Ms. Newton is a partner and member of the firm's Business & Corporate Transactions Practice Group. Her practice focuses on intellectual property and franchise matters, and she bears the Certified Legal Specialist designation in the area of Franchise and Distribution Law from the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. She has expertise in representing franchise start-ups as well as established franchise systems, managing their registrations, renewals, and relationship issues, as well as defending against adverse and nuisance claims.
Ms. Newton also advises clients on trademark and copyright issues, including trademark prosecution, licensing matters, and regularly consults with clients on issues including creation and registration of new marks, expansion of marks internationally, licensing intellectual property, developing strategies to protect and enhance intellectual property, policing marks and works against infringing use, and responding to allegations of infringement. She also advises on issues raised by new forms of media, including domain name disputes.
She has extensive experience litigating business disputes in both federal and state court, including matters involving franchise relationships, trademarks, trade secrets, and confidential business information.
