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Jonathan Charles Balfus
also known as Jonathan C. Balfus
About Jonathan
Biography
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
4
Practice Areas
Litigation
40%
34 years | 80 cases
Intellectual Property
30%
33 years | 60 cases
Business
20%
38 years | 75 cases
Entertainment
10%
30 years | 50 cases
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 34 years
State: California
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
Licensed in New York for 36 years
State: New York
Acquired: 1989
No misconduct found
Location
Jonathan C. Balfus, Esq.
100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Santa Monica, CA, 90401
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Jonathan Charles Balfus's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
11 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (11)
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Intellectual Property
Posted by Warren Shiell | February 23, 2016 | Intellectual Property
First class intellectual property and business lawyer
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.
Posted by Susanna | November 12, 2015 | Intellectual Property
Fantastic
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 , whic...
Posted by Connie and Michael | November 09, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Intellectual Property
Superb
Jonny is an excellent attorney and wonderful person to have in our lives. He has helped our company in resolving complicated IP issues, and has also helped other members of our family in their legal matters. Jonny responds to all calls and emails immediately - something that is often missing with o...
Posted by Lara | October 22, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Intellectual Property
The highest professional recommendation
Jonny has been my go-to IP lawyer since 2012. He handles all my trademark, branding and internet matters, expediently and carefully. Most importantly, Jonny clearly explains exactly what the issues are and how they should be addressed, so we're always on the same page and I know what to expect. An...
Jonathan Charles Balfus's Lawyer Endorsements
"An exceptional litigation attorney whose reputation speaks for itself. Highly recommended lawyer."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Excellent knowledge of the law. I endorse this lawyer."
"Jonathan is a worthy advocate with excellent presentation skills."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
Paul Goodman
Intellectual property lawyer
Daniel Ballard
Intellectual property lawyer
Ira David
Intellectual property lawyer
Sherry Spees
Corporate and incorporation lawyer
Joel Tantalo
Copyright infringement lawyer
Warren Shiell
Family lawyer
Kathryn Russo
Business lawyer
Experience
Work Experience
2013 - Present
Principal, Law Offices of Jonathan C. Balfus
2009 - 2013
Partner, Weiss & Spees LLP
2003 - 2009
Attorney, Fainsbert Mase & Snyder
Associations
2000 - Present
Beverly Hills Bar Association
Sample of Legal Cases
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
Education
1988
New York University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1985
New York University College of Arts & Sciences
BA - Bachelor of Arts (cum laude)
Publications
2011
California Bankruptcy Journal
“EXIDE Inside Out: New Third Circuit Decision Preserves Trademark Licensee’s Rights Following Licensor’s Rejection Under Bankruptcy Code §365”
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Will I be able to sue a company that sells impure gold and refuses to take responsibility?
21 May 2018
Q&A
Is my newly made logo trademark infringement?
21 May 2018
Q&A
What does it mean to be procedurally deficient .What can I do to rectify the situation, as I have a few days left for a response
02 Jan 2016