Picture of Rod S. Berman

Rod Berman is rated one of the Best Lawyers in America® and was named “Lawyer of the Year” for Trademark Law in Los Angeles for 2022. He is recognized by one of America's foremost legal publications, the Daily Journal, as one of the top 30 intellectual property attorneys in the State of California; he has also been recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the top 100 attorneys in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Business Journal included him in its list, "Who's Who in LA Law: Angelenos to Know in Intellectual Property Law."  Rod is chairperson of the Firm's Intellectual Property Law Group, which earned JMBM recognition from the American Lawyer Media (ALM) as a Go-To Law Firm® in the areas of Intellectual Property Litigation and Patent Prosecution, as determined by ALM's annual survey of in-house counsel at FORTUNE 500® companies.

Rod focuses on patent, trademark, trade dress, copyright, unfair competition and internet responsibilities. His practice includes counseling, litigation, opinions, licensing, acquisition and prosecution. He represents many nationally and internationally known clients, and has been involved in a number of published patent, trademark and copyright cases in a wide variety of industries.

Rod has worked on a broad range of matters including those involving aircraft, apparel, automotive, beauty care, bicycles, biotechnology, cannabis products including CBDs, hemp and extraction techniques, celebrity endorsement, computer-related business methods, dietary and nutritional supplements, electrochemistry, food and restaurants, health care, inflatables, insecticides, jewelry, medical devices, packaging, pharmaceuticals, polymers, pressure sensors, retail, special effects, sports and entertainment, and toys. His contributions to his clients' successes have been mentioned in the media, including BusinessWeek

Recent experience includes
  • Winning a preliminary injunction in a trademark case against Wilson Sports.
  • Winning summary judgment of non-infringement in a patent case which was affirmed on appeal, and awarded attorney's fees.
  • Winning an Inter Parties Review case against his client's direct competitor. 

In addition to being a registered patent attorney, Rod is a court-recognized expert in patent and trademark law, and has successfully argued before the Federal Circuit and the Ninth Circuit. He was also successful in resolving a U.S. Supreme Court petition for certiorari.

Rod also has a strong business background, and received a Master of Science Degree from Indiana University. He has participated in numerous symposia and published several legal and technical papers on patent, trademark and copyright issues. He has particular expertise in strategy and tactics involving intellectual property disputes and design arounds, as well as internet and cyber law.

Clients have said of him: "I was not only very impressed with the manner in which [he] negotiated with the mediator, but the attention [he] paid to each detail in preparing the settlement agreement;" "[He has] been extremely competent and responsive," and, "I appreciate the fact that I can call [him] in a panic and get the help I need." Opponents have said: "[H]e's tenacious, yet fair minded."

Education

J.D., Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, 1982
cum laude top 4%

M.S., Indiana University Bloomington Chemistry, 1979

B.S., University of California, Los Angeles Chemistry, 1977

Bar Admissions State Bar of California
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Associations

International Trademark Association (INTA), Emerging Issues Sub-Committee (2014-2017)

Licensing Executives Society

UCLA Association of Chemists and Biochemists, Member (past president)

Loyola Law School, Board of Governors, 1990-1991

American Bar Association

Los Angeles County Bar Association

American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)

Awards & Recognition
  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV Rated
  • Received the Highest Award from the Chinese Society of Inventions after his presentation in Taiwan of "E-Commerce in the United States: Selected Intellectual Property, Privacy and Contractual Issues"
  • Contributed to Comments on the Community Trademark Implementing Rules to the European Commission for the International Trademark Association
  • Testified before the California Senate Judiciary Committee regarding California Business & Professions Code §14335
  • 1990 California Lawyers for the Arts Award for outstanding contributions to the entertainment and arts communities
  • Top 30 Intellectual Property Attorneys in California, Daily Journal
  • Recognized as a "Southern California Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyers magazine -2006-2007, 2009, 2013-2024, (Corporate Counsel Edition: 2009, 2010, 2013, Business Edition: 2014)
  • Listed as one of the Top Intellectual Property Attorneys, Los Angeles Business Journal 2009
  • "Who's Who in LA Law: Angelenos to Know in Intellectual Property Law", Los Angeles Business Journal 2012
  • Top Rated Lawyer in Appellate Law, Martindale-Hubbell 2013
  • Recognized in Best Lawyers in America®, Trademark Law, 2016-2024 and named 2022 "Lawyer of the Year"
Patent Law Blog