January 2, 2018 - ROSELAND, N.J. -- Mandelbaum Salsburg P.C. is pleased to announce that Ronald D. Coleman, a preeminent intellectual property and appellate lawyer, has joined the Firm as a partner in its Roseland, New Jersey office. Mr. Coleman, who will Chair the Firm’s Intellectual Property & Brand Management Group, was formerly a partner at Archer Greiner, P.C. He is joining Mandelbaum with his longtime friend and colleague Joel G. MacMull who is also a partner.
“Ron Coleman is a highly respected IP attorney with a national following who litigates IP issues throughout the United States. Ron and Joel’s skills and experience coupled with Mandelbaum’s platform will be a very powerful combination for our clients,” said William S. Barrett, CEO of Mandelbaum Salsburg P.C. Barry Mandelbaum, Founder and Chairman of the Firm, added that “this is the latest addition to the Firm’s growing attorney bench and one that strengthens both the Firm’s regional and national presence.”
Ronald Coleman is well known in the litigation and intellectual property world being the author of one of the most influential blogs in IP law, Likelihood of Confusion (www.likelihoodofconfusion.com) and for his involvement in numerous cases that have influenced the course of trademark law and influence the shape of the Internet business landscape. Recently named a 2017 Global Intellectual Property Leader by World IP Review, Mr. Coleman, who is AV-rated by Martindale, has also been named as a World Trademark Review “WTR 1000 Top Practitioner” for trademark litigation in New York City the last two years, and a “Super Lawyer” for intellectual property litigation in New York City every year since 2012. An experienced first-chair litigator and appellate advocate, he has also been recognized for his pioneering use of social media in tandem with his practice. Ron has tried numerous cases to verdicts in jury and bench trials in the state and federal courts in the state and federal courts in New Jersey and New York, as well as in federal courts throughout the U.S. He has appeals before the U.S. Courts of Appeal in the Second, Third, Ninth and Federal Circuits, Trademark Trial and Appeals Board of the Patent and Trademark Office and the appellate divisions in both New York and New Jersey. Ron led the effort, from proceedings in the USPTO through oral argument before the Federal Circuit, to register THE SLANTS as a trademark on behalf of Asian American band leader Simon Tam. In June 2017 the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Mr. Tam’s favor, finding viewpoint-based restrictions on trademark registration unconstitutional under the First Amendment.
Joel MacMull, who was also heavily involved in the landmark Tam case, focuses his practice on high-stakes complex commercial litigation and intellectual property disputes, including copyright and trademark infringement, trade secret misappropriation, false advertising, “cybersquatting,” rights of publicity, as well as general contract and business tort disputes. Joel has tried and argued cases in state and federal courts, as well as before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Joel also has significant appellate experience. He has represented such clients as America Online, Inc., The Princeton Club of New York, PlentyofFish.com and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is a frequent speaker on a variety of intellectual property topics and has appeared on Bloomberg Radio. He was the recipient of the International Trademark Association’s 2017 Volunteer Service Award for Pro Bono Services.
Michael Saffer, Co-Chair of the Firm’s Litigation Practice Group said, “Ron and Joel make us even stronger in our ability to assist clients throughout all phases of enterprise-level challenges and opportunities, from pre-litigation counseling to the U.S. Supreme Court.” “The recent accomplishments of Ron and Joel, in particular their recent 8-0 victory in Matal v. Tam before the United States Supreme Court last term is true testament to their skills, added Arthur Grossman, Litigation Practice Co-Chair.
“I can hardly express how pleased I am to be at Mandelbaum,” said Mr. Coleman. “The firm is growing in exciting ways, I am with numerous old friends and former colleagues and believe it is a great match for the practice Joel and I have been building over the last decade.” Mr. MacMull added: “This is a natural combination of strengths. Mandelbaum’s full-service capabilities, coupled with our intellectual property and appellate experience makes this a perfect fit.”
Since its founding in 1930, Mandelbaum Salsburg has been "built on relationships and focused on results." The firm and its 70 attorneys are committed to providing clients with the highest level of personal, hands-on attention to their legal needs. Recognized as one of the metropolitan area's premiere full-service law firms, the Firm's attorneys represent clients in all aspects of mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions; business litigation and employment litigation defense; corporate and banking transactions; corporate and personal taxation; healthcare and life sciences; alternative dispute resolution; intellectual property; privacy and cybersecurity; employment; environmental; criminal defense; not-for-profits; and personal matters, including estate planning and administration, asset protection planning, elder care; matrimonial, family law, and personal injury litigation. The Firm has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a "Best Law Firm" for the eighth year in a row and a number of attorneys are listed in both Best Lawyers in America© and New Jersey Super Lawyers©.*