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  • Jun 07, 2019James Major to Speak on the Cannabis Goldrush and the IP Landgrab

    James R. Major, D.Phil., an Associate of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., will be a panelist for “The Cannabis Goldrush and the IP Landgrab” on Tuesday, June 25, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., at the New York City Bar Association.

    The recent push to legalize cannabis in New York has caused a rush to lay claim to invaluable intellectual property.  As the industry quickly evolves, there have been developments in legislation to protect financial institutions that service cannabis businesses, as well as patent infringement actions.  The panel will discuss the progression of the U.S. cannabis industry, its intellectual property assets, the current regulatory environment at the state and federal level, and the potential branding and trademark issues that cannabis businesses may face.  For more information and to register, please click here.

    Major dedicates his practice to U.S. and foreign patent and trademark matters. His doctorate in immunology and virology and over 10 years’ legal experience enables him to understand the patentability of new technologies, as well as the science and data required to secure and expand patent protection in light of new statutory subject matter requirements.  He has significant patent prosecution experience relating to small molecules, nucleic acids, proteins, antibodies, chemical processes, formulations, industrial processes, and methods of treatment.  He is highly experienced in rendering patentability, landscape, freedom-to-operate, and invalidity opinions particularly in the field of biologics.  Major can assist players in the emerging cannabis industry in the evaluation and securing of patents.  He also has patent and trademark litigation experience.

    Major received his J.D., magna cum laude, in 2011 from New York Law School, where he was on the Dean’s List and was a candidate for the Trustees’ Prize for the Highest Average in the Evening Division.  He was also Staff Editor of the New York Law School Law Review, a John Marshall Harlan Scholar, and a member of the Institute for Information Law and Policy.  He received a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Oxford in 2003, and a B.A. in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge in 1996.

    Posted in: Cannabis Law, Intellectual Property, James R. Major, News | Tags: , , , , , ,

  • May 23, 2019Norris McLaughlin Attorneys to Speak on Brewery and Distillery Law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey

    Theodore J. Zeller III, Danielle M. DeFilippis, Andrew D. Linden, and Matthew B. Andersen, attorneys of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., will present “Brewery and Distillery Law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey” at a training seminar hosted by the National Business Institute on Thursday, June 6, 9 a.m.– 4:30 p.m., at Homewood Suites by Hilton in Valley Forge.

    The speakers will present ways to help clients understand the complex world of alcohol manufacturing and distribution; minimize liability; and navigate the licensing, labeling and tax reporting challenges along the way. They will also discuss how to effectively protect client’s intellectual property, avoid legal landmines in advertising, and give valuable tips for negotiating distribution agreements. Topics include brewery and distillery business entity selection, formation, finance and insurance; licensing, labeling, and regulatory compliance; federal and state tax reporting requirements; negotiating/drafting brewery and distillery contracts; intellectual property and advertising; and ethics. For more information and to register, please click here.

    Zeller, a Member of the firm and Chair of its Liquor Law Practice Group, is experienced in liquor law, regulatory licensing, commercial transactions, real estate transactions, and litigation. He was lead counsel in a beer rights case brought against the world’s largest brewers and is General Counsel to Brewers of Pennsylvania.  Known throughout Pennsylvania, he also represents beer interests on a national level and advises breweries and wholesalers on state regulatory matters involving beer distribution and franchise laws. He regularly prepares distribution agreements for his clients, and coordinates state and federal licensing for manufacturing and national distribution. Zeller has tried multiple cases in county and federal court, including jury trials, and hundreds of cases before arbitration panels, district justices, and administrative law judges. He is General Counsel to D.G. Yuengling and Son, Inc.; represents alcohol interests in every category; and has helped numerous start-up breweries, wineries, distilleries, and retailers.  He currently serves as Chairman of the Allentown Parking Authority. Zeller is an author of the firm’s liquor law blog, Legal Liquor. He earned his J.D. from Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law, and his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.

    DeFilippis, a Member of the firm and Co-Chair of its Intellectual Property Law Practice Group, focuses her practice on intellectual property prosecution and litigation. She represents individual and corporate clients in all phases of litigation, from commencement through trial, and regularly serves as lead counsel in cases before federal and state courts, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and alternative resolution forums. She has represented clients in a variety of industries, most notably food and beverage, liquor, jewelry, and cosmetics. She has handled cases involving trademark and copyright infringement, false advertising, commercial disparagement, business torts, deceptive trade practices, Lanham Act claims, state and federal unfair competition laws, and other business disputes.  She is an author of the firm’s trademark, copyright, and unfair competition blog, More Than Your Ma®k.  DeFilippis received her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and her B.A. from The Pennsylvania State University.

    Linden, a Member of the firm and Co-Chair of its Cannabis Law Industry Group, counsels alcoholic beverage manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers in all facets of their business. These include licensing and regulatory compliance, business formation, and product labeling. He has assisted craft breweries and distilleries with applications before the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control and retailers with applications before the local municipality. Linden provides guidance with TTB federal permitting laws, advises clients on federal and state labeling requirements and approval processes, and helps them navigate state distribution and beer franchise laws. He assists marijuana entrepreneurs, suppliers, growers, retailers, and investors to navigate complex statutory and regulatory schemes, including those related to permitting and licensing, such as initial applications, transfers, expansions, changes in ownership, and related disclosures, distribution, and general business operations such as sales, storage of product, and recordkeeping. He assists clients in all tiers of the distribution chain with compliance and business law issues. He is an author for the firm’s liquor law blog, Legal Liquor, and cannabis law blog, Legally Grown. Linden attended Seton Hall University School of Law, where he received his J.D., cum laude.  He earned his B.S., with honors, from Lehigh University.

    Andersen, an Associate of the firm, concentrates his practice on liquor law and business law. In his liquor law practice, he works with breweries, distilleries, wineries, wholesalers, distributors, restaurants, and hotels on obtaining and transferring liquor licenses, complying with liquor regulations and laws, providing transactional counseling, and defending citations and protests before the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.  Andersen represents national restaurant chains and hospitality companies with regard to their Pennsylvania locations in all aspects of their liquor licenses and acquisitional counseling.  He also works with numerous alcohol manufacturers to bring their dreams and ideas of operating a brewery, distillery, or winery to a reality, advising them through the planning, licensing and operation stages.  Additionally, Andersen has worked with licensees, nonprofit organizations, and event planners on obtaining temporary alcohol permits for events. He also is experienced in drafting and negotiating distribution agreements between alcohol manufacturers and distributors in many states to help them expand the reach of their brands.  He also works with alcohol manufacturers on obtaining federal Certificate of Label Approvals and formula approval for their products.  Andersen is an author of the firm’s liquor law blog, Legal Liquor, and won a JD Supra “Reader’s Choice Award” in 2018 for his contributions. He is an assistant lacrosse coach at Northwestern Lehigh High School. He earned his J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law, and his B.A. from The Pennsylvania State University.

    Posted in: Andrew D. Linden, Business Law, Danielle M. DeFilippis, Food & Beverage Law, Intellectual Property, Liquor Law, Licensing, Manufacturing and Distribution, Matthew B. Andersen, News, Theodore J. Zeller III | Tags: , , , , , , , ,

  • May 14, 2019Norris McLaughlin Attorneys to Speak on Food and Beverage Law

    Danielle M. DeFilippis, Rashmee Rayna Sinha, Stephanie S. Spangler, and Michael J. Locke, of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., will present “Food Law 101,” a food and beverage panel discussion, for WeWork Food Labs. The event will take place on Thursday, May 16, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at WeWork 148 Lafayette Street in New York.

    The presentation will cover a variety of legal issues encountered by food and beverage startups. DeFilippis will discuss basic contract issues that arise between food and beverage companies and external and internal parties. Sinha will cover key labor and employment law issues and updates for startup companies in the food and beverage industry. Spangler will speak on intellectual property issues that food and beverage companies face in the operations of their company, and Locke will speak on corporate formation, governance, and equity issues that are commonly faced by startups and early-stage companies. WeWork Food Labs is a first-of-its-kind innovation space and global platform dedicated to startups impacting the future of sustainable food. For more information, please click here.

    DeFilippis, Co-Chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Law Group and founding member of the Food, Beverage & Hospitality Group, focuses her practice on intellectual property matters and litigation. She represents individual and corporate clients in all phases of litigation, from commencement through trial, and regularly serves as lead counsel in cases before federal and state courts, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and alternative resolution forums. She has represented clients in a variety of industries, most notably, food and beverage, liquor, jewelry, and cosmetics. She has handled cases involving trademark and copyright infringement, false advertising, commercial disparagement, business torts, deceptive trade practices, Lanham Act claims, state and federal unfair competition laws, and other business disputes.  She is an author for Norris McLaughlin’s trademark, copyright, and unfair competition blog, More Than Your Mark, www.morethanyourmark.com. DeFilippis received her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and her B.A. from The Pennsylvania State University.

    As a logical, strategic, and pro-active employment defense attorney, Sinha has a proven track record of extricating clients from suit in the early stages of litigation. She primarily handles claims under Employment Practices Liability Insurance, Directors and Officers and Errors and Omissions polices related to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, failure to accommodate, whistle-blower, and wrongful discharge on the basis of protected categories (i.e. age, sex, disability, race, gender, national origin, religion, pregnancy etc.).

    Sinha represents employers from industries including healthcare, construction, financial services, property management, insurance, technology, transportation, building services, hotel and hospitality, retail, manufacturing, power and energy, and pharmaceutical.

    Sinha is experienced in all areas of employment litigation in both federal and state courts. She has defended administrative proceedings and regulatory compliance investigations before numerous employment practice agencies including the EEOC, and the federal and state Department of Labor and the Department of Health. Sinha counsels employers on employment and compliance issues including employment policies, contracts, discipline, terminations, leaves of absence, accommodations, complaints, investigations, benefits, proprietary information, restrictive covenants, reorganizations, and executive compensation.

    Sinha is a member of the Labor of Employment Section of the American Bar Association and the New Jersey State Bar Association. She is also a member of the Legal Committee, Fairways Community Condominium, Teaneck, New Jersey, as well an active member of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society, the Commerce Industry Association of New Jersey, the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, and the Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce. Sinha earned her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, and her B.A. from Boston University.

    Spangler, Co-Chair of the firm’s Cannabis Law Group and a member of the Food, Beverage & Hospitality Group, focuses her practice on trademark and copyright litigation, prosecution and enforcement.  She appears in state and federal courts and before the USPTO’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in opposition and cancellation proceedings.  She counsels clients in industries including startups, technology, food and beverage, cannabis, and arts and entertainment.  She is a co-author for the firm’s trademark, copyright, and unfair competition law blog, More Than Your Ma®k, and the firm’s Cannabis Law Group blog, Legally Grown.

    Locke focuses on providing counsel to small businesses in all phases of their corporate existence, from formation through merger and acquisition. Locke also works closely with clients as they grow and expand their businesses, offering advice and legal guidance in connection with customer and supplier agreements, terms and conditions of use (for both physical and digital products), inter-business relationships (including joint ventures), export regulations, securities regulations, litigation support, and more.

    Locke is especially focused on working with businesses that seek to bridge the gap between commercial success and environmental or social responsibility. He has counseled clients in forming “benefit corporations” (also known as “B-corps”) and drafting corporate governing documents for those seeking to maximize profitability and have a positive effect on their communities while simultaneously minimizing their environmental impacts.

    Locke also has experience assisting larger corporations conduct cross-border transactions, including the international purchase and sale of goods as well as the international purchase and sale of assets and equity. Locke earned his J.D. in 2013, cum laude, from Brooklyn Law School, and his B.A. in 2010, magna cum laude, from Rutgers University.

    Posted in: Danielle M. DeFilippis, Food & Beverage Law, Intellectual Property, Michael J. Locke, News, Rashmee Rayna Sinha, Stephanie S. Spangler | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Apr 30, 2019Danielle DeFilippis Named Co-Chair of Norris McLaughlin IP Practice Group

    Danielle M. DeFilippis, a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., has been named Co-Chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group. She will serve with Bruce S. Londa, who has chaired the group for the past five years.

    “I am very grateful to have Danielle co-chair our Intellectual Property Group and extremely confident in her ability in moving the group forward to help us accomplish our goals. Having worked with Danielle for nearly ten years, I can attest that she has proved to be a great leader to our group. I am certain that her exceptional talents will be a great benefit to both the firm and our clients,” said Londa.

    “At Norris McLaughlin, I have been fortunate to benefit from the mentorship and guidance of consummate professionals that provide top tier legal services to our clients. I am honored to help impart that knowledge on the next generation of attorneys at Norris McLaughlin,” said DeFilippis.

    The Intellectual Property Practice Group at Norris McLaughlin provides sophisticated intellectual property counsel to domestic and international clients on patent, trademark and copyright matters. Several members of the group have a background in a broad range of engineering and sciences, including chemical, biochemical, biotechnology, electrical, mechanical, and computer software and hardware. They serve clients in manufacturing, marketing, and service industries, including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, electronics, telecommunications, consumer foods, computer hardware and software, Internet, medical devices, health care, and banking. Many members of the group are registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

    DeFilippis focuses her practice on intellectual property matters and litigation. She represents individual and corporate clients in all phases of litigation, from commencement through trial, and regularly serves as lead counsel in cases before federal and state courts, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and alternative resolution forums. DeFilippis has handled cases involving trademark and copyright infringement, false advertising, commercial disparagement, business torts, deceptive trade practices, Lanham Act claims, state and federal unfair competition laws, and other business disputes. She is an author for Norris McLaughlin’s trademark, copyright, and unfair competition blog, More Than Your Mark. DeFilippis received her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and her B.A. from The Pennsylvania State University.

    Posted in: Bruce S. Londa, Danielle M. DeFilippis, Intellectual Property, News | Tags: , , , , ,

  • Apr 15, 2019Danielle DeFilippis and Dan Guadalupe to Present at Launch Pad Newark

    Danielle M. DeFilippis and Daniel R. Guadalupe, Members of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., will present “Must-Know Legal Basics to Protect Your Business” on Thursday, April 18, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., at Launch Pad Newark.

    The presentation, sponsored by Makerhoods and The Honors Program, will cover how having a strong legal foundation gives you the peace of mind to go after your business goals with confidence. Topics will include branding, essential initial contracts, and intellectual property, such as trademarks and copyrights. A Q&A session, led by Peter Hader, will include questions submitted through tweeting @makerhoods. Attendees will also have the opportunity to give a 30-second presentation to promote their project or business and seek advice and networking from peers. For more information and to register, please click here.

    DeFilippis focuses her practice on intellectual property matters and litigation. She represents individual and corporate clients in all phases of litigation, from commencement through trial, and regularly serves as lead counsel in cases before federal and state courts, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and alternative resolution forums. She has represented clients in a variety of industries, most notably, food and beverage, liquor, jewelry, and cosmetics. She has handled cases involving trademark and copyright infringement, false advertising, commercial disparagement, business torts, deceptive trade practices, Lanham Act claims, state and federal unfair competition laws, and other business disputes.  She is an author for Norris McLaughlin’s trademark, copyright, and unfair competition blog, More Than Your Mark, www.morethanyourmark.com.

    Guadalupe represents clients in commercial litigation and provides “outside” general counsel assistance with a specialty in business disputes, medical device companies, construction, professional liability defense, arbitrations, will and trust litigation, and international disputes. He is on the exclusive roster of construction arbitrators of the American Arbitration Association and is an arbitrator for the International Court of Arbitration, International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, France. He also served on the Supreme Court of New Jersey Disciplinary Oversight Committee and Lawyers Advisory Committee to the Federal Courts and was a member of the Merit Selection Panel for Selection of U.S. Magistrates, the Local Federal Rules Revision Committee, and the District XIII Ethics Committee for the Office of Attorney Ethics. He is a former President of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey and a former General Counsel for the Hispanic National Bar Association. He was also on the Board of Trustees of CentraState Hospital in Freehold, New Jersey, for 4 years.

    Posted in: Daniel R. Guadalupe, Danielle M. DeFilippis, Intellectual Property, Litigation, News | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

  • Apr 12, 2019Food Business Basics

    Danielle M. DeFilippis, a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., will present “Food Business Basics” hosted by the Rutgers Food Innovation Center.  If you are thinking of starting a food business, then this seminar is a must!  As a unique opportunity for food entrepreneurs to learn critical aspects of entering the prepared food business industry, discussion topics include:

    • How the Food Innovation Center can help you grow your business
    • Food Entrepreneurship – is it right for you?
    • Trends in the Marketplace
    • Business Planning
    • Food IP and Trademark
    • Merchandising for Success
    • Packaging
    • Food Technology Toolbox and Product Development
    • Food Safety and Regulations

    When: Thursday, April 18, 2019, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

    Where: Rutgers Food Innovation Center, 450 E. Broad St., Bridgeton, NJ 08302

    Attendees will have the opportunity for Q&A and networking with fellow attendees and presenters. For more information and to register, please click here or contact Diane Holtaway, Associate Director of Client Services at the Rutgers Food Innovation Center, by email at , or by phone at 856-459-1900 ext. 4514.

    Posted in: Danielle M. DeFilippis, Events, Food & Beverage Law, Intellectual Property | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Apr 08, 2019Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Named New York Metro Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

    Jeanne M. Hamburg, a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., and Chair of the firm’s Internet Law Group, and Stephanie S. Spangler, an Associate of the firm and co-chair of its Cannabis Law Group, have been included in the 2019 New York Metro Super Lawyers Women’s Edition. Each year since 2009, Hamburg has been recognized for her work in Intellectual Property. Spangler was named for the first time as a Rising Star for Intellectual Property. Only five percent of New York lawyers are given the honor of being included.

    New York Metro Super Lawyers Women’s Edition is a listing of outstanding female lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.  The multi-phased selection process includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. The edition, which features the list and profiles of selected attorneys, is published as a supplement in The New York Times.

    A resident of New York, Hamburg is expert in all aspects of copyright and trademark law, both in litigation and in the transactional area, assisting clients in a broad range of industries with their IP needs.

    Hamburg has litigated in federal courts across the country, acting as national counsel to bring and defend infringement claims for clients both foreign and domestic.  Hamburg has recovered domain names for clients in many Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Proceedings, and prosecuted and defended numerous opposition and cancellation proceedings and ex parte appeals before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

    Hamburg is experienced in trademark and copyright licensing, traditional print and online publishing, software development, web site development, content licenses, and electronic subscriptions.  She is expert in copyright and trademark clearance, prosecution and enforcement, and issues arising from the Internet.

    Hamburg frequently speaks and writes about intellectual property topics and is active in many trade groups in industries whose clients she serves.  She is a member of the International Trademark Association (INTA), currently serving on its Government Officials Training Committee.  Formerly, she was Chair of INTA’s Law Firm Committee, served on its Copyright Committee, and was a speaker for its Trademark Basics “Maintaining the Perfect Partnership” seminar held in New York for in-house and outside counsel.

    Hamburg attended Wellesley College, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and received her B.A., magna cum laude, in English and Psychology, with Honors in English, in 1987.  In 1990, she received her J.D. at Columbia University School of Law, where she was editor of the Columbia Law Review.

    Spangler focuses her practice on trademark and copyright litigation, prosecution and enforcement.  She appears in state and federal courts and before the USPTO’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.  She counsels clients in industries including startups, technology, cannabis, food and beverage, and arts and entertainment.  She is a co-author for the firm’s trademark, copyright, and unfair competition law blog, More Than Your Ma®k, and the firm’s Cannabis Law Group blog, Legally Grown.

    Spangler earned her B.A. in International Studies from Emory University in 2005, and her J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law with a concentration in Intellectual Property and Communications Law in 2010.  During law school, she was an Articles Editor for Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal.  She is the former Development Chair of Cardozo’s Black, Asian, and Latino Law Students Association Alumni Group, and is part of its mentoring program for 1L law students.

    Posted in: Intellectual Property, Jeanne Hamburg, News, Stephanie S. Spangler, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , ,

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