Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu, P.C.

Craig Mende’s unique, broad practice spans trial and appellate litigation, complex transactional work, and client counseling – all relating to different aspects of intellectual property, including copyrights, trademarks, right of publicity, and diverse new media issues.

Perhaps most importantly, Craig provides sought-after counsel to clients seeking answers to new kinds of questions, frequently involving rebranding and innovative uses of social media, including issues with celebrities. He has developed guidelines on proper use of third-party materials on social media, developed a protocol for determining when material needs to be licensed, and advised on innovative TV programming concepts.

Craig has won trial verdicts and summary judgments in federal court that have been affirmed on appeal and handled complex transactions for clients including the owners of a beloved children’s entertainment property. He drafts, negotiates, and advises on trademark and copyright licenses, as well as purchase, distribution, coexistence, music, and website agreements. Craig’s clients represent diverse industries ranging from film, television, and music to hospitality, financial services, apparel, and consumer goods.

Craig is a former member of the firm executive committee. Prior to joining Fross Zelnick, Craig was a litigation associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, and he was also an in-house lawyer at a major record label.