Dufour, James Anthony

Frank Duffin is a partner in the firm's Corporate Practice Department and is chair of the Trademark Group. Mr. Duffin's practice focuses on assisting clients in the development, protection and exploitation of their trademarks, copyrights and other proprietary works.

Formerly a Trademark Examining Attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Mr. Duffin practices all aspects of domestic and international trademark law, trade name and domain name matters. Mr. Duffin counsels clients on clearance, procurement, and maintenance of their trademarks, providing strategic planning and management of domestic and international trademark portfolios. As part of the global management of client's portfolios, Mr. Duffin coordinates and oversees all phases of international litigations, oppositions and cancellation proceedings, including proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Mr. Duffin also advises clients on enforcement and policing of their proprietary rights, including domain name disputes, coordination of investigations of potential infringers, risk/benefit analysis concerning actions against potential infringers, implementation of effective enforcement strategies, negotiating settlement and coexistence agreements, licenses and other creative methods of resolving conflicts.

Mr. Duffin is a member of the Intellectual Property Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, The American Bar Association, The International Franchise Association, the Institute of Trademark Attorneys ("ITMA"), and the International Trademark Association ("INTA"). Mr. Duffin has served on various INTA committees, currently serving on the Anti-Counterfeiting Committee of INTA's Policy Development and Advocacy ("PDA") Committee. Mr. Duffin co-authored "Best Practices in Protecting and Enforcing Trademarks, Copyrights, and other Intellectual Property Rights" published in the Winter 2009 issue of the Franchise Law Journal; and co-authored "Post-Termination Internet Violations: Who Fixes and How?" appearing in Franchising World August 2007. Mr. Duffin is included in The Best Lawyers in America (2008-2009).

Mr. Duffin graduated with a B.A. from Central Connecticut State University. He received his J.D. from the University of Bridgeport School of Law, currently known as Quinnipiac University School of Law, and is a member of the Phi Delta Phi legal honors fraternity.