Meet the trademark attorney helping women founders safeguard their brands without expensive legal costs

Neidy Hornsby is the founder of a business and trademark law firm called NOIR IP. The firm, which exclusively serves women entrepreneurs, was founded to fill a gap in access to bespoke legal services.

“For far too long, women have been launching incredible businesses without establishing a strong legal foundation,” Hornsby said to Canvas Rebel. NOIR IP provides quality legal services at predictable flat fees, a model she hopes will disrupt the legal industry.

“Traditionally, attorneys bill by the hour. We have decided to challenge that model. Our core belief is that entrepreneurs should be able to build out their vision unencumbered by mounting legal fees,” she said.

Since 2019, she’s helped female entrepreneurs succeed and today, 98% of new business comes from word-of-mouth referrals. She said her goal is to “lift as she climbs.”

“Yes, I want my business to grow,” Hornsby said, according to HerMoney. “I just want to get to the next level with fellow like-minded women. I believe there is room for us all to exceed our wildest dreams. To that end, I view our clients as partners, not transactions.”

Prior to starting her own firm, Hornsby worked at some of the biggest firms in Florida. However, she decided to go solo after realizing that a traditional corporate structure did not support her values.

“I started my business because I wanted a career that added value to my other important roles,” said the wife, mom of three, and Managing Attorney of Noir IP to Canvas Rebel. “I knew instinctively that I had to design my life and not simply live it.”

When she started her law practice, she was initially open to anyone who could pay for her services. This enabled her to figure out the kind of law she was interested in.

“In the beginning, I practiced ‘door law’ (i.e., whoever came through the door with money to pay),” she noted. “This felt disjointed, in hindsight I can see how it was part of the process. Throughout that time, I was able to think clearly about the kind of law that truly interested me. I gradually began to help entrepreneurs safeguard their brand identity through the trademark process.”

Soon, her reputation grew quickly amongst groups of entrepreneurial women, and it has since remained so as she and her team exclusively serve female founders, and the vast majority are women of color.

“I cannot be happier. I get to serve women who are building legacy,” said Hornsby.