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Donahue Fitzgerald Attorneys Named 2026 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Northern California Super Lawyers: Andrew S. MacKay: Intellectual Property Dawn Newton: Franchise/Dealership Kristin A. Pace: Estate Planning & Probate Mary M. Rudser: Estate Planning & Probate Jessica M. Takano: Civil Litigation: Plaintiff Jonathan Wong: Immigration Business Emily L. Yip: Estate & Trust Litigation Denae H. Budde: Real Estate Daniel B. Newbold: Estate Planning & Probate […]
SB 690 Moves Forward Amid Surge in California CIPA Website Tracking Lawsuits
Background CIPA claims have been on the rise over the last two years with a handful of law firms and serial plaintiffs filing thousands of claims and sending even more demands against businesses, public agencies, and non-profits. CIPA was designed to stop wiretapping telephones in 1967, but these law firms and plaintiffs now claim that […]
CIPA “Wiretapping” Demands Are Surging — Is Your Website a Target?
Why It Should Matter to You $5,000 per violation regardless of harm. CIPA carries statutory damages of $5,000 per violation (or three times actual damages), plus attorney’s fees and injunctive relief, under Penal Code § 637.2. There is no opportunity to cure the violation(s). Violations stack. Plaintiffs argue that each tracker — and each third […]
Senior Counsel Chancellor W. Tseng Joins Donahue Fitzgerald
Chance is a Senior Counsel in our Litigation practice. He regularly represents businesses and individuals in complex civil disputes in federal, state, appellate courts, and before JAMS/American Arbitration Association (AAA). He helps his clients successfully navigate all facets of civil litigation, including pre-litigation analysis of key legal and factual issues; discovery and experts; trial; pre/post-trial […]
Donahue Fitzgerald Advises Sutter Instrument in Branford Castle-Backed Lafayette Instrument Acquisition
Sutter was represented by Donahue Fitzgerald’s Business and Corporate Group: Michael Sebree, Partner Kelly Rowland, Special Counsel Greg Cristobal, Paralegal Jennifer McWilliams, Paralegal Read the full press release, Branford Castle-Backed Lafayette Instrument Acquires Sutter Instrument Corp.
Serving face, losing rights: The legal fine print behind KATSEYE
Excerpted from the article: “These companies [record labels] are saying to their musicians: ‘You’re getting the worst of both worlds here. You don’t have the employment law protections and you don’t have the rights.’” “In the end, our job as lawyers is not to make the decision for an artist, but to help them make […]
What to Do if Your Trade Secrets Are Misappropriated: A Practical Guide for Businesses
What is Trade Secret Misappropriation? A trade secret refers to any unique and secret information that gives an owner or business a competitive business advantage because it is secret, and businesses must take reasonable steps to keep it confidential. When a business or person wrongfully acquires a trade secret (e.g., by theft or by breach of […]
Understanding and Protecting Your Trade Secrets: A Practical Guide for Businesses
What Is A Trade Secret? A trade secret is information that derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known or readily ascertainable by others who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use, and that is subject to reasonable measures to maintain its secrecy. In plain terms, a trade secret […]
Current State of Play On Tariff Refunds
Court of International Trade Ruling on Tariff Refunds Atmus Filtration, Inc. v. United States In a ruling on March 4, 2026 (amended March 5), Judge Richard K. Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade (“CIT”) who is overseeing the Atmus Filtration, Inc. v. United States of America, addressed the question left open by the […]
Trademark Registration, Infringement, and Enforcement
When Should You Apply for a Trademark Registration? Consider filing a federal trademark registration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) if: You are using or plan to use a trademark in commerce; Your trademark is distinctive; You are concerned about third parties using the same or similar trademark; and You conduct business […]