Brian Graffeo is a co-founder of Williams, Graffeo & Stern LLC. Mr. Graffeo focuses his practice on all aspects of dispute resolution including trial and appellate practice in federal and state courts in New York and New Jersey. Mr. Graffeo also has experience representing officers, directors, and other individuals in internal investigations, complex commercial litigation, derivative, and merger litigation as well as defended individuals and companies against breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract claims in various state courts.
With respect to his labor and employment practice, Mr. Graffeo represents employers in a wide range of employment litigation disputes including cases alleging discrimination, breach of contract, employment torts, non-compete violations and wage and hour violations. In addition to representing clients in litigation filed by employees, he advises his clients on employee hiring, drafting and amending employment contracts, amicable terminations and dismissals. He also regularly advises on partnership and employment disputes (such as disciplinary processes, dismissals, unlawful discrimination claims, disputed member removals, bonus and remuneration disputes, and enforcement of confidentiality and non-competition obligations). Mr. Graffeo also regularly counsels clients on the structure, content and drafting of various employment and corporate framework documents including contracts, terms of admission, handbooks and termination documents.
In addition to his extensive labor and employment experience, Mr. Graffeo has served as lead trial counsel in numerous trademark, copyright, and trade secret disputes. Mr. Graffeo represents clients in a wide range of intellectual property matters, both contentious and non-contentious. He advises clients on brand protection and enforcement, including trademark prosecution and trademark litigation as well as licensing agreements and other corporate transactions involving intellectual property assets.
Brian Graffeo also specializes in advising and guiding businesses at various stages of development, from launch to exit. He has broad experience in a variety of industries and provides valuable guidance to clients in the areas of business formation, employment, intellectual property protection and financing.
Prior to forming Kaplan, Williams, Graffeo & Stern LLC, Mr. Graffeo worked at a major U.S. law firm, where he advised sizable corporations on both transactional and litigation matters including employment issues, copyright and trademark infringement and contractual disputes. His experience also includes representing insurance companies in trial and appellate litigation.
Mr. Graffeo is a graduate of Binghamton University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and History. He received his Juris Doctorate from St. John’s School of Law.
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