Trial attorney w/ focus on business, commercial, bankruptcy & intellectual property litigation.
Jan Berlage’s practice focuses on general business litigation, ranging from commercial disputes to bankruptcy (www.MarylandBankruptcyCounsel.com) to intellectual property (www.MarylandIPCounsel.com). Jan has extensive experience in trials, arbitrations, mediations, and administrative hearings, including arguments before the Maryland Court of Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. He has secured major jury verdicts and large settlements for both businesses and individuals, including most recently a $1.6 million and a $900,000.00 compensatory damage awards for copyright clients and a nearly $1 million settlement for a surviving heir in a wrongful death lawsuit. He has also successfully defended against multimillion dollar claims in both state and federal court.
Prior to private practice, Jan served as law clerk to the Honorable E. Stephen Derby, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland. He has taught pretrial litigation practice at the University of Maryland School of law, served on the Board of Governors for the Maryland State Bar Association and the United States Commission on Civil Rights, Maryland State Action Committee, and is a co-author of the book, Maryland Equine Law: A Legal Guide to Horse Ownership and Activities (www.marylandhorselaw.com). He is a fellow of both the American and the Maryland State Bar Foundations, presents regularly at CLE courses, and has chaired numerous committees at both the national and state level. Based on his experience and client reviews, AVVO ranks Jan as “Superb” with a perfect 10 rating, and is a business litigation Super Lawyer.
Mr. Berlage along with his partners were the 2013, 2014 and 2015 Editor’s Choice recipients of Corporate INTL’s Commercial Dispute Resolution Law Firm of the Year Award in Maryland, and its IP Law Firm of the Year and Bankruptcy Law Firm of the Year for 2014 and 2015.
Some of Jan’s representative matters are
Some of Jan’s representative speaking engagements are:
Practice areas
Jan Berlage regularly represents consumer as well as business debtors. He also frequently lectures on consumer bankruptcy and collection issues.
27 years, 1,000 cases
Jan Berlage assists clients in assessing, defending, and protecting their copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and patents.
27 years, 400 cases
Jan Berlage primarily handles complex litigation from bankruptcy to commercial disputes to civil rights violations to intellectual property disputes
27 years, 800 cases
Jan Berlage has argued before the Maryland Court of Appeals, Maryland Court of Special Appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. He is also a member of the United States Supreme Court's bar.
27 years, 400 cases
Jan Berlage handles copyright litigation for both plaintiffs and defendants, and has scored two major jury verdicts for photographers as well as successfully argued before the United States Court for Appeals for the Third Circuit on such matters.
27 years, 200 cases
Jan Berlage is experienced with the complexities of business litigation, specifically with regard to intellectual property and copyrights, contract agreements. He also handles bankruptcy and debt matters on behalf of his business clients.
27 years
Languages spoken
English
201 North Charles Street
Suite 2101
Baltimore, MD, 21201
111 Cathedral Street
Suite 301
Annapolis, MD, 21401
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
PA | Active | 2016 | 03/15/2022 |
DC | Good Standing | 2002 | 03/16/2021 |
MD | Active | 2002 | 03/30/2022 |
NY | Currently registered | 1996 | 02/24/2022 |
CT | Active | 1995 | 05/16/2022 |
Legal answers | 26 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Business Litigation Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2018 |
Fellow | Litigation Counsel of America | 2018 |
Business Litigation Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2017 |
Business Litigation Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2016 |
Business Litigation Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2015 |
Top Ten Bankruptcy Attorneys in Maryland | National Academy For Bankruptcy Attorneys | 2014 |
Recipient | Who's Who in America | 2013 |
Recipient | Who's Who In American Law | 2013 |
Recipient | Who's Who in the World | 2013 |
Maryland State Service Award | State of Maryland, MDDF | 2012 |
The Maryland Defense Force Achievement Ribbon | State of Maryland, MDDF | 2012 |
Committee Chair of the Year | Maryland State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section | 2005 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Gohn Hankey & Berlage LLP | 2018 - Present |
Corporate Secretary & General Counsel | IMAXX International | 2016 - Present |
Co-owner | Maryland Equine Law, LLC | 2011 - Present |
Partner | Gohn, Hankey & Stichel, LLP | 2006 - 2014 |
Partner | Gohn Hankey Stichel & Berlage LLP | 2006 - 2017 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Litigation Counsel of America | Fellow | 2018 - Present |
American Bar Foundation | Life Fellow | 2015 - Present |
Maryland State Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section | Executive Council | 2014 - Present |
AIMS -- American Initiatives for Military Support | Advisory Council | 2014 - Present |
Maryland Bar Foundation | Life Fellow | 2006 - Present |
Maryland State Bar Association, Agricultural Law Committee | Chair | 2017 - 2018 |
Maryland State Bar Association, Agricultural Law Section | Chair Elect | 2016 - 2017 |
Maryland State Bar Association, Agricultural Law Section | Secretary | 2015 - 2016 |
Maryland State Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section | Secretary | 2014 - 2015 |
Green Spring Internal Medicine | Board of Advisors | 2012 - 2016 |
United States Commission on Civil Rights | Member, Maryland State Advisory Committee | 2011 - 2013 |
Maryland State Bar Association, Animal Law Section | Chair | 2010 - 2011 |
American Bar Foundation | Fellow | 2007 - 2015 |
Graham Equestrian Center | Advisory Board | 2007 - 2018 |
Maryland Defense Force | Lt. Colonel | 2006 - 2016 |
Maryland State Bar Association | Board of Governors | 2005 - 2007 |
Heroes Helping Heroes | General Counsel, Secretary, Board member | 2004 - 2015 |
Avon Congregational Church | Deacon | 1998 - 2001 |
Avon Zoning Board of Appeals | Judge | 1998 - 2001 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Book | Maryland Equine Law: A Legal Guide to Horse Ownership & | 2011 |
William Mitchell Law Review | A Clear Message Regarding Service of Process on Joint Ventures & Joint Enterprises -- Ryan Contracting, Inc. v. JAG Investments & Mellett v. Fairview Health Services | 2002 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Virginia School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1995 |
Wesleyan University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1992 |
St. Catherine's College, Oxford University | Post-graduate studies | 1992 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Voire Dire Questions and Effective Use of Challenges | Voire Dire Questions and Effective Use of Challenges | 2018 |
Top Trial Strategies the Pros Use to Win Their Cases | Voir Dire and Jury Selection Strategies; Opening Statements and Direct Examinations | 2018 |
The Ultimate Guide to Police Liability Claims | Jury Selection -- Drawing Out Bias For or Against Police | 2018 |
Getting Emails, Texts and Social Media Posts Admitted: Advanced Evidence How-to's | Getting Emails, Texts and Social Media Posts Admitted: Advanced Evidence How-to's | 2018 |
DDA | From Stem Cells to Garden Plants: Registering and Protecting Your Photographs Through Copyright Law | 2018 |
Applying the Rules of Evidence: What Every Attorney Needs to Know | Determining Admissibility & Authentication of Social Media and Email Evidence | 2018 |
ACC | From Stem Cells to Garden Variety Plants: Registering and Protecting Your Photographs Through Copyright Law | 2018 |
Negotiating Indemnification, Reps, Warranties and More in Business Contracts | Negotiating Indemnification, Reps, Warranties and More in Business Contracts | 2017 |
Police Liability Claims From Start to Finish | Ethical Considerations in Police Liability Cases | 2016 |
PATH International Region 2 Conference | Best Practices for Equine Law Related Activities | 2016 |
Maryland State Bar Association Annual Meeting | KEEPING THE FARM: ISSUES RELATED TO DIVORCE, BANKRUPTCY, AND OTHER ISSUES | 2016 |
Hearsay, Email, Business Records and Social Media -- in the Trenches | Top Hearsay Pitfalls Made by Trial Attorneys | 2016 |
Forensic Valuation Mock Trial | Forensic Valuation Mock Trial | 2016 |
Advanced Collection Law | Advanced Collection Law Challenges and Recovery Techniques | 2016 |
Dirty Litigation Tactics: How to Deal with the "Rambo" Litigator | Dirty Litigation Tactics: How to Deal with the "Rambo" Litigator | 2015 |
Bankruptcy Bar Association: Spring Break | Individual Chapter 11 Plan Confirmations | 2015 |
Third Maryland Horse Forum | Maryland Equine Law and Access to Public Lands and Riding | 2014 |
S.I.G.M.A. Exchange, Finance, Credit and Collection Share Group Meeting | What Every Businessperson should Know About Bankruptcy | 2014 |
Maryland Foreclosures and Workouts | Workouts - The Various Tools in the Toolbox for Working Out Troubled Real Estate Loans | 2014 |
2014 Guide to Collection Law | Successfully Locating Assets | 2014 |
2014 Guide to Collection Law | Staying in Compliance With the FDCPA and Avoiding Pitfalls | 2014 |
2014 Animal Law Symposium | Keeping Your Farm Safe: How Contract Law, Tort Liability and Financial Restructuring Impact the Horse Industry and Animal Law In General | 2014 |
Real Estate Foreclosure: A Step-by-Step Workshop | How Bankruptcy Changes the Landscape | 2013 |
Chapter 7 and 13 Bankruptcy: Line-by-Line Workshop | Consumer Bankruptcy Fundamentals | 2013 |
Nuts and Bolts of Collection Law | How to Find Debtors and Their Assets | 2012 |
Advanced Collection Strategies | Pre-Suit Collection Strategies | 2012 |
Nuts and Bolts of Bankruptcy Law | Nuts and Bolts of Bankruptcy Law | 2011 |
Maryland Million Day at the Laurel Race Track, Laurel, MD | Maryland Horse Law | 2011 |
Day of the Horse | Maryland Horse Law | 2011 |
Consumer Bankruptcy: Chapters 7 and 13 | Consumer Bankruptcy | 2011 |
Central Maryland Saddle Club July Membership Meeting | Maryland Horse Law | 2011 |
Business Contracts A to Z | Preparing Contracts with an Eye Towards Litigation | 2011 |
Bankruptcy Litigation 101 | Bankruptcy Litigation | 2011 |
Consumer Bankruptcy: The Basics of Chapters 7 and 13 | Consumer Bankruptcy: The Basics of Chapters 7 and 13 | 2010 |
Consumer Bankruptcy | Consumer Bankruptcy | 2010 |
Collection Law from Start to Finish | Creditor Rights | 2010 |
Consumer Bankruptcy in Maryland | Chapter 7 | 2009 |
Advanced Collection Strategies | FDCPA | 2009 |
Contract Practice for Maryland Paralegals | Drafting Contracts with an Eye Towards Litigation | 2007 |
Understanding Federal Courts and Procedures | Federal Civil Procedure | 2006 |
Multi-jurisdiction Practice: What Every Lawyer Needs to Know | Multi-jurisdiction Practice | 2006 |
Taking the High Ground: Ethical Traps for Young Lawyers and How to Avoid Them | Professional Ethics | 2005 |
Bankruptcy in Maryland | Preferences and fraudulent conveyances | 2004 |
Maryland Horse Expo | Horses and Legal Issues: Q&A | N/A |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
SHETH, et al. v. Horn, et al. | Defendant's jury verdict on $6 million claim (including punitive damages) and successful jury verdict on counterclaim |
UNDER A FOOT PLANT CO. V. EXTERIOR DESIGN | Plaintiff's jury verdict: $900K actual damages; $300K statutory damages |
ANDREW PAUL LEONARD v. STEMTECH HEALTH SCIENCES, INC. | $1.6 Million awarded to the Plaintiff |
Wallace v. Trost | Lower Court Affirmed |
Zorzit v. 915 W. 36th Street | Remanded |
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Kelcie Longaker, Litigation Attorney on Sep 9, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker
Jan is a tireless advocate who offers to his clients zealous representation in his devotion to providing exemplary legal advice coupled with practical solutions.
William Heyman, Lawsuits and disputes Attorney on Jun 24, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Jan is an extremely competent and fair attorney who puts his clients first -- I have not hesitated to send clients to Jan and know they will be in good hands with him.
Kelcie Longaker, Litigation Attorney on Sep 9, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker
Jan is a tireless advocate who offers to his clients zealous representation in his devotion to providing exemplary legal advice coupled with practical solutions.
William Heyman, Lawsuits and disputes Attorney on Jun 24, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Jan is an extremely competent and fair attorney who puts his clients first -- I have not hesitated to send clients to Jan and know they will be in good hands with him.
Dilip Paliath, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Jun 1, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Bankruptcy is such a specialized area that there are few attorneys that I would trust like I trust Jan. Jan knows the intricacies of the law like no one else, and I have no hesitancy in referring clients to him. He does an excellent job and is the consummate professional.
Justin Okezie, Litigation Attorney on May 8, 2014
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I strongly endorse this lawyer. As opposing counsel Mr. Berlage demonstrated to me that he was efficient, intelligent, and always professional. Justin A. Okezie, Esq.
Timothy Mccormack, Litigation Attorney on Aug 19, 2012
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Jan acted as my local counsel in a federal court copyright case. He and his firm did a good job.
Tara Clarke, Litigation Attorney on Jan 6, 2012
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
Jan is the most tenacious attorney I have ever seen. He is also a rare person who actually cares more about achieving just results for his clients than making a quick buck. If you want a highly ethical, caring, and intelligent attorney to represent you in court, Jan is your man without a doubt.
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