Online legal services part of changing landscape
Online legal services are not going away, so traditional attorneys need to adapt to the changing marketplace, according to panelists at a San Diego Law Library event last month.
Education
Law School/Year: University of San Diego School of Law,1987
College/Year: Knox College,1984
Bar Admissions
California; New Mexico (Inactive); Hawaii, pro hac vice; Arizona, pro hac vice; U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Arizona, pro hac vice; U.S. District Court of Arizona, pro hac vice; U.S. District Court of California, Southern, Central, Eastern and Northern Districts; U.S. District Court of Missouri, pro hac vice; U.S. District Court of New Mexico; U.S. District Court of Nevada, pro hac vice; U.S. District Court of New York (Eastern District), pro hac vice; Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
Practice Areas
Business Litigation; Patent, Trademark & Copyright Litigation; Insurance Litigation; Real Estate Litigation; Employment and Labor Litigation
Major Cases
Presently, I am involved in three high profile trademark disputes. One is against Google to cancel its trademark due to its generic use (“google it”); the other is a trademark infringement claim on behalf of The (Johnnie) Cochran Law Firm for the illegal use of the firm’s trademarked name; and the other is the defense of an USPTO approved trademark for Yamaha Air. In the recent past I litigated a breach contract claim against a Boeing Aeronautics Subdivision, a trademark infringement case against Gracie Jiu Jitsu, an ERISA Pension Claim against Solar Turbines, a misappropriation of an alleged trade secret customer list from an accounting firm and boundary disputes concerning the construction of State Route 56 and related properties.
Professional Background
I have been extremely blessed to have been mentored by some of the best business and trial lawyers in San Diego, including Brian Dunn, Anthony Ditty, Jerry Coughlin, Mike Lipman, Bob Semmer, and Hon. Joel Pressman. They not only taught me the mechanics of lawyering, but also the business of law. However, it was not until I worked with the Michael Aguirre that I realized the special rewards of lawyering. In addition to slaying big corporate dragons in securities fraud class actions, I was fortunate enough to work with Mike in Yuma, Ariz., defending Cesar Chavez’s UFW against illegal boycott allegations by Bruce Church, Inc., which saved the UFW. In 1995, I started my own firm. My current practice focuses on business litigation in intellectual property, competitive business practices, real estate and employment law on behalf of businesses, owners, and employees. This year, I was also named one of San Diego’s Super Lawyers.
Professional Affiliations
Staying involved in the community is a priority for me. I am a member of both the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the San Diego County Bar Association, where I was the immediate past co-chair of the Employment Section. I currently volunteer as pro tem judge Department 8 of the North County San Diego Superior Court as well as volunteer as a mediator for California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing employment disputes. As an alumnus of USD’s School of Law, I regularly sponsor law clerk externs and often sponsor college student interns. I have also co-hosted a real estate radio show and have provided legal opinions for Fox News.
Personal Background
I grew up in Chicago and have fond memories of great architecture, icy cold winters, hardworking families with a spirit of indefatigable persistence, and ‘da Bears, Bulls, and Cubbies. I met my wife in college and we moved to California. We have enjoyed living in both Los Angeles and San Diego, but call San Diego home with our two great boys (ages 10 and 14), who keep us active with their youth sports, violin concerts, and academic pursuits. When there’s time, we enjoy family adventures exploring new places and learning as much history as we can find out.
Online legal services are not going away, so traditional attorneys need to adapt to the changing marketplace, according to panelists at a San Diego Law Library event last month.
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