(January 9, 2012, Manchester, NH) - Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green PA shareholders Christopher Cole and John-Mark Turner successfully defended Black Bear Micro-Roastery, a family-owned, New Hampshire coffee purveyor, in a 14-year long, David and Goliath-like trademark dispute against Starbucks Corp. On December 23, 2011, a federal district court in New York confirmed that Black Bear's use of the term "Charbucks Blend" did not infringe upon, or dilute the value of Starbucks' trademark and service mark.
Cole chairs the firm's Business Litigation Practice Group. He has successfully handled cases involving trade secrets related to software; the alleged misuse of company proprietary information and predatory employee hiring; trademark infringement; and numerous other business, employee and employment related disputes. Cole was named a New England Super Lawyer in the area of business litigation and is listed in Chambers USA in the area of commercial litigation. He has also been named a Best Lawyer in America by Woodward/White in the area of commercial litigation.
Turner has worked on a variety of matters in both state and federal courts with a focus on commercial litigation. His practice also concentrates on insurance and ERISA litigation, intellectual property litigation and tax litigation. Turner has been named a Rising Star by New England Super Lawyers in the area of Business Litigation for the past three years.
About the Firm
Sheehan Phinney is a full service business law firm representing local, national and international clients with innovative approaches and practical solutions. Founded in 1937, Sheehan Phinney has grown to 64 attorneys with four offices throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts and is known for professional excellence, practical counsel and commitment to both its clients and the communities it serves. Sheehan Phinney is the exclusive member in New Hampshire of Lex Mundi, the world's leading association of premier independent law firms. |
