Brendan Palfreyman

Brendan focuses on intellectual property matters and commercial litigation, and he has significant experience efficiently and promptly reviewing corporate contracts. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants in patent, trademark, copyright, and trade dress infringement actions. He also prosecutes trademark and copyright applications in the United States and globally, and is frequently before the TTAB in cancellation and opposition proceedings. Brendan is also an experienced commercial litigator, having represented clients in federal and state courts, as well as arbitration hearings, with regard to everything from breach of contract to covenants not to compete.

Brendan is well-versed in the bourgeoning area of artificial intelligence law. He is certified by the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, in Generative AI for the Legal Profession. He stays abreast of the patchwork of AI regulations emerging at the federal, state and local level, such as Colorado’s first-in-the-nation comprehensive AI law and the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act, and can help businesses stay in compliance. He also reviews contracts with AI vendors and can help set up internal corporate policies governing the use of generative AI.

A niche focus of Brendan’s practice is representing and counseling craft breweries and other alcohol producers with regard to everything from corporate formation and licensing to M&A and distribution contracts. He is an award-winning homebrewer and one happy client even named a beer after him. Brendan has been quoted in various publications about legal issues facing the alcoholic beverage industry, including the Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, and San Francisco Chronicle.

Brendan is also heavily involved in the cannabis industry in New York and is a key member of the firm’s Cannabis Industry Team. He helps MSOs and local operators navigate the complex and rapidly changing regulatory scheme in New York and protect their intellectual property.

Prior to joining Harris Beach Murtha, Brendan completed a federal judicial clerkship for Judge Joan M. Azrack in the Eastern District of New York and was a litigation associate in the Manhattan office of Proskauer Rose LLP.