Michael Bernet

Senior Counsel

Education

  • University of California, Berkeley (B.A., American Studies, 2010)
  • Pepperdine University School of Law (J.D., 2015)
    • Law Review (Senior Staff Member)
    • The Geoffrey H. Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law (Fellow)
    • Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society (Secretary)

Michael litigates intellectual property and general civil matters, including complex business and contractual disputes, and proves outside counsel for clients across a wide range of industries, including entertainment, apparel and consumer goods. Michael prefers to resolve matters early, amicably and cost-effectively, but when necessary, he provides aggressive advocacy.

Michael has extensive experience prosecuting and defending against copyright, trademark, right of publicity, breach of contract, fraud, unfair competition and employment claims, and other types of matters. He has successfully obtained summary judgments and dismissals for clients, as well as writs of attachment, injunctions, declaratory judgments, and recovered his clients' attorneys' fees.

As part of his practice, Michael often advises clients on how to avoid legal pitfalls, and how to develop and maintain their IP portfolios, including through trademark selection and clearance, in addition to resolving registration issues with the U.S. Copyright Office, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Michael also performs corporate, transactional, and other non-litigation focused services for clients as needed.

  • U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of California
  • Admitted to practice law in the State of California (2015)
  • International Trademark Association (INTA)
    • Member, Non-Traditional Marks Committee (2020-2023)
  • Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL)
  • Beverly Hills Bar Association
  • California Lawyers Association
    • Business Law, Litigation & IP Sections
  •  Judicial Extern for the Honorable André Birotte Jr., U.S. District Court, Central District of California (2015)
  • Best Lawyers in America - Ones to Watch: Intellectual Property (2023 - 2025)
  • Thomson Reuters, Southern California "Super Lawyers - Rising Stars" (2018 , 2019, 2020), placing Michael in the top 2.5% of under-40 attorneys in the region

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