Articles/News
Donahue Fitzgerald Attorneys Recognized in the Best Lawyers in America® 2025 Edition
Dawn Newton, Franchise Law Kristin A. Pace, Tax Law Merrill J. Schwartz, Real Estate Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers recognitions are compiled based on a comprehensive peer-review survey. The 31ˢᵗ edition reached a historic milestone with over 250,000 voters […]
Senior Counsel Corban J. Porter Joins Donahue Fitzgerald
Corban J. Porter is a Senior Counsel in the Litigation practice group. With over 14 years of litigation experience in state and federal courts, Corban maintains a diverse litigation practice, including bad faith and insurance coverage matters relating to property damage, health insurance and life insurance disputes. Corban has secured successful resolutions for clients at […]
Donahue Fitzgerald Attorneys Named 2024 Super Lawyers
Northern California Super Lawyers Denae H. Budde: Real Estate Natasha S. Chee: Entertainment & Sports Andrew S. MacKay: Intellectual Property Daniel B. Newbold: Estate Planning & Probate Kristin A. Pace: Estate Planning & Probate Lawrence K. Rockwell: Estate & Trust Litigation Mary M. Rudser: Estate Planning & Probate Michael M.K. Sebree: Business & Corporate David […]
Senior Counsel Natasha S. Chee Joins Donahue Fitzgerald
Natasha is a Senior Counsel in the Intellectual Property and Music and Entertainment practice group. She has a wide breadth of experience negotiating, drafting, and reviewing contracts for movie and music producers, authors, artists, actors, and musicians whose work appear in film, television, new media and beyond. Natasha has extensive experience with sophisticated agreements and […]
US Federal Trade Commission Bans “Non-Compete” Agreements Across The US
This new federal rule invalidates existing non-compete agreements, except those covering “senior executives,” defined as individuals earning over $151,164 annually who are in a “policy-making position.” This federal rule requires employers to give written notice to current and former workers/employees that their non-compete agreements are no longer in effect. The rule defines “noncompete clause” as […]
Senior Counsel Sophia Y. Cizmarik Joins Donahue Fitzgerald
Sophia joins Donahue Fitzgerald’s Trusts and Estates practice group and she provides customized plans that ensure each client’s estate planning goals are met. She gives strategic guidance on incapacity planning, probate avoidance, the role of the Trustee, tax minimization, and asset preservation for future generations. In addition to estate planning, Sophia has experience helping clients […]
Donahue Fitzgerald Advises Fidelity Roofing Company in HCI Equity Partner-Backed Highland Commercial Roofing’s Acquisition
Fidelity Roofing Company was represented by Donahue Fitzgerald’s Business and Corporate Group: Arun Bose, Associate Greg Cristobal, Paralegal Nathan Desai, Associate Kathrin Dimas, Partner Michael Sebree, Partner Read the full press release, HCI Equity Partners-Backed Highland Commercial Roofing Acquires Fidelity Roof Company.
Dawn Newton Recognized as 2024 Franchise Times Legal Eagle
The Legal Eagles distinction is reserved for top franchise lawyers who “live and breathe franchising and truly understand the nuances of the unique business model.” To determine its list of Legal Eagles, Franchise Times considers nominations and recommendations from clients, peers and other legal professionals. Read more about this recognition here. About Donahue Fitzgerald Donahue Fitzgerald […]
Partner Daniel Schacht Named to Billboard’s 2024 “Top Music Lawyers” List
Billboard recognized Daniel’s major clients and achievements from the past year. Donahue’s music clients include Carlos Santana, Missy Elliott, Barry Mann, Mary Bono and the estate of Malik Taylor (aka Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest). Most recently, the Music and Entertainment group handled Santana’s legal work for the documentary Carlos, released through Sony Classics, which […]
Donahue Fitzgerald Recognized in the World Trademark Review’s 2024 WTR 1000 Ranking
Donahue Fitzgerald was ranked for trademark enforcement and litigation as well as prosecution and strategy. In addition to the firm’s ranking, four of our partners – Andrew MacKay, Daniel Schacht, Jonathan Osder, and Dawn Newton – have been individually acknowledged as top practitioners. The WTR 1000 is the only definitive guide exclusively dedicated to identifying […]