Major Honor Presented to MBBP Marketing Department at National LMA Conference 04/18/2013
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in Client News, MBBP news.Tags: legal marketing, LMA, your honor awards
add a comment
The Legal Marketing Association (LMA) selected Morse, Barnes-Brown & Pendleton, P.C. (MBBP) as the First Place winner in the “Identity – Projects Totaling Up to $20,000″ category. The LMA Your Honor Awards program recognizes excellence in legal marketing by promoting projects and programs that provide innovation and return on marketing dollar investment. MBBP was also honored with a Second Place win in the “Promotional and Collateral Materials – Announcement” category at the 2013 Your Honor Awards.
The marketing team of Jaclyn Jefgood and Alyssa Ritchie was presented with these prestigious industry awards for its entries “A Prescription for Swag” and “MBBP Announces First Move in Firm History” respectively. The awards were conferred at the 2013 LMA Annual Conference on April 9, 2013 at the Aria Resort in Las Vegas.
MBBP’s marketing department was also recognized in March by the LMA New England Chapter for “A Prescription for Swag”, earning a second place finish.
Learn more about the about the awards, please visit LMA.
Innovation Center TechSandBox Launches at Becker College 04/03/2013
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in Client News, MBBP news.Tags: accelerator center, Becker College, techsandbox
add a comment
On March 27th TechSandBox, Inc., an innovation center and accelerator, announced its official launch and facility opening in Southborough, MA. In partnership with MBBP client Becker College, TechSandBox’s center will house about 20 entrepreneurs, focused in the science or technology spaces across all industries and applications, with room for a co-working entrepreneurs’ bullpen, panels, seminars, and networking events.
MBBP is a proud sponsor of TechSandBox and provides it with critical expertise and financial support.
To learn more, please see TechSandBox article in the Boston Globe.
MBBP Marketing Team Recognized at LMA New England Your Honor Awards 03/29/2013
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in MBBP news.Tags: legal marketing, LMA, your honor awards
add a comment
By: Laurie Macdonald
On March 27th, the MBBP Marketing Team, Jaclyn Jefgood and Alyssa Ritchie, was recognized at the New England Legal Marketing Association‘s Your Honor Awards which salutes creativity and excellence in legal marketing. Jaclyn and Alyssa were awarded a second place finish in the category of Identity – Projects totaling up to $20,000 for their now-famous logo-shaped candy dispenser and test tubes created for use in our exhibit booth at the BIO Technology International Convention in June of 2012.
The Your Honor Awards event also served as a reminder that our Marketing Department, which consists solely of Jaclyn and Alyssa, is competing for recognition against Boston’s “big” firms, which have (literally) ten times the personnel and much larger budgets. Their creativity and inventiveness were rightly acknowledged as award-winning by a jury of Boston area marketing specialists.
Congratulations Jaclyn and Alyssa!
A special thanks and congratulations to 42 | design fab studio, inc. for its custom design and manufacturing of our award-winning candy dispenser!
MBBP Firm Administrator Laurie Macdonald to be Honored by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly 03/27/2013
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in MBBP news.Tags: excellence in the law, laurie macdonald, mass lawyers weekly
add a comment
Each year, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly hosts its annual Excellence in the Law event, celebrating excellence throughout the legal community. Individuals are honored in categories such as Up & Coming Lawyers, and Excellence in Pro Bono, Marketing, Firm Administration and Operations. MBBP is proud to announce that Firm Administrator, Laurie Macdonald, has been selected as an honoree in Excellence in Firm Administration for her outstanding accomplishments throughout 2012.
Congratulations Laurie!
MBBP Immigration Event: Alternatives to H-1B Visas 03/20/2013
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in Events, Immigration, Legal Developments, MBBP news.Tags: h-1b visa, immigration, STEM extention
add a comment
On Thursday, May 9th MBBP is hosting a complimentary immigration event on the topic of “Alternatives to H-1B Visas“. With the economy steadily improving, over the past two years the H-1B cap has been reached very quickly. The most recent year, it was reached in approximately two months.
This timely event will provide an overview of other visa options employers have to utilize the best available talent, including: 17 Month STEM Extensions, L, TN, O, E and B visas. We will address the advantages and pitfalls of each visa category, and will also host a question and answer session.
Please visit our event page for more details and to register.
Wage & Hour Tip: Understanding the Frequency of Payment Rules 02/26/2013
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in Employment, MBBP news, New Resources.Tags: payment frequency, wage and hour
add a comment
Did you know that an employer who does not pay its non-exempt employees every two weeks may technically be violating Massachusetts law? Read February’s Wage & Hour Tip for more information on payment rules.
Please feel free to contact MBBP’s Employment Law Group with any questions.
MBBP Welcomes Attorney Andrew M. Bunin 01/22/2013
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in Attorney News, MBBP news.Tags: Intellectual Property, patent attorney, patent preparation and prosecution
add a comment
MBBP is pleased to announce that Attorney Andrew M. Bunin has joined the firm as an associate. Andrew is a registered patent attorney practicing in all areas of intellectual property law including patent preparation and prosecution, trademark prosecution, and intellectual property portfolio management. Andrew specializes in a range of technologies including communication devices, nanotechnology, computer software and hardware, optics, medical devices, mechanical devices, electronics, and diagnostics. He has experience performing intellectual property analysis regarding patentability, freedom to operate, and infringement.
Prior to joining MBBP, Andrew practiced at an intellectual property specialty law firm in the Boston area. Andrew has in-house experience in the legal departments of a large corporation in the surgical field, a mid-size government contract company, and a biotech start-up company. Prior to his law career, Andrew worked as a Patent Examiner at the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Andrew holds a B.S. in Biological Resources Engineering from the University of Maryland and a J.D. from Franklin Pierce Law Center (now University of New Hampshire School of Law). Currently, Andrew is pursuing certificates in Computer Engineering Technology and Electronics Technology as well as a degree in Electronic Engineering Technology from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell.
Please contact Andrew with any IP law questions.
Employment Attorney Scott Connolly Rejoins MBBP 09/05/2012
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in Attorney News, MBBP news.Tags: employment attorney, employment law, scott connolly
add a comment
MBBP is pleased to welcome back Scott Connolly to our firm and our growing employment law practice. Scott has broad experience, both as in-house and outside counsel, helping employers achieve their business objectives while complying with federal and state employment laws. For more than 10 years, he has guided employers through the full spectrum of issues that arise from the employment relationship, including those issues most likely to lead to litigation such as wage/overtime disputes, employee discipline and performance problems, sexual harassment and other workplace investigations, terminations, and reductions in force. Scott focuses on providing employers with practical advice, protective policies, key employment agreements, and workplace training to prevent expensive and resource-consuming litigation and to help businesses protect their customer relationships and intellectual property.
Scott also has extensive employment litigation experience and has successfully tried cases through jury verdict. He regularly represents clients before state and federal courts and agencies, including the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Labor, in cases involving claims of employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage-hour violations, and litigation involving non-competition and trade secret matters.
For more information on our labor and employment law practice, please visit our practices page.
Please contact Scott with any employment law questions.
MBBP Ranks 10th and 9th in 2012 VC Report for Eastern US 08/30/2012
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in MBBP news.Tags: financing, vc report, venture capital
add a comment
In WilmerHale’s 2012 Venture Capital Report, Morse, Barnes-Brown & Pendleton, P.C. ranked 10th on the list of Top Counsel to Companies Receiving VC Financing from 2007 through 2011 and 9th on the list of Top Counsel to VC-Backed Companies at Year-End 2011. The findings are based on companies located east of the Mississippi River that completed a round of venture capital financing. This marks the 9th consecutive year in which MBBP has been recognized as a leader in the WilmerHale VC Report.
To learn more, please visit out VC practice area page or view some of our pertinent articles and newsletters.
MBBP Welcomes Amsterdam Attorney Through LEI Exchange 07/06/2012
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in MBBP news.Tags: law exchange international, levenbach advocaten
add a comment
On July 9th MBBP will host Daniël Sjouke, an associate from the firm of Levenbach Advocaten located in Amsterdam, as part of a three-week exchange between Law Exchange International (LEI) members. The program is meant to foster a closer connection among LEI organizations and also provide the opportunity for attorneys like Daniël to broaden the scope of their practice and experience.
We are excited to have Daniël with us and we hope he enjoys his time in Boston with MBBP.
MBBP is Beaming from BIO 06/28/2012
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in MBBP news.Tags: BIO Convention, boston, Life Sciences
1 comment so far
MBBP Convention Giveaways: Candy-Filled Test Tubes
The 2012 BIO International Convention has come and gone, and MBBP is pleased to have been a part of it. The convention drew 16,505 industry leaders from 49 states and 65 countries, enabling us to meet many interesting people. Visitors to our exhibit booth were treated to test tubes filled with candy from our custom dispenser.
Clients and friends of the firm in the industry also joined us for an evening cocktail reception on Boston’s waterfront at Morton’s Steakhouse. We enjoyed spending time with all of our guests on such a beautiful summer night. Photos of our exhibit booth and reception can be found below!
To download or view our materials from the convention, please visit our BIO Resources page.
BIO 2012 Convention Floor
MBBP Custom Candy Dispenser
BIO Convention Exhibit Booth
Awaiting the MBBP Cocktail Reception on Morton’s Patio
Reception Giveaways: Lobster-Bake-in-a-Bag
MBBP May Immigration Alert: H-1B Cap Update and Employment-based Immigrant Visa 05/18/2012
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in Legal Developments, MBBP news.Tags: h-1b visa, immigrant visa, immigration alert, USCIS
add a comment
MBBP has released a new Immigration Alert which discusses the possibility of the 2013 H-1B Visa Cap (both “regular” and “U.S. Master’s”) being reached by June as well as the cut-off dates for Employment-based Immigrant Visa for all countries. Our Alert also provides a link to an H-1B Cap Information chart which shows the USCIS updates and anticipated H-1B cut-off date based on current usage.
Please see our May Immigration Alert to learn more.
Contact our Immigration Practice Group with any questions on this topic.
Tales from the Entrepreneurial Trenches: Series “A” to Successful Exit 05/10/2012
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in Events, MBBP news.Tags: exit plan, series a financing, vc funding
add a comment
On Thursday, June 7th, MBBP is hosting a VC event at the Cambridge Innovation Center on the journey from company formation and Series “A” round to eventual exit. This program will share how four entrepreneur panelists have addressed the issues facing venture backed companies and their approach to achieving a successful exit.
Moderator:
Kyle Alspach, Startups and VC Editor, Boston Business Journal
Panelists:
Mike Dornbrook, Former COO, Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
Nesbitt W. Hagood, Founder, Pixtronix, Inc.
Vanessa Green, CEO, OnChip Power
4th panelist TBA
For more information, directions, or to register, please visit the event page: Series “A” Tales from the Trenches.
Intellectual Property Today Names MBBP a 2012 Top Trademark Firm 05/10/2012
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in MBBP news.Tags: ip today, top trademark firm, trademark
add a comment
In the May 2012 issue of Intellectual Property Today, Morse, Barnes-Brown & Pendleton was named 71st on the list of the 2012 Top Trademark Firms in the country, jumping 7 spots from last year. This year, the list is comprised of 142 law firms/individuals that are ranked according to the number of U.S. trademark registrations issued in 2011 where the firm or individual is listed as the legal representative on the registration.
For the full list, please click here.
Visit our website for more information on our trademark practice!
MBBP Welcomes Attorney Grant Godfrey 05/09/2012
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in Attorney News, Immigration, MBBP news.Tags: attorney, immigration
add a comment
MBBP is pleased to announce that Attorney Grant Godfrey has joined the firm as an associate. Grant concentrates his practice in immigration law. Prior to Morse, Barnes-Brown & Pendleton, he was an associate at Blake J. Godbout & Associates where he worked on a variety of litigation, transactional, and bankruptcy issues.
After receiving his undergraduate degree, Grant worked as a paralegal at McNamara, Koenig & McCarthy (now McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter), and then at Morse, Barnes-Brown & Pendleton, where he focused on business-based immigration law. He then changed careers and worked at Bullhorn, a software company, as a hybrid account and project manager before attending law school.
Please feel free to contact Grant directly.
Update on the H-1B Cap 05/02/2012
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in Legal Developments, MBBP news.Tags: h-1b visa, immigration alert, USCIS
add a comment
As you are aware, the FY 2013 H-1B season opened on April 1st. The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services provides regular updates on the number of petitions that it has received. Recent updates indicate that the cap will very likely be reached faster than it has been in the past couple of years.
You can find more information in a brief article we have written here. We advise all employers who expect to sponsor a cap-subject employee for an H-1B visa to contact us immediately if they have not already done so.
MBBP Says Goodbye to Reservoir Place 04/24/2012
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in MBBP news.Tags: mbbp, moving, new address
add a comment
As of April 30th, MBBP will be leaving Reservoir Place for the first time in 19 years to enter a brand new office at CityPoint in Waltham, MA.
Our new address will be:
Morse, Barnes-Brown & Pendleton, PC
CityPoint
230 Third Avenue, 4th Floor
Waltham, MA 02451
Phone and fax numbers will remain the same. Click here for map and visit our attorney page to update individual v-cards.
We look forward to seeing you in our new space!
U.S. Court of Appeals Enjoins NLRB from Enforcing Posting Requirement on NLRA Rights 04/20/2012
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in Employment, Legal Developments, MBBP news, New Resources.Tags: ela, national labors relations act, nlrb
add a comment
MBBP has released a new Employment Law Alert (ELA) which discusses a recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit that temporarily blocked the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from implementing and enforcing a rule published by the NLRB on August 30, 2011. The rule was set to go into effect on April 30, 2012, and requires employers to post a notice to employees informing them of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act, including rights to act together to improve wages and working conditions, to form and join a union, and to bargain collectively.
To learn more on the decision, please read the full alert.
MBBP Q1 2012 VC Spotlight: Seed Convertible Note Discounts; Superior Court Ruling on Noncompetition Agreements 04/04/2012
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in MBBP news, New Resources.Tags: convertible note discounts, noncompetition agreement, VC spotlight
add a comment
Seed Convertible Note Discounts: Reconciling “Stock” and “Liquidation Preference” Premiums
By: Jonathan Gworek
Convertible notes have become the security of choice for early stage startups looking to raise seed capital. Convertible notes are perceived to be a simpler alternative to preferred stock. When a convertible note converts, it typically does so at a discount to the price paid in the next round. As a result, the promissory note will convert into a number of shares that reflects a premium level of stock ownership. But there is a second and lesser appreciated premium often associated with convertible notes. When notes convert into the next round of equity at a discount, not only does the noteholder get more equity per dollar invested as described above, but the noteholder may also get the benefit of an aggregate liquidation preference that is associated with that premium number of shares.
It is important to recognize this distinction between the “stock ownership premium” and the “liquidation preference premium” that results from the conversion of notes at a discount. There are approaches that can be used to eliminate the liquidation preference premium if that is not the intended result of the discount. For a full discussion of the differences between the stock ownership premium and the liquidation preference premium resulting from the conversion of notes, and the alternatives that are available for dealing with the liquidation preference premium, please click here.
Superior Court Rules Start-up Can Enforce Former Executive’s Noncompetition Agreement
By: Scott Bleier
Over the past four years, there has been ample legislative discussion and speculation amongst lawyers regarding the enforceability of noncompetition agreements under Massachusetts law. During this time, multiple bills have been filed with the Massachusetts House of Representatives which, if passed, would substantially limit – and, in some cases, abolish – the enforcement of most noncompetition agreements. Notwithstanding this ongoing dialogue and a perceptible shift towards disfavoring noncompetition agreements in Massachusetts, a recent Superior Court decision illustrates that properly drafted noncompetition agreements continue to be enforced judicially in the Commonwealth and further serves to remind established and start-up companies alike of the need to be mindful of the impacts of these contractual restrictions. For more on this development, please click here.
Visit MBBP to view our full VC Spotlight.
Less than 100 Days Until BIO 2012! 03/09/2012
Posted by Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton in Events, MBBP news.Tags: BCEC, BIO International Convention, boston, Life Sciences
add a comment
We’re looking forward to seeing you at the 2012 BIO International Convention, returning to Boston June 18-21! This global event will bring 20,000-25,000 Life Sciences industry attendees to the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and will be host to more that 120 educational breakout sessions over its four day span. As a leading legal services provider to the Life Sciences industry, Morse, Barnes-Brown & Pendleton is excited to be a part of BIO 2012. We’d love to know if you’ll be attending!
Visit our BIO webpage to see how MBBP’s getting involved and how to join our mailing list.
