Jimmy is an associate in the Franchise & Distribution practice group, where he litigates and resolves a broad range of commercial matters, with a special emphasis on federal litigation relating to franchise disputes, trademark violations, real estate transactions, white collar crime, government investigations, and international matters.
Jimmy has significant experience representing franchisors in disputes with franchisees involving a variety of claims, including breach of contract, trademark infringement, tax fraud, underreporting of sales, unauthorized transfers of interest, employment law violations, employment discrimination, and commercial bribery. He also handles system standards enforcement and real estate litigation.
Prior to joining the firm, Jimmy served as a law clerk to the Honorable Bruce E. Kasold in the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Jimmy also served as an extern to the Honorable Ronald S.W. Lew in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
During law school Jimmy was a summer associate with two international law firms in their Thailand offices. He also has experience as a litigation associate with a prominent California law firm.
Experience
- Handled various matters for franchisor clients involving termination and nonrenewal litigation, restrictive covenant and trademark litigation, system standards enforcement litigation, arbitration and mediation of commercial disputes, settlement negotiations, discovery, depositions, and trial preparation
- Awarded permanent injunction on behalf of a franchisor for franchisee’s violations of the Lanham Act and post-term covenants against competition
- Defended a franchisor in a dispute involving breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, misrepresentation, and tort claims
- Awarded preliminary injunction on behalf of a franchisor alleging breach of contract and trademark infringement based on franchisee’s violations of the franchisor’s health, safety, and sanitation standards
- Assisted and counseled an international manufacturing company in preparation for a government compliance audit relating to export/import issues
- Successfully sought dismissal of claims brought against a large real estate development company for alleged slander of title and unlawful trade practices
- Represented, as part of a trial team at his previous firm, an exclusive resort property as plaintiffs in a complex litigation involving intertwined insurance coverage, real estate, and construction defect issues, which resulted in the largest settlement in that firm’s history
- Defended a large Los Angeles-based law firm and an individual lawyer for alleged fraud, conversion, and breach of fiduciary duty
- Counseled an international toy company seeking to build a manufacturing plant in Southern Thailand on applicable Thai foreign investment and zoning laws
- Successfully sought remand as counsel representing pro bono the surviving spouse of a Vietnam War veteran in her appeal in federal court for dependency and indemnity compensation benefits from the Veterans’ Administration that were denied by an administrative board
Publications
- "Judicial Profile: Hon. Bruce E. Kasold," The Federal Lawyer, June 2009
Education
- Cornell Law School, J.D., 2003
Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy, note editor, 2001-2003 - University of California, Los Angeles, B.A., 1999
Dean’s Honors List, 1998
Bar Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Veterans Claims
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
- District of Columbia
- California
Professional Activities
- Federal Bar Association, 2007-present
- International Franchise Association, 2007-present
- American Bar Association, Forum on Franchising, 2006-present
- St. Thomas More Society, 2006-present
- Asian Pacific American Bar Association, 2005-present
- Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Bar Association, 2005-present
- Bar Association of the District of Columbia, 2005-2007
Honors and Distinctions
- Pro Bono Shining Star Award, Gray Plant Mooty, 2008
- George Washington American Inn of Court, barrister, 2005-2007
Community Involvement
- Asian Pacific American Bar Association Educational Fund (AEF), board member and vice president, 2008
- Veterans Pro Bono Consortium, volunteer attorney, 2006-present
- Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network (CAAAN), member, 2005-2007