Certa Bonum Certamen

Intellectual Property Litigation

GF represents individual photographers, inventors and businesses. If an individual, corporation or website has used your copyrighted work, patent or trademark we will enforce your rights and recover everything you are entitled.

  • Copyright

    GF’s practice is solidly versed in the protection of computer software, the graphic and visual arts, musical and audiovisual works, architectural works, and textual (i.e. books) materials.

    GF attorneys have handled numerous cases protecting the copyrights of our clients. We also work with clients to protect and leverage often overlooked subjects of copyright protection, such as the internet, advertisements, and labels.

  • Patent

    GF actively handles patent litigation for individuals and corporations alike. We approach each case as a communication challenge: how to present complex technical and legal issues to a judge or jury in clear, persuasive language. Early in the case, GF develops themes that clarify the key legal and scientific issues.

  • Trademark

    GF is currently involved in major trademark litigation. GF will seek to enforce the exclusive rights attaching to your trademark against any unauthorized use of your mark. Trade dress and unfair competition claims may also be brought. GF also seeks emergency provisional relief so often necessary in trademark cases.

  • Trademark Prosecution

    GF advises clients on every stage of the process of selecting, registering, and enforcing trademarks, both domestically and abroad; from assisting clients in selecting marks free for use and registration to implementing and overseeing nationwide efforts in concert with Customs and Border Protection Agents to prevent importation of goods bearing counterfeit marks, T. J. provides a full range of trademark services to his clients.

Employment Litigation

Employment litigation is fairly broad and is covered by numerous statutes including the ADA, ADEA, FMLA, and Title VII. There are no half-measures, if GF represents you; it will do so excellently and vigorously. GF will consider taking on matters in the following areas:

  • Wrongful Termination of Employment
  • Non-compete agreements
  • Workplace discrimination based on age, gender, ethnicity, color, disability, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation or religion
  • Unlawful Layoffs
  • Breach of Employment Agreement/Contract
  • Failure to Pay Overtime or wages
  • Failure to Provide Meal Period s and Rest Breaks
  • Harassment in the Workplace
  • Failure to Accommodate Disability
  • Termination based on Family Medical Leave

Commercial Litigation

Commercial litigation covers all business to business conflicts. GF will consider taking business disputes in the following areas:

  • Contract disputes
  • Civil RICO
  • Commercial defamation
  • Interference with contractual or economic relations
  • Breach of fiduciary duty
  • Fraud and misrepresentation
  • Unfair and deceptive trade practices and
  • Other conduct or claims that affect the success of a business.

Class Action

GF is actively engaged in consumer and employment class actions.

GF represents plaintiffs in class actions in Federal Court. Class actions, aggregate claims of an entire group of plaintiffs and can increase the efficiency of the legal process, and lower the costs of litigation. In cases with common questions of law and fact, aggregation of claims into a class action may avoid the necessity of repeating days of the same witnesses, exhibits and issues.

A class action may also overcome the problem that small recoveries do not provide the incentive for any individual to bring a solo action prosecuting his or her rights. A class action solves this problem by aggregating the relatively small potential recoveries into a single larger recovery. In other words, a class action ensures that a defendant who engages in widespread harm – but does so minimally against each individual plaintiff – must compensate those individuals for their injuries.

  • On August 30, GF initiated one of the largest class actions ever filed alleging violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act or RICO on behalf of 12 million users of AmateurMatch.com and dozens of related "adult dating" websites.
  • On August 30, GF filed a wage and hour class action against Flex Mussels, a popular Upper East Side eatery. The class consists of all dishwashers who did not receive their minimum wage, overtime and spread-of-hours pay as required by law.
  • On March 12, 2010, GF filed a wage and hour class action against Arista Associates, Inc. owners of six Patsy's Pizza, three Angelo's Pizza and three Dean's Pizzeria and Restaurant. The class consists of all dishwashers at these New York institutions.  The dishwashers were paid $330 per week and worked 60-70 hours per week, a violation of New York State and Federal wage and hour laws.