The Legal 500

Within Marketing and advertising, Davis & Gilbert LLP is a first tier firm,

New York advertising, marketing and media boutique Davis & Gilbert LLP advises on the creation, production and dissemination of advertising across all media, focusing on interactive technology and consumer generated content. Clients rely on the ‘top-notch’ firm for ‘complex risk assessments and navigating difficult situations’. Lawyers are commended as ‘responsive and timely with sound, pragmatic advice, but tough when necessary’. The 19-partner group focuses primarily on transactions and counseling. Contentious work includes false advertising cases and cases of first impression involving unsolicited advertising, internet advertising and pre-sale promotional trade mark use. The practice advises industry trade associations, notably the American Association of Advertising Agencies (AAAA) and the American Advertising Federation (AAF) in filing formal comments to the FTC regarding proposed changes to its environmental marketing guidance and negotiating the new standard terms and conditions for internet advertising, which were facilitated and endorsed by the major trade associations for the advertising industry and digital web publishers. Clients include leading advertising agencies BBDO Worldwide, J Walter Thompson, Ogilvy & Mather and TBWA Chiat Day and global brands MTV Networks, Apple, Affinion and Nissan. In 2010, the litigation team successfully defended helmet manufacturer Cascade Sports before the NAD in an advertising challenge brought by Bauer Hockey. Marc Rachman represented Harpo, owner of the Oprah trade marks, and Dr Oz against over 40 manufacturers and marketers of products containing unauthorized use of Oprah and Dr Oz’s names, images or likenesses. The case settled in September 2010. Clients recommend practice head Ronald Urbach as ‘best in the field – responsive, knowledgeable, practical – and a pleasure to work with’. James Johnston’s ‘entertainment background and calming approach’, Joseph Lewczak’s ‘broad knowledge base’, Howard Weingrad’s ‘astute business approach’, and ‘strong all-rounder’ Richard Eisert are also praised.