Norman is a principal practicing primarily in the areas of intellectual property and trust & estate litigation. He advises clients in building their brands, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and other intellectual property assets as well as maintaining, protecting, and defending them. Norman has substantial experience in disputes involving trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, false advertising, unfair competition, patent, patent inventorship, and other IP-based litigation. In addition to his IP work, Norman has substantial experience in the areas of trust & estate litigation, trustee disputes, accountings, will contests, and other probate proceedings.
Representative Cases
- Saul Zaentz Co. v. Wozniak Travel, Inc. __F.Supp.2d __, 2008 WL, 89 U.S.P.Q.2d 1665 (N.D. Cal. 2008) (lead counsel in successful defense of trademark infringement and dilution claims brought by producers of Lord of Rings movies against travel agency that operates under the name Hobbit Travel)
- Clam Corp., Inc. v. Innovative Outdoor Solutions, Inc. 2008 WL 5244845, 89 U.S.P.Q.2d 1314 (D. Minn. 2008) (lead counsel in opposing trade dress infringement claim based on the plaintiff’s registration of a color blue for ice fishing shelters)
- Defended trustee of a decedent’s trust against multi-million claims by the personal representative of decedent’s estate, including that the trustee was required to pay off debts secured by assets transferred to the personal representative (2009)
- Kia Motors America, Inc. v. Autoworks Distributing, 2009 WL 499543, 90 U.S.P.Q.2d 1598 (D. Minn. 2009) (represented plaintiff in gray market/counterfeiting unfair competition matter regarding auto parts sold under plaintiff’s trademarks)
- Convey Compliance Systems, Inc. v. 1099 Pro., Inc., 443 F.3d 327 443 F.3d 327 (4th Cir. 2006) (successfully prosecuted breach of contract claims and defended trademark infringement and cyber-squatting claims)
- Stern v. Columbia University, 434 F.3d 1375 (Fed. Cir. 2006) (patent inventorship dispute)
- Cieslukowski v. Norton Motorcycles, et al., 2002 WL 31045846 (D. Minn. 2002) (trial addressing successor liability and remedies for transferring trademarks post trial to avoid judgment creditors)
- In re Williams Trust, 631 N.W.2d 398 (Minn. App. 2001); 2000 WL 1920038 (Minn. Dist. Ct. 2000) 591 N.W.2d 743 (Minn. App. 1999) (significant trial and appellate decisions on duties of trustee, damages for breach of trust and use of attorney/client privilege for lawyers representing trust)
- Heidi Ott v. Target et al., 153 F.Supp.2d 1055 (D. Minn. 2001) (significant case addressing misuse of trade dress, unfair competition, and false advertising)
- Entegris, Inc. v. ReSource America, et al. (2004) (represented defendant in business method patent infringement matter)
Presentations
- “The Rise and Changing Nature of Fraud Claims in Trademark Litigation,” Gray Plant Mooty Hot Topics in IP Litigation Roundtable, February 2009
Education
- University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1993
- Boston University, cum laude, 1990
Bar Admissions
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, 1994
- Minnesota, 1993
Professional Activities
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Ramsey County Bar Association
- Law clerk for the Honorable Margaret M. Marrinan
Ramsey County District Court Judge
Honors and Distinctions
- "Rising Star," Minnesota Law & Politics, 2002-2007
Community Involvement
- Cardozo Society, executive steering committee, 2004-present; coprogramming chair, 2004-2007
- Jewish Community Center, board member, 1998-2006 (significant involvement with agencies, long-range planning, finance committee, membership committee, fitness facilities committee, and 2005 Maccabi Games)
- Gray Plant Mooty Pro Bono Committee, member
- Minneapolis Urban League Legal Aid Clinic, participant