Education: Dave earned his law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, and earned a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University.
Experience: Dave has been an intellectual property attorney for over 24 years and is a partner at Cislo & Thomas, LLP, where Dave has practiced for 18 years. Early in his career, Dave worked for other prominent Los Angeles area intellectual property law firms including Fulwider, Patton, LLP and Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP.
Prior to embarking on a legal career, Dave enjoyed an interesting and challenging career as an Aerospace Engineer developing aircraft and space vehicles at the Hughes Aircraft Company and the McDonnell Douglas Corporation. Hardware designed and developed by Dave is presently flying on the C-17 Globemaster aircraft and the International Space Station.
Dave’s practice involves all aspects of intellectual property litigation, as well as the procurement of patents, trademarks and copyrights.
Dave specializes in:
- Intellectual property litigation, particularly patent, trademark, trade dress and copyright litigation. Dave is a zealous advocator for his clients achieving favorable outcomes through precise, clear briefs, tailored arguments and the judicious use of procedure. Dave has litigated cases at both the trial and appellate level, including numerous TRO/preliminary injunction, summary judgment and Markman claim construction hearings.
- The procurement of patents in the mechanical, electro-mechanical, medical device and business method arts. Representative industries include automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, industrial lighting, medical devices and consumer products, among others. Acquiring patent protection is often critical in protecting your product development investment.
- Patent opinions, including freedom to operate, infringement and validity opinions. Freedom to operate opinions are desirable when you are bringing a new product to market and are concerned regarding a competitor’s patents. Infringement and invalidity opinions may be essential to protect against a charge of willful infringement when you have been accused of patent infringement and need legal advice as to whether your product infringes, or as to whether a competitor’s patent is valid.
Admissions: Dave is admitted to the State Bars of California and Texas, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, and various federal district courts, including the Northern, Central and Southern Districts of California.
Associations: Mr. Sandelands is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.
Representative Cases:
- Zox LLC v. John Zox et al, (C.D. Cal. 2021), representing the plaintiff in a trademark infringement action.
- Adam Weintraub v. Markus Beck & Sotheby’s International Realty, (Los Angeles Superior Court, 2020), representing defendant in trade name infringement action.
- ePlumbing Products, Inc. v. Kohler Co., (C.D. Cal. 2020), represented plaintiff in a trademark and antitrust action.
- Mr. T. v. Leafly Holdings, Inc. (C.D. Cal. 2019), represented plaintiff in a trademark infringement action.
- Akram v Fixmd., (C.D. Cal. 2019), represented defendant in a trademark infringement action.
- Blindlight, LLC v. Horseless Cowboy, LLC, (C.D. Cal 2017), represented plaintiff film production company in a misappropriation of trade secrets dispute with former employees.
- Blackbird Tech., LLC v. Tuffstuff Fitness International, Inc. (C.D. Cal. 2017), represented defendant in patent infringement action.
- The Walking Company Holdings, Inc. v. Aveo Mor, LLC (C.D. Cal. 2016), presently prosecuting a trademark infringement action on behalf of the plaintiff.
- FameFlynet, Inc. et al v. Patheos, Inc. (C.D. Cal. 2015), represented Defendant in an action brought by a copyright monetizing entity.
- COA Inc v. Home Meridian International, Inc. et al. (C.D. Cal. 2015), represented Plaintiff, a furniture manufacturer, in a trademark infringement action.
- American International Industries v. 21 Day Nails LLC, et al. (C.D. Cal. 2014), represented Defendant in a trademark infringement action.
- Kirby Morgan Dive Systems, Inc. v. Surface Supplied, Inc. (N.D. Cal. 2013), represented Plaintiff, a manufacturer of commercial diving helmets, in a trade mark and trade dress infringement action.
- George T Boris v. Steven Denenberg et al. (C.D. Cal. 2012), represented a plastic surgeon, in a copyright infringement action.
- Zoo Med Laboratories Inc. v. Topiary Art Works and Greenhouses LLC et al. (C.D. Cal. 2011), defended greenhouse products supplier in a trademark infringement action.
- Project Dimensions Inc. v. Project Dimensions LLC et al. (C.D. Cal. 2011), represented an architectural firm in a trademark infringement action.
- S. Energy Technologies, Inc. v. Deco Lighting Inc et al. (C.D. Cal. 2011), represented Plaintiff, a manufacturer of street lights, in a patent infringement action.
- H&C Headwear, Inc. v. Dri Duck Trades, Inc. et al. (C.D. Cal. 2010) – Represented a cap (headwear) manufacturer in a trademark infringement action.
- Homeland Housewares, LLC et al v. Euro Pro Operating, LLC et al. (C.D. Cal. 2009), represented Plaintiff in a false advertising action.
- All Cities Realty Inc v. Hollymax Realty Inc et al. (C.D. Cal. 2008), represented Defendant, a real estate brokerage, in a trademark infringement action.
- Sensitech Inc et al v. Budd T Pohle et al. (C.D. Cal. 2006), represented the Defendant, an owner of a manufacturer of electronic temperature monitors used in the produce shipping industry, in a patent infringement action.
- All Cities Realty Inc v. CF Real Estate Loans Inc et al. (C.D. Cal. 2005), represented Defendant real estate brokerage in a trademark infringement action.
- Ho et al v. International Edge et al. (Dist. Utah 2005), represented Defendant in a breach of manufacturing agreement lawsuit.
- California Home Spas Inc v. Brady et al. (CD Cal 2005) – Represented Defendants in trademark infringement action.
- Baratta v. Homeland Housewares (S.D. Florida 2005) – Represented Defendant in patent ainfringement lawsuit regarding novelty kitchen blenders.
- Homeland Housewares LLC v. QVC Inc. et al. (C.D. Cal. 2005), represented Plaintiff, a manufacturer of kitchen appliances, in a patent infringement action.
- Sensitech Incorporated et al v. Time and Temperature Company (C.D. Cal. 2005), represented the Defendant, a manufacturer of electronic temperature monitors used in the produce shipping industry, in a patent infringement action.
- Dave Kaplan Enterprises Inc v. Hoverboard International Inc et al. (C.D. Cal. 2005), represented Plaintiff, a manufacturer of electric motor powered skateboards, in a patent infringement action.
- Homeland Housewares LLC v. Joseph P Baratta (C.D. Cal. 2005), represented Plaintiff, a manufacturer of kitchen blenders in a patent infringement action.
- L A Printex Industries Inc v. Charlotte Russe Inc et al. (C.D. Cal. 2004) – Represented defendant, a bulk fabric printer, in copyright infringement action regarding printed fabric patterns.
- Sleepcare Inc v. Sleepcare Inc et al. (C.D. Cal. 2004), represented Plaintiff, a mattress manufacturer/distributer, in a trademark infringement action.
- R & M Jewelry Co v. AuraFin LLC (C.D. Cal. 2004), represented Plaintiff in an action to confirm an arbitration award.
- Studio RTA v. Ameriwest Industries Inc. (C.D. Cal. 2004), represented Plaintiff in a patent infringement action.
- L A Printex Industries Inc v. Macys Department Stores Inc et al. (C.D. Cal. 2004), represented the defendant, a bulk fabric pattern printer, in an action brought by a copyright infringement action.
- Sensitech, Incorporated et al v. Time & Temperature Company (Dist. MA 2004), represented Defendant in a patent infringement action, successfully transferred venue from Massachusetts to California
- Homeland Houseware LLC v. Youcansave.com Inc et al. (C.D. Cal. 2004), represented Plaintiff, a kitchen products manufacturer in a trade dress infringement action.
Publications:
Volunteer Service: Mr. Sandelands served as volunteer dispute resolution officer with the Los Angeles Superior Court, Torrance Courthouse. Serving in this capacity, Mr. Sandelands successfully mediated a variety of landlord-tenant and small claims disputes.
Contact: david@cislo.com
