Michael Bernet
Associate
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.
Michael is an active member of the International Trademark Association (INTA) and is currently serving a two-year appointment on its Non-Traditional Marks Committee, and Litigation Task Force Subcommittee, on which he regularly monitors and reports on U.S. developments in trademark law for other members of the Association.
Education, Admissions And Accolades
- Pepperdine University School of Law (J.D., 2015)
- The Geoffrey H. Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law
- Law Review (Senior Staff Member)
- Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society
- University of California, Berkeley (B.A., American Studies, 2010)
- U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of California
- Admitted to practice law in the State of California (2015)
- 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
- International Trademark Association (INTA)
- Member, Non-Traditional Marks Committee (2020-Present)
- 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)
Publications
- The Routledge Companion to Copyright and Creativity in the 21st Century, November 26, 2020, “Buyer Beware: Copyright Issues in the Fashion Industry” (Co-Author)
- IPWatchdog, April 30, 2020, “From TikTok to Instagam: How to Legally Live Stream” (Co-Author)
- Forbes, October 24, 2019, “Lizzo’s ‘Truth Hurts’ Controversy Heats Up” (Author)
- IPWatchdog, July 14, 2018, “Can You Trademark a Color?” (Author)
- IPWatchdog, December 20, 2017, “Ban on ‘Immoral’ and ‘Scandalous’ Trademarks Ruled Unconstitutional, But Some Applicants Will Still Face Hurdles” (Author)
- American Bar Association: Landslide Magazine, July 1, 2017, “Parody Products: When Should Brand Owners ‘Smile or Laugh’ and When Should They Sue?” (Co-Author)
- Forbes, May 19, 2017, “The Eagles Sue Hotel California”(Author)
- Valley Lawyer, April 11, 2017, “Attention Shoppers! Surveillance on Aisle 6” (Co-Author)
- Forbes, January 24, 2017, “Copyright Ownership (That’s What McCartney Wants)” (Co-Author)
- California Apparel News, August 11, 2016, “Avoiding a Writ of Attachment: a Buyer’s Guide to Rejecting Non-Conforming Goods” (Co-Author)