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also known as Ronald D. Coleman, Ron Coleman
I am a commercial litigator specializing in federal litigation, including trials. I work extensively with online businesses, specifically in connection with the use of intellectual property on the Internet in both litigation and non-litigation roles. My firm is also recognized for its strength in business, healthcare and real estate law. I am known for my work as the lead attorney for Simon Tam in the U.S. Supreme Court case Matal v. Tam, which held that the disparagement clause of the trademark statute violated the First Amendment's free speech clause.
I have successfully represented clients of every size in state and federal courts, arbitrations and mediations in a variety of litigation matters, including contract disputes, distributorship litigation, trademark and unfair competition cases, business tort claims, toxic tort and insurance coverage litigation, discrimination and wrongful discharge cases, copyright infringement claims, and cases involving trade secrets, restrictive covenants and real estate. My litigation experience runs from pretrial investigation and early dispute resolution through every aspect of bench and jury trials as well as appeals.
My blog about copyright, trademark and related issues, LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION®, was recognized by the ABA Journal as one of the top 100 law-related blogs in the country in its first-ever listing in 2007.
5
Practice Areas
37 years
37 years
27 years
Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
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Chat withState: New York
Acquired: 1989
No misconduct found
State: New Jersey
Acquired: 1989
No misconduct found
50 Park Place, Suite 1105, Newark, NJ, 07102
256 5th Ave., 4th Floor, New York, NY, 10001
Showing 1 - 5 of 10 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Marco | January 26, 2021 | Hired Attorney
I was represented by him in a trademark case for a few months. He did nothing even when important dead-lines approached. He also rushed me to hire me another Las Vegas attorney to do the job that he clearly didn't like to do. Finally, I had no choice but releasing him, but he kept most of my $ 10,...
This client hired me twice and on the same case and was angry when I refused to agree to be engaged a third time. The Las Vegas attorney he refers to is an Italian speaking trademark attorney, which was required for taking depositions in Italy relating to the case; it is true that as much as I would have liked to travel to Italy, "I did not want to do" something -- take a deposition through a translator -- that an Italian speaking US attorney could do better. I would have made a lot more in fees if I had done it myself. The client walked away the second time because he refused to pay for the lawyer I recommended for this part of the representation. This all took place many years ago, but "Marco" is still scouring the Internet looking for ways to "stay in touch" with me.
Posted by anonymous | April 25, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Have used Ron multiple times in the past for consultation on copyright issues. Always timely and sage advice. And hell of a great guy as well.
Posted by anonymous | April 7, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Ronald D. Coleman, of N.J. and N.Y., failed to pursue my claims with due diligence and failed to act in my best interest and according to my goals and the terms of our agreement. In a November 2015 meeting, I repeatedly made clear that I did NOT want to litigate my claims and he agreed. He stated tha...
I am sorry the reviewer feels this way, but disagree with her characterization of the facts recited in her review and her guess concerning my supposed "intention," which is most certainly not accurate. Because of this reviewer's entitlement to confidentiality it would be inappropriate to say any more here.
Posted by Simon | April 6, 2015
I've been working with Ron for a well-known case for many years now and found him to be exceptionally perceptive, intuitive, and sharp in helping determine the legal course to take. He knows what he's talking about, and he has a sense of humor as well. My case has been ongoing for over six years ...
Posted by Sandy | April 1, 2015
If you want your opponent’s heart to hit their stomach when they research your counsel, hire Ron. This is exactly what I was told by a team member of the “other side” after she came to work for us following our Ron-at-the-helm victory. When Ron took our case, I felt confident after doing my own resea...
"Mr. Coleman is an experienced, knowledgeable attorney who will fight for his clients all the way up to the Supreme Court. I have been exchanging opinions about intellectual property law with him for years and consider him a leader in the field. I would not hesitate to recommend him for litigation or other legal matters."
"Mr. Coleman gets a strong endorsement. He's the best! He's tops in the field of intellectual property, and his blog, "Likelihood of Confusion" is widely read and respected."
"Ron is an expert on trademark, copyright, trade secret, Internet and electronic commerce law; a zealous advocate and fierce litigator on behalf of his clients; an award-winning legal journalist/author; and an awesome blogger."
"Ron has a high rating on Avvo for good reason. He is simply "the" go-to lawyer for business, corporate and intellectual property issues."
Intellectual property lawyer
Litigation lawyer
2019
WTR 1000, "World's Leading Trademark Professionals", World Trademark Review
2018
Top Attorney - Internet Law, SJ Magazine
2018
Global Intellectual Property Leader, World IP Review
2018
Super Lawyer - Intellectual Property Litigation, New York City, Super Lawyers
2018
WTR 1000, "World's Leading Trademark Professionals", World Trademark Review
2018
Mark T. Banner Award for Impact on IP Law, American Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section
2017
Global Intellectual Property Leader, World IP Review
2017
WTR 1000, "World's Leading Trademark Professionals", World Trademark Review
2017
Top Attorney - Internet Law, South Jersey Magazine
2017
Super Lawyer - Intellectual Property Litigation, New York City, Super Lawyers
2017
Distinguished Leaders Award, New Jersey Law Journal
2016
Super Lawyer - Intellectual Property Litigation, New York City, Super Lawyers
2016
Top Attorney - Internet Law, South Jersey Magazine
2016
The World's Leading Trademark Professionals (WTR 1000), World Trademark Review
2015
Super Lawyer - Intellectual Property Litigation, New York City, Super Lawyers
2014
Super Lawyer - Intellectual Property Litigation, New York City, Super Lawyers
2013
Super Lawyer - Intellectual Property Litigation, New York City, Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer - Intellectual Property Litigation, New York City, SuperLawyers
2006
Who's Who in America, Marquis Who's Who
1999
Rated "AV', Martindale-Hubbell
1998
Who's Who in American Law, Marquis Who's Who
2020 - Present
Partner, Dhillon Law Group
2017 - 2020
Partner, Mandelbaum Salsburg PC
2015 - 2017
Partner, Archer Law
2008 - 2015
Partner, Goetz Fitzpatrick LLP
2007 - 2008
Partner, Hoffman Polland & Furman, PLLC
2006 - 2007
Partner, Bragar Wexler & Eagel, PC
2003 - 2006
Partner, Coleman Law Firm, a Professional Corporation
2000 - 2003
Partner, Gibney, Anthony & Flaherty, LLP
1996 - 2000
Associate, Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch, LLP
1992 - 1994
Associate, Lowenstein, Sandler, Kohl, Fisher & Boylan, a Professional Corporation
1990 - 1992
Associate, Kaye, Scholer, Fierman, Hays & Handler
2017 - Present
New York Intellectual Property Law AssociationMember, Trademark Law & Practice Committee
2017 - Present
New York Intellectual Property Law AssociationMember, Program Committee
2014 - Present
American Intellectual Property Law AssociationMember
2012 - Present
New York State Bar AssociationIntellectual Property Section Member
2011 - Present
Copyright Society of the USAMember
2017 - 2020
New York City Bar AssociationMember, Trademarks & Unfair Competition Committee
2016 - 2017
International Trademark Association, Internet CommitteeMember, IANA Transition and Accountability Subcommittee
2014 - 2015
Federal Bar Association chapter (City)SDNY Chapter
2009 - 2012
New York City Bar AssociationMember, Trademarks and Unfair Competition Committee
2005 - 2007
International Trademark AssociationMember, Internet Committee; Online Trademark Use Subcommittee
2003 - 2006
New Jersey State Bar AssociationMember, Internet and Computer Law Committee
2001 - 2003
International Anti-Counterfeiting CoalitionMember, Internet Legislation Taskforce
2000 - 2003
Association of the Bar of the City of New YorkMember, Trademarks and Unfair Competition Committee
2000 - 2002
International Anti-Counterfeiting CoalitionTask Force Head, Legislation Committee
1998 - 2006
Federalist SocietyVice-Chairman, Religious LIberties Practice Group
Adversaries' motion to dismiss denied
Order vacated and remanded
Adversary's motion denied
Adversary's motion denied.
Case voluntarily dismissed by adversary.
Successful outcome below affirmed
Obtained preliminary injunction
Dismissed remaining claim against our client, blogger Patrick Frey
Affirming the en banc ruling of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit that the disparagement clause of the Lanham Act violates the First Amendment's free speech clause.
Summary judgment on genericness issue denied
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit overturned decision of Trademark Trial and Appeals Board, invalidated part of the statute
Case dismissed in favor of client.
Affirmed District Court
Pending.
Successfully dismissed all but one of over a dozen claims brought against four defendants
Successfully opposed a motion that is almost always granted -- leave to amend a complaint -- due to plaintiff's abusive conduct.
The NY Supreme Court, Appellate Division, affirmed the trial court's denial of the petition.
The case was settled on very reasonable, confidential terms.
Answer and counterclaims (no motion to dismiss) filed
Pending appeal in the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Successfully moved to have the case, brought by a NJ company against a Virginia PAC and an Alaska citizen, transferred out of NYC -- the location only of the plaintiff's law firm
Following our successful defense of opposer's summary judgment motion, the opposition was withdrawn and the mark was ultimately allowed registration.
The court dismissed the majority of the counterclaims against our client. The case settled.
Case was settled
Adversary's motion denied
Dismissed pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6)
Successful defense against motion for preliminary injunction
The TRO and injunction were denied and the plaintiff ultimately abandoned his claims.
Settled.
Temporary restraining order granted; settled
Dismissed on motion at jury trial; subsequently remanded, settled
Partial SJ for S&L; verdict vacated; consent inj.
Most claims dismissed; injunction; no dams or fees
Rolex awarded over $1 million
Judgment for statutory damage and attys fees
Right of publicity - recall and statutory damages
Cash payout to defendant after mixed SJ opinion
Overcame motion for summary judgment
Settled.
Statutory damages of $1M for TM counterfeiting
A satisfactory settlement was reached.
Plaintiff granted preliminary injunction; settlement reached
Summary judgment and permanent injunction awarded
Dismissal of failure to warn products claim aff'd
Dismissed based on outcome in another case; appeal pending
Most defendants settled without defending.
Plaintiff dismissed own case when faced with our defense
Satisfactory settlement achieved
Complaint dismissed per FRCP 12(b)(6)
1988
JD - Juris Doctor
1985
AB
2019
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2019
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2018
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2016
On the (Un)Constitutionality of Section 2(a) of the Lanham Act
2016
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2011
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Jewish law issues in legal practice
2006
Legal research on the Internet for non-lawyers
2005
Advanced trademark law
2004
Issues in Trademark Dilution
2003
Electronic discovery
2003
Managing Risks and Costs of Acquiring IT Solutions
2002
2002
IP issues in branding
2002
Trademark counterfeiting
2002
Legislation / lobbying report to members
2001
Protecting Intellectual Property Rights Where Wireless is Ubiquitous
2000
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Hebrew
Spanish
Yiddish
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