Jonathan C. Balfus is a seasoned litigator with an emphasis in complex business and intellectual property. Mr. Balfus has extensive experience handling copyright, trademark, fair use, and rights of publicity matters all over the country. He has counseled individual, small business and large corporate clients regarding the strategic use and licensing of all forms of intellectual property. In the entertainment field, Mr. Balfus has represented clients in the television, radio, recording, merchandising and music publishing industries. For several years, Mr. Balfus represented Clear Channel Communications in a series of successful infringement actions over the expansion of national radio brands in California, New York, Illinois, Florida, Ohio, Georgia, Nevada and Texas. More recently, Mr. Balfus has focused on new media, Internet issues, domain name and URL disputes, and copyright and trademark registration. He regularly counsels clients regarding online transactions, commerce and advertising matters. In his art law practice, Mr. Balfus counsels artists, galleries, collectors and curators in all aspects of the sale, provenance and reproduction of art.
Mr. Balfus graduated with honors from New York University’s College of Arts and Sciences (1985) and School of Law (1988). While at NYU Law, he clerked for New York Appellate Court Judge Frederick T. Santucci. He is a member of the State Bars of New York and California and is admitted to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. District Courts in the Central, Northern, Eastern and Southern Districts of California. He is a member of the Beverly Hills Bar Association. Prior to establishing his solo practice, Mr. Balfus was a partner with Weiss & Spees, LLP in Los Angeles.
Practice areas
State and Federal litigation, appeals, arbitrations and mediations
29 years, 80 cases
Trademark and Copyright litigation, strategizing and monetizing, licensing, branding, domain name disputes, brand protection, registration and USPTO issues, infringement plaintiff and defense counsel
28 years, 60 cases
All aspects of business litigation: corporate dissolutions, shareholder/partnership disputes, vendor and supplier contractual disputes, merchandise, advertising, branding, performance and personal service contractual matters
33 years, 75 cases
Music, performance and broadcasting industry contracts, disputes, licensing, litigation; attribution and IP issues, royalty, profitability and accounting disputes
25 years, 50 cases
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA | Active | 1991 | 02/05/2021 |
| NY | Currently registered | 1989 | 02/28/2021 |
| Legal answers | 1013 |
| Legal guides | 0 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Principal | Law Offices of Jonathan C. Balfus | 2013 - Present |
| Partner | Weiss & Spees LLP | 2009 - 2013 |
| Attorney | Fainsbert Mase & Snyder | 2003 - 2009 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Beverly Hills Bar Association | N/A | 2000 - Present |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| California Bankruptcy Journal | “EXIDE Inside Out: New Third Circuit Decision Preserves Trademark Licensee’s Rights Following Licensor’s Rejection Under Bankruptcy Code §365” | 2011 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| New York University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1988 |
| New York University College of Arts & Sciences | BA - Bachelor of Arts (cum laude) | 1985 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| In re Karykeion, Inc., 435 B.R. 663 (Bankr. C.D. Cal. 2010) | Motion Granted |
| Citicasters Licenses, Inc. v. Cumulus Media, Inc., 189 F. Supp.2d 1372 (S.D. Ga. 2002) | Won bench trial |
| Wilkes v. Rhino Records, Inc., 133 F.3d 931 (9th Cir. 1997) | Won summary judgment |
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Somair Alam, Litigation Attorney on Feb 12, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
An exceptional litigation attorney whose reputation speaks for itself. Highly recommended lawyer.
Jonathan Jekel, Intellectual property Attorney on Dec 3, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Balfus is a frequent contributor on Avvo. What I appreciate most about his responses is his candor. Because Avvo is a public forum, we frequently encounter legal issues of dubious credibility. Mr. Balfus has no problem telling someone when they have no claim. I imagine this attitude carries over to his clients. Unlike many other attorneys who just cannot say "no" to a client, you can trust that Mr. Balfus will give you an honest, candid assessment of whether and to what extent you have a valid claim or defense. Therefore, I am happy to submit my endorsement.
I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Balfus is a frequent contributor on the Avvo forums and provides countless great answers.
I endorse this lawyer. Lawyers who donate time on sites like this have a passion for the law and a compassion for the people they serve. Kudos.
Willie Graves, Litigation Attorney on Nov 15, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Chris Zhen, Intellectual property Attorney on Nov 4, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Excellent knowledge of the law. I endorse this lawyer.
Mark Hathaway, Litigation Attorney on Oct 20, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Jonathan is a worthy advocate with excellent presentation skills.
Michael Doland, Intellectual property Attorney on Oct 16, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Although relatively new to Avvo, the answers of Mr. Balfus are consistently accurate, analytic, and customized to the needs of the Avvo asker. These are exactly the qualities that every client would look for when selecting an attorney.
Kalpesh Patel, Intellectual property Attorney on Oct 14, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Balfus is an excellent Intellectual Property Lawyer. He is through in his advice and provides very helpful information. I would recommend Mr. Balfus to my clients who need an intellectual property lawyer.
Joel Tantalo, Intellectual property Attorney on Sep 29, 2015
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I was opposing counsel with Jonny in a small (dollars-wise) but very contentious business breakup involving intellectual property (the parties involved were musicians). It was much like a divorce, and the parties were very emotional about the dispute. Jonny and I were able to separate ourselves from the personal side of the case, speak frankly, trust one another, and ultimately settle a case on terms favorable to everyone so that they could go their separate ways. Despite the nature of the case, Jonny and I always got along. Jonny is a strong -- yet courteous and professional -- attorney. I certainly endorse him.
Kathryn Russo, Intellectual property Attorney on Sep 28, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Every time I have referred a client to Jonny I have had a great experience working with him. Jonny has extensive experience handling copyright, trademark, fair use, media, and rights of publicity matters. I would not hesitate to refer my clients to Jonny because he consistently and quickly delivers expert advice and my clients have been very satisfied working with him.