Before joining Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Jeff was an Assistant District Attorney for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia, and a civil litigation partner in two AmLaw 100 law firms. Although much of Jeff’s civil litigation experience lies in intellectual property disputes, he also has significant experience litigating complex business disputes involving mergers and acquisitions, breach of contract, employee theft and wrongdoing, and misappropriate of trade secrets.
Jeff also advises various individuals and companies in the entertainment industry, including rendering advice in contract negotiations, and disputes arising from breaches of such agreements.
While in public service, Jeff developed a deep bench of trial experience in a very short period of time, cultivating the ability to quickly discern what is important and what is not when it comes to developing a winning strategy.
In intellectual property litigation, Jeff has a particular affinity for copyright litigation. He has litigated copyright cases in New York, Nashville, and other jurisdictions ranging from disputes over the ownership and completion of a groundbreaking documentary film to disputes over ownership of photographs to claims of infringement of a musical theatrical composition.
Jeff’s experience in trade secret misappropriation disputes is extensive and diverse, involving disputes of employee theft of trade secrets and corporate espionage in industries as diverse and complex as aeronautics, consumer products, medical cost management software, and industrial manufacturing machinery, as well as more garden-variety misappropriations such as customer lists and pricing information.
In trademark litigation, Jeff has litigated brand and trademark infringement disputes for companies in such disparate industries as social media, news and media outlets, restaurants, carbonated beverages, coffee, and playground equipment.
Jeff’s patent litigation experience is also varied, involving claims of patent infringement for technologies such as mobile telephone networks, computer software, semiconductors, medical devices, and industrial manufacturing machinery and processes.
In addition to practicing law, Jeff is a professional actor. His extensive background in theater, film, television, and improvisational theater aid him in the courtroom. He offers not only legal skill and the ability to think on his feet, but also knowledge of how to deliver persuasive arguments.
Professional and Community Involvement
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
Member, Atlanta Intellectual Property Inn of Court
Member, American Bar Association
Member, Federal Bar Association
Member, Georgia State Bar Association
Honors
The Best Lawyers in America, 2019-2024