Harold R. Bruno, III, Esq.

Education:
B.A. in Finance, University of Illinois, 1982 With Honors
J.D., University of Colorado, 1985

Harold R. Bruno, III specializes in franchise and intellectual property litigation and arbitration. He also has a wide range of experience in trademark registration and commercial litigation. He received his undergraduate degree in finance with honors in 1982 from the University of Illinois and his law degree in 1985 from the University of Colorado. Hal is admitted to practice law in Colorado and the District of Columbia as well as the United States Courts of Appeals for the 1st, 4th, 9th, 10th and Federal Circuits.

Hal has been recognized by 5280 Magazine as a Colorado Super Lawyer® in Intellectual Property Litigation and has earned an AV rating from his peers through Martindale-Hubbell. Furthermore, he is an approved arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association and FranArb, Incorporated. He is a member of the Litigation and Intellectual Property sections of the Colorado Bar Association, and a member of the Denver Bar Association. Hal is also a member of the American Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Law Section and the ABA Forum Committee on Franchising. Additionally, he was President of Temple Micah from 2007 to 2009.

Areas of Practice:
Appeals
Arbitration & Mediation
Commercial Disputes
Franchise & Distribution
Trademark & Copyright Infringement, Trade Secret Protection
Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets

Representative Cases:

• Holy Transfiguration Monastery V. Archbishop Gregory, 2011 WL 529852 (D. Mass. 2011) – defended Russian Orthodox monk against claims of copyright infringement.
• Big O Tires, LLC v. Felix Bros., Inc., 2010 WL 2757367 (D. Colo. 2010) – defeated defendants’ motion to dismiss based on California statute voiding mandatory forum selection clauses in franchise agreements.
• MRW, Inc. v. Big O Tires, LLC, 2009 WL 3368438 (E.D. Cal. 2009) – obtained summary judgment for franchisor on franchisee’s California unfair business practice claim.
• Big O Tires, LLC v. Legacy Bank, ACB, 2008 WL 5095623 (W.D. Okla. 2008) – defeated motion to dismiss trademark infringement claim filed by purchaser of former franchised location.
• Halle Properties, LLC v. Bassett and Big O Tires, Inc., 2007 WL 2344931 (C.D. Cal. 2007) – successfully defended franchisor against competitor’s claim of interference with contractual relations.
• Bassett Seamless Guttering, Inc. v. GutterGuard, LLC, 501 F. Supp. 738 (M.D.N.C. 2007) – obtained settlement for distributor in territorial dispute with manufacturer and other distributor.
• Murray v. Cars Collision Center of Colorado, LLC, 2006 WL 456266 (D. Colo. 2006) – received summary judgment for employer on claim of discrimination in employment termination.
• Rhino Linings USA, Inc. v. Rocky Mountain Rhino Lining, Inc., 62 P.2d 3d 142 (Colo. 2003)- argued to the Colorado Supreme Court applicability of Colorado Consumer Protection Act to distributor relationship.
• Big O Tires, Inc. v. Bigfoot 4×4, Inc., 167 F.Supp. 2d 1216 (D. Colo. 2001) – obtained preliminary injunction for trademark owner against “monster truck” company attempting to expand its trade channel.
• Rocky Mountain Rhino Lining, Inc. v. Rhino Linings USA, Inc., 37 P.3d 458 (Colo. App. 2001) – received judgment for distributor for breach of contract and attorney fees against manufacturer in territorial dispute.
• Buttler v. Benson, 193 F.R.D. 664 (D. Colo. 2000) – successfully defended parents against son’s former business partner.
• U.S. v. Crumpton, 54 F.Supp.2d 986 (D. Colo. 1999) – pro bono criminal defense.
• I Can’t Believe it’s Yogurt v. Gunn, 1997 WL 599391 (D. Colo. 1997) – obtained permanent injunction for franchisor on franchisee’s post termination use of trademarks and trade dress. Enforced post termination covenant not to compete.
• Grease Monkey International, Inc. v. Ralco Lubrication Services, Inc., 24 F.Supp.2d 120 (D.Mass. 1998) – covenant not to compete and royalty litigation with ex-franchisee for franchisor.
• Mitel, Inc. v. Iqtel, Inc., 124 F.3d 1366 (10th Cir. 1997) – defeated copyright infringement claim of rival manufacturer based on functionality defense.
• Desktop Images, Inc. v. Ames, 929 F.Supp. 1339 (D.Colo. 1996) – defended publisher against author’s claim of copyright infringement.
• Haluska v. RAF financial Corp., 875 F.Supp. 825 (N.D.Ga. 1994) – compelled arbitration for securities brokerage firm.
• Smith v. Denver Food Systems, Inc., 1994 WL 551561 (E.D. Pa. 1994) – defeated franchisee’s claims against franchisor brought by franchisee after previous arbitration.
• Guiness PLC v. Ward, 955 F.2d 875 (4th Cir. 1992) – litigation involving enforcement of judgment obtained in the United Kingdom.
• Shell Oil Co. v. Commercial Petroleum, 928 F. 2d 104 (4th Cir. 1991) – obtained trademark injunction for oil company against reseller of product outside authorized distribution system.
• Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County v. Peterson, 1989 WL 1110897 (Va. Cir. Ct. 1989) – litigation involving dispute between developer and county.
• NBC Subsidiary (KCNC-TV), Inc. v. Broadcast Information Services, Inc., 717 F. Supp. 1449 (D. Colo. 1988) – obtained summary judgment for alleged copyright infringer on author’s claim for statutory damages and attorney fees.

Practicing: Appeals, Arbitration & Mediation, Commercial Disputes, Franchise & Distribution, Trademark & Copyright Infringement, Trade Secret Protection, Trademark and Copyright & Trade Secrets