IP Partner Angelo Mazza was asked by Customs & Border Protection (CBP) leadership to join the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Process Modernization Working Group. This working group is part of the larger Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC). The COAC advises the Secretaries of the Treasury and DHS on all matters involving the commercial operations of CBP, including advising on significant changes proposed to regulations, policies, or practices of CBP; provides recommendations to the Secretaries of the Treasury and DHS on improvements to the commercial operations of CBP; and perform such other functions relating to the commercial operations of CBP as prescribed by law or as the Secretaries of the Treasury and DHS jointly direct. The IPR Process Working Group is tasked with developing solid proposals which modernize the way CBP deals with volative goods entering the US.
Ellen Poreda, Stephen Maltby and Jake Paul Minster Author Chapter on US Immigration Outlook
Immigration attorneys Ellen Poreda, Stephen Maltby and Jake Paul Minster authored a chapter on US Immigration in The Corporate Immigration Review.
The chapter provides an overview of US immigration legislation and policy, recent legislative developments, employer sponsorship options, the impact of COVID-19 and an outlook on immigration trends.
Now in its 10th edition, the purpose of The Corporate Immigration Review is to share information across borders, identify global trends and provide practical insights into immigration systems in various jurisdictions.
To view the full chapter on United States immigration, visit The Law Reviews site.
About the Authors
Ellen L. Poreda oversees the implementation of employment based immigration programs of institutional clients, with a specialization in the financial services industry. Stephen J.O. Maltby, head of Gibney’s Immigration Practice Group, was also a contributing author. Stephen handles the design and implementation of strategic immigration programs for businesses. Jake Paul Minster has experience advising clients on immigration case strategies and managing large, complex caseloads for multinational.
Gibney Immigration Attorney Violeta Petrova Promoted to Partner
Gibney is pleased to announce that Violeta Petrova was promoted to a Partner in our Immigration Group, effective July 1, 2020.
Violeta Petrova represents large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap clients in U.S. business immigration, including nonimmigrant and permanent residence matters. She also assists individual clients with family-based and employment-based visas. Her experience ranges across multiple sectors, including financial services, engineering, IT, biotech and pharmaceuticals and graphic/digital design. She contributes to program management and company policy development for frequent business travelers, rotational programs, summer intern programs and PERM programs.
“We are delighted to have Violeta as a Partner in the Immigration Group. She has been a valuable part of our team for many years. Her depth of experience, commitment to a high level of service and ability to develop comprehensive solutions, continue to provide significant value to our immigration clients,” said Stephen Maltby, Immigration Chair.
About Gibney
For over 70 years, we’ve been more than lawyers to our clients. We are consultants creating higher levels of value, which develops more relevant client relationships. This synergistic approach has empowered us to move ahead of the curve in our ability to be innovative in the design of solutions and programs. As a full-service commercial law firm with offices in New York and San Francisco, and associated offices in London, Geneva and Singapore, we provide turn-key solutions.
Angelo Mazza Quoted in Vox Media on Covid-19 Counterfeiters
IP Partner Angelo Mazza was quoted in the Vox Media article, “Coronavirus scammers are flooding social media with fake cures and tests.” The article explores the demand for products fueled by the Covid-19 pandemic such at-home testing kits and the new risk caused by online opportunists selling counterfeit products on social media platforms, e-commerce marketplaces and the dark web.
The article highlights Angelo’s recent brief on Covid-19 counterfeits. In the article, Angelo advises on best practices for recognizing counterfeits, noting that “weird spellings and formatting of words are a strong hint that a seller isn’t authorized. The apparent typos might actually be attempts to evade screening algorithms set up by the…platform.”
Angelo counsels clients in developing brand protection and enforcement strategies, and works extensively with law enforcement on intellectual property-related crimes. He has trained over 60,000 law enforcement officials including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations and local departments.
GIbney COVID-19 Response and Business Operations
As we all continue to navigate the rapidly evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gibney is proactively at work to protect the health and safety of our employees and ensure high-level service for our clients.
Gibney is poised to respond to the changing landscape as we receive new guidance. We are following all CDC best practices and continued recommendations from federal, state and local agencies in real-time.
Our firm has an established system to employ several layers of business continuity planning. We have been working diligently to ready our technology for seamless business operations in New York and San Francisco. We are implementing a remote work policy to provide safe working conditions for our employees while still delivering efficient service to our clients. Our systems will provide our attorneys and paralegals with full remote access to all office systems and e-mail and the ability to conduct meetings via Zoom Conferencing and phone. Wherever our professionals are located, we are here for you.
Gibney is continuing to monitor the escalating impact and we will update you on the actions we are taking. Practice teams will continue to provide you updates on any critical information that may impact your current matters. For more specific questions, please reach out to your specific contact or email us at info@gibney.com.
We are proud to have serviced many of our clients for decades and that many of our attorneys and staff have spent their entire careers at Gibney. As a community we will get through this challenging time together. We appreciate your understanding during this time and wish everyone good health and safety.
Thank you for your continued trust in Gibney.
Gibney San Francisco is Moving
Gibney San Francisco is on the move. We are pleased to announce that our San Francisco office is relocating.
Starting Monday, March 9, 2020 our new location will be:
220 Montgomery Street, Suite 810, San Francisco, CA 94104
View our location and directions.
Our office phone number will remain (415) 901-2270.
The new San Francisco office is located in The Mills Building, a landmark building situated in heart of downtown on one of the San Francisco’s most vibrant retail and business corridors.
For questions, please reach out to your designated attorney or email info@gibney.com.
Brian Brokate Recognized as Leading IP Attorney in World Trademark Review 1000
Gibney’s Intellectual Property Chair Brian Brokate has been recognized in the 2020 edition of World Trademark Review 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals. Brian is listed as a leading attorney in New York. WTR noted that “Brian Brokate is one of the top anti-counterfeiting experts in the United States. His client, legislative, policy and education work puts him at the heart of solutions to the piracy problem.”
Now in its tenth year, the WTR 1000 is a comprehensive list of the world’s leading private practice trademark experts on the basis of subjective feedback received from those operating in the market. The WTR 1000 remains the only standalone publication to recommend individual practitioners and their firms exclusively in the trademark field, and identifies the leading players in over 80 key jurisdictions globally. The comprehensive research process includes interviews with hundreds of lawyers, attorneys and their clients involved with trademarks. Individuals in WTR 1000 are included based on knowledge of their practice and the market in which they operate.
Brian Brokate is head of Gibney’s Intellectual Property Group. He has extensive experience assisting companies in investigation and enforcement procedures to combat trademark and copyright infringement. With a niche focus on anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy, he handles and is involved in all stages of civil anti-counterfeiting and infringement litigation as well as state and federal criminal actions.
Gibney Immigration Attorneys and Practice Named in The Best Lawyers in America©
Gibney attorneys Stephen Maltby and Houman Afshar were recognized in the 2020 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of immigration law. Gibney was also recognized as a top firm for immigration in New York. Published in 1982, The Best Lawyers in America© is one of the oldest and most respected peer review publications in the legal profession. Recognition by Best Lawyers is based on a peer review process designed to capture the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
About Immigration
Dedicated to meeting the U.S. and global immigration needs of our clients around the world, our Immigration Group delivers strategic solutions specifically tailored to meet each client’s need. We partner with clients to help attract, support and retain the international talent essential to their business success. Learn more about who we are.
Brian Brokate Recognized in Who’s Who Legal Trademarks
Brian Brokate was recognized in Who’s Who Legal: Trademarks 2019. WWL: Trademarks highlights leading trademarks lawyers who are recognized for their broad-ranging expertise across the field of trademark law, assisting clients of all sizes with a wide range of matters, including prosecution, enforcement, portfolio management and dispute resolution.
Brian is head of Gibney’s Intellectual Property Group. He has extensive experience assisting companies in investigation and enforcement procedures to combat trademark and copyright infringement with a niche focus on anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy.
Gibney Expands Immigration Group with Senior Counsel Kristen Heckman
Gibney continues to grow its Immigration Group and we are pleased to welcome Kristen Heckman. Kristen has over 10 years of experience focusing on the immigration counseling of Fortune 500 corporations. She assists clients in the strategizing and preparation of visa petitions to facilitate both long- and short-term temporary work assignments, as well as permanent residence sponsorship and naturalization. She advises corporate clients on ongoing immigration policy development and workforce compliance efforts. Kristen received her JD from Touro College and her BBA from Hofstra University.