporate and business development clients, including: Lockheed Martin Corporation Information Systems and Global Services; Leidos Corporation, the University of the District of Columbia; the Washington Baptist Seminary; Global Villages Publishing, Raine Magazine; Gloria Gelfand Marketing Co. and many others. Mariessa also served as a law Clerk for the Honorable Judge Cheryl Long, who presided over the Tax Division of the Superior Court of District of Columbia.
In 2004, Mariessa created a special division of her firm dedicated to addressing the unique needs of fashion purveyors.
In 2006, Mariessa drafted legislation to create a DC Commission on Fashion Arts and Events; and in 2013, Mayor Vincent Gray appointed Mariessa to serve as a DC Fashion Commissioner. In 2018, Mayor Muriel Bowser reappointed Mariessa to serve an additional 4 years.
In 2015, Mariessa assumed the role of Adjunct Professor & Supervising Attorney of the Howard University School of Law Intellectual Property Law Clinic and taught Fashion Law for five years.
In addition to practicing law, Mariessa serves as the Executive Director of the High Tea Society, an ethics and critical thinking program for girls in Washington, DC. In 2024, she launched Ask Your Auntea—a digital storytelling and mentorship platform powered by Simi, a virtual teen guide who helps girls navigate real-life choices. The project includes a podcast (available on Spotify), interactive chats, and microlearning videos. Learn more at AskYourAuntea.com and follow @askyourauntea on all platforms. Mariessa also produced and hosted #DCisFashion, a 30-minute television series on DCN Channel 16, highlighting DC’s leadership in fashion advocacy and culture.
Prior to returning to the USPTO, Mariessa worked as founding partner of Innovation PI Law where she provided marketing, intellectual property docketing services, software licensing and intellectual property law services to a variety of corporate and business development clients, including: Lockheed Martin Corporation Information Systems and Global Services; Leidos Corporation, the University of the District of Columbia; the Washington Baptist Seminary; Global Villages Publishing, Raine Magazine; Gloria Gelfand Marketing Co. and many others. Mariessa also served as a law Clerk for the Honorable Judge Cheryl Long, who presided over the Tax Division of the Superior Court of District of Columbia.
In 2004, Mariessa created a special division of her firm dedicated to addressing the unique needs of fashion purveyors.
In 2006, Mariessa drafted legislation to create a DC Commission on Fashion Arts and Events; and in 2013, Mayor Vincent Gray appointed Mariessa to serve as a DC Fashion Commissioner. In 2018, Mayor Muriel Bowser reappointed Mariessa to serve an additional 4 years.
In 2015, Mariessa assumed the role of Adjunct Professor & Supervising Attorney of the Howard University School of Law Intellectual Property Law Clinic and taught Fashion Law for five years.
In addition to practicing law, Mariessa serves as the Executive Director of the High Tea Society, an ethics and critical thinking program for girls in Washington, DC. In 2024, she launched Ask Your Auntea—a digital storytelling and mentorship platform powered by Simi, a virtual teen guide who helps girls navigate real-life choices. The project includes a podcast (available on Spotify), interactive chats, and microlearning videos. Learn more at AskYourAuntea.com and follow @askyourauntea on all platforms. Mariessa also produced and hosted #DCisFashion, a 30-minute television series on DCN Channel 16, highlighting DC’s leadership in fashion advocacy and culture.