Skip to main content

Jonathan Charles Balfus

also known as Jonathan C. Balfus
  Save
Avvo Rating9.2
  • Santa Monica, CA
  • Licensed for 30 years
  • Free consultation
See more Santa Monica Litigation lawyersSearch
AboutContactReviewsCost

About Jonathan

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

EntertainmentBusinessIntellectual propertyLitigation
  1. Litigation: 40%

    State and Federal litigation, appeals, arbitrations and mediations

    28 years, 80 cases

  2. Intellectual property: 30%

    Trademark and Copyright litigation, strategizing and monetizing, licensing, branding, domain name disputes, brand protection, registration and USPTO issues, infringement plaintiff and defense counsel

    27 years, 60 cases

  3. Business: 20%

    All aspects of business litigation: corporate dissolutions, shareholder/partnership disputes, vendor and supplier contractual disputes, merchandise, advertising, branding, performance and personal service contractual matters

    32 years, 75 cases

  4. Entertainment: 10%

    Music, performance and broadcasting industry contracts, disputes, licensing, litigation; attribution and IP issues, royalty, profitability and accounting disputes

    24 years, 50 cases

Contact

100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700
address map

Jonathan C. Balfus, Esq.

100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700
Santa Monica, CA, 90401

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
CAActive199112/12/2019
NYDue to reregister within 30 days of birthday 198912/06/2019
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers1013
Legal guides0
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
PrincipalLaw Offices of Jonathan C. Balfus2013 - Present
PartnerWeiss & Spees LLP2009 - 2013
AttorneyFainsbert Mase & Snyder2003 - 2009
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Beverly Hills Bar AssociationN/A2000 - Present
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
California Bankruptcy Journal“EXIDE Inside Out: New Third Circuit Decision Preserves Trademark Licensee’s Rights Following Licensor’s Rejection Under Bankruptcy Code §365”2011
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
New York University School of LawJD - Juris Doctor1988
New York University College of Arts & SciencesBA - Bachelor of Arts (cum laude)1985
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
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

Reviews

(11)
5 Star
100%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Review Jonathan Balfus

First class intellectual property and business lawyer

Posted by

I first worked with Jonny back in 2004. Since that time he is my first call for any intellectual property or business litigation consultation. A very straightforward, effective, and clear-thinking attorney that you want on your side.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Fantastic

Posted by

Thoughtful and compassionate are the first two words that come to mind when I think of Jonny (along with awesome and a life saver) He is extremely helpful and guided me through the rough waters of a rather ugly situation, for which I am extremely grateful. He is genuinely interested in helping , which is refreshing and noble. Definitely someone you want on your side and defending you. I am more than happy to recommend him to anyone in need of legal assistance, especially in the area of intellectual property. I'd give him more stars if I could.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney
See all reviews

Attorney endorsements

(11)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Somair Alam, General practice Attorney on Feb 13, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

An exceptional litigation attorney whose reputation speaks for itself. Highly recommended lawyer.

Jonathan Jekel, Trademark application 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.

Julian Cordero, Contracts and agreements Attorney on Nov 18, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Balfus is a frequent contributor on the Avvo forums and provides countless great answers.

John Phillips, Personal injury Attorney on Nov 16, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

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, Personal injury 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, Education Attorney on Oct 20, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Jonathan is a worthy advocate with excellent presentation skills.

Michael Doland, Business 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, Business 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, Litigation 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, Health care 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.

Cost

RATES
    • Free Consultation Some lawyers offer a free consultation to help determine whether their services are right for your legal needs30 minutes