Northern Virginia Business Litigation, Defamation, & Intellectual Property Law Firm

BerlikLaw LLC

201-F Royal Street
Southeast
Leesburg, Virginia 20175
USA

(703) 722-0670

(888) 772-0161

www.BerlikLaw.com

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Law Firm Overview FREE CONSULTATION

BerlikLaw LLC is a litigation boutique devoted entirely to trial practice, libel and slander issues, and the resolution of business disputes. The firm does not employ entry-level attorneys. Rather, it staffs each case with experienced, skilled trial lawyers, most of whom have backgrounds with large law firms in D.C. and Northern Virginia. Here, we put a premium not only on results but on winning efficiently and cost-effectively.

While the firm's commitment to winning is unyielding, it is tempered by business sense. We thoroughly analyze our clients' goals and approach each piece of litigation with a carefully considered strategy designed to maximize results at a minimum of expense. Whether we are representing a Fortune 500 business or a single-member LLC, we counsel all our clients in identifying the risks, determining a course of action, and managing the litigation costs.

BerlikLaw focuses on obtaining favorable results for its clients, both inside and outside the courtroom. Lead by AV-rated Virginia trial lawyer Lee E. Berlik, the firm is ranked in the top 3% of United States litigation firms. The firm is included in Best Attorneys Online and was selected in 2011 as one of the best intellectual property law firms in the Washington region. Clients trust us for advice in matters ranging from pre-litigation strategies and solutions to advice with respect to when and how to try cases.

The philosophy at BerlikLaw is to approach each case as though it will be tried, not settled. While most cases should, in fact, be settled, early trial preparation tends to lead to better results whether at the settlement table or in court, and sends a message to the other side that the outcome of the case will be guided by sound business considerations, not by the fear of trial that other litigation firms have.

At BerlikLaw, we believe that effective communication is vital to a successful attorney-client relationship. We take your calls and respond promptly to your emails, usually within one business day. Our clients receive reliable, responsive service and are involved at every step along the way. We answer your questions, provide frequent status updates, and take full ownership of the matters you entrust to us. We deliver personalized service and top quality work at very reasonable rates. Give us a try and reduce your company's legal costs. Serving clients is what we do.

Year this Office was Established: 2009

Areas of Law

Additional Areas of Law: Fraud Litigation; Tortious Interference; Partnership Disputes; Non-Compete Agreements; Trademark Infringement; Copyright Infringement; False Advertising; Trade Secret Litigation; Consumer Litigation; Non-Solicitation Agreements; Breach of Fiduciary Duty; Retaliation.

Areas of Law Description

BerlikLaw LLC offers legal representation and services in the following areas of practice:

- Business Litigation

BerlikLaw LLC's civil litigation lawyers, based in Fairfax County, Virginia, are experienced advocates who will vigorously protect your legal rights and business interests. We have successfully represented both businesses and their constituents, both as plaintiffs and defendants, in a wide range of litigation matters, including contract disputes, non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, intellectual property matters, theft of trade secrets, business fraud, and conspiracy. Whether we litigate to protect our clients' proprietary interests or defend them, our clients know that our straightforward analysis of their legal problems will allow them to make an informed business decision regarding litigation strategy and the direction and management of the case. If going to trial is advisable or required, we waste no time in putting our extensive trial experience to work for you.

* Business Conspiracy

Business conspiracy claims are usually nothing more than an effort by the plaintiff's attorney to connect a group of defendants to make it easier to collect a judgment or to allow him to plead for an award of "treble damages" and attorneys' fees. Even where such allegations are without merit, however, they require immediate investigation and must be treated seriously. With the proper legal counsel, you can usually emerge from such litigation unscathed.

* Fraud Litigation

When facing or bringing a fraud claim in Virginia, it is important that you retain an experienced local lawyer who understands the laws governing fraud and knows how to navigate those laws to obtain the results you need. At BerlikLaw, we are committed to defending our client’s assets and commercial interests. Our attorneys have years of experience handling a wide variety of fraud claims, including claims for negligent misrepresentation, constructive fraud, and fraudulent omission (i.e., fraud by silence), in both state and federal courts across Virginia and the District of Columbia.

* Tortious Interference

Business litigation often involves allegations that a competitor engaged in unfair competition or business tactics designed to injure the plaintiff's business. Such cases will only be successful, however, if the defendant business has crossed the line between legitimate competitive activity and tortious conduct. At BerlikLaw, our Virginia tortious interference lawyers help businesses around the state pursue claims against competitors, disgruntled former employees, and others who have tortiously interfered with their existing and prospective business relationships. We have the wherewithal to address unfair competition head on to protect our clients' business operations.

* Partnership Disputes

Disputes among partners or other business owners may arise from a failure to honor fiduciary duties, a failure to satisfy contractual obligations set forth in a partnership agreement, operating agreement, or other business contract, secret business dealings by a business owner that are not in the company's best interests, or any number of other scenarios. To avoid undue disruption in the day-to-day operation of the business, such disputes usually need to be resolved as expeditiously as possible. The attorneys at BerlikLaw are skilled at handling various forms of partner disputes and are experienced in obtaining appropriate relief swiftly and economically.

- Defamation - Libel and Slander

At BerlikLaw, we are very familiar with these rules and exceptions and use them to protect the rights of our clients. Our practice includes both litigation and counseling on a wide variety of media law and First Amendment issues, including defamation, privacy, newsgathering, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), challenges to governmental and private regulations of speech, commercial speech, advertising, copyright, and Internet and e-commerce. We also offer advice to our business clients on commercial disputes and trade libel claims raising these kinds of issues. We represent both plaintiffs and defendants in defamation cases. When approached by prospective plaintiffs who feel they have suffered damage to their reputation, we assess the validity and practical impact of the allegations and offer advice with respect to how to mitigate the harm, whether a cause of action exists, and the practical consequences of bringing suit.

- Contract Disputes

Our society depends on contracts to enable corporations and individuals to transact business and pursue their goals. Most business litigation handled by the Firm involves at least one contract dispute. The resolution of such disagreements can be a high-stakes matter for all involved. Business litigator Lee Berlik has successfully represented business of all sizes in countless contract disputes. Another option we offer our business clients, when available, is to submit their contract dispute to mediation, arbitration, or other alternative dispute resolution procedure. Oftentimes a confidential, inexpensive, and agreeable resolution can be reached through ADR, allowing the parties to continue transacting business with each other on favorable terms.

* Non-Compete Agreements

In Virginia, non-compete and non-solicitation agreements are enforceable only if they are narrowly drawn to protect the employer's legitimate business interests, are not unduly burdensome on the employee's ability to earn a living, and are not against public policy. While Virginia courts have recognized that businesses should be able to protect their client base from ex-employees who may leave their employ but continue in the same line of business, what is less clear is exactly which post-employment activities can be restricted before a non-compete becomes overly broad and therefore unenforceable. Guidelines have evolved over the years, but each case will turn on its particular facts.

* Government Contracts

The focus of our government contracts practice is on handling litigation arising out of the performance of a government contract or subcontract. While these proceedings are typically outside the claims and bid protest arena, the firm pursues all available avenues to protect our clients’ interests arising under federal contracts. Whether the dispute is in the federal district court for the Eastern District of Virginia or before the General Accounting Office or Court of Federal Claims, our Virginia attorneys will provide your business with the representation it needs to ensure its rights are protected and enforced.

- Intellectual Property

Intellectual property is a critical differentiator among businesses today for companies of all industries and sizes. Virginia businesses, including small businesses and traditional brick-and-mortar shops, need to develop sound IP strategies to acquire, protect, and leverage their intangible business assets, such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights. In today’s competitive marketplace, business viability may depend on careful management and protection of IP assets. The IP litigation practice at BerlikLaw ranges from patent litigation to litigation involving trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks, false advertising, unfair competition, and cybersquatting. At BerlikLaw, we ensure your case is brought before the appropriate state or federal court as expeditiously as possible, often in the Eastern District of Virginia’s “rocket docket” in Alexandria.

* Trademark Infringement

Trademark infringement litigation is often brought in Northern Virginia's federal court by experienced lawyers familiar with its deserved reputation as a fast-moving "rocket docket." With divisions located in Alexandria, Norfolk, Richmond, and Newport News, Virginia's "Eastern District" federal court is known as one of the most efficient in the country for handling intellectual property litigation such as matters involving trademark infringement. Our trademark lawyers are skilled navigators of the Virginia court system and are well-versed in both the Local Rules and the various pre-trial and standing orders that govern trademark litigation and trial practice in Virginia's federal courts.

* Copyright Infringement

BerlikLaw is committed to providing zealous, cost-effective and practical legal services and solutions to victims of copyright infringement, including photographers, musicians, artists, actors, authors, and businesses of all sizes. We understand our clients' technologies, industry environment, and business needs and use that expertise to assist you or your business in preventing or stopping the infringement of your copyrights, through litigation if necessary, and to obtain monetary damages from the infringers. We can also defend you if you have been wrongfully accused of copyright infringement in Virginia.

* False Advertising

Our false advertising lawyers have broad experience litigating false advertising and unfair competition cases in Virginia state and federal courts. Due to the gravity and swiftness of the harm false advertising can cause, false advertising litigation often calls for emergency injunctive relief in federal court. At BerlikLaw, we have the knowledge and resources to aggressively pursue or defend such cases. If another business is disparaging your product or otherwise attempting to gain unfair advantage in the marketplace through false statements, talk to an attorney at BerlikLaw to ensure your business is protected.

* Trade Secret Litigation

BerlikLaw is a trade secret law firm headquartered in Reston, Virginia. Our lawyers work closely with the firm's clients to help them obtain and secure the full protection of the intellectual property laws, including the law governing misappropriation of trade secrets. We focus on creating comprehensive trade-secret litigation strategies designed to maximize our clients' revenue. With offices in Fairfax County, Loudoun County, and Alexandria, the firm has a strong presence throughout Northern Virginia and our lawyers are very familiar with the area's state and federal courts, appearing in both venues regularly.

- Internet Law and Technology

BerlikLaw represents e-commerce businesses, government contractors and subcontractors, and numerous other technology companies involved in high-tech fields such as website development, software programming, and information technology ("IT"). Our Virginia law firm is based in Fairfax County, which has a higher concentration of high-tech businesses than Silicon Valley and is home to the Northern Virginia Technology Council, the largest technology trade association in the United States. Our Internet lawyers practice throughout Virginia, often dubbed the "Internet Capital of the World". Because we understand your business and culture, we are better positioned than most law firms to formulate a practical approach to addressing your particular legal concerns.

- Employment Law

The Firm represents employees across Virginia and the District of Columbia in employment-related matters including sexual harassment, discrimination, defamation, battery, retaliation, wrongful termination, and covenants not to compete. We also negotiate severance packages for clients who are leaving their employment. At BerlikLaw, we understand the unique economic and personal power an employer has over an employee and that trauma that can result from wrongs in the workplace. We fight to ensure the judge and jury is presented with a full picture of the financial, emotional and reputational damage done in these situations, using expert testimony as needed. If you have been the victim of unwelcome verbal or physical conduct based on your race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identification, national origin, age (if you are 40 or older), disability (mental or physical), or sexual orientation, or if you believe your employer retaliated against you for voicing opposition to discriminatory practices or treatment, we can help.

- Consumer Litigation

Consumer litigation focuses on the rights of individual consumers and may involve claims relating to unfair and deceptive trade practices, credit cards, privacy issues, insurance coverage, lemon laws, car fraud, car warranty, fair debt collection practices, vehicle repossession, truth in lending, and other disputes under state and federal consumer protection laws. The protections for the consumer stem from both common law and statutory schemes. This unfolding area of the law has evolved in response to the unfortunate way many large corporations have decided to treat their customers. Consumers often need competent legal counsel to stand up to abuse by massive companies concerned only with making a profit. While BerlikLaw is always prepared to take a case to trial, our first priority is to pursue our clients’ objectives. In many cases our strategies have led to negotiated settlements that are cost effective and consistent with our client’s goals, eliminating the need for litigation altogether.

- Mediation and Arbitration

Firm lawyer Lee Berlik is a strong believer and proponent of the benefits of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) proceedings such as mediation and arbitration. The Firm routinely suggests to its clients that they consider ADR when circumstances may be conducive to such proceedings. ADR often allows dispute resolution strategies that are consistent with business objectives that minimize the time company executives are called away from their day-to-day management duties, and that achieve results more quickly and less expensively than would be possible in litigation. Lee Berlik has experience guiding commercial disputes through arbitration before both the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and JAMS at locations across the United States.