Michelman & Robinson

Torin A. Dorros represents clients in the Entertainment & Media, Healthcare & Pharmaceutical, and Internet, Software & Technology industries, among others, in sophisticated appellate and transactional matters worldwide. Mr. Dorros has an intimate understanding of the complex and continually evolving mobile, digital, social media, technology, telemedicine and e-health landscapes. As such, his transactional practice is primarily focused on brand development and protection and digital and technological "connectivity" modalities, including mobile devices/technologies, social media and networking, internet, wireless and telecommunications.

Mr. Dorros has represented clients in both state and federal appellate and trial courts including the United States Supreme Court, as well as provided strategic appellate trial counseling and substantive motion practice advise at the trial level for cases worldwide. He has represented countries, multibillion-dollar multinational corporations, and national trade associations in sophisticated and ground breaking appellate and trial level matters. He has successfully represented clients in complex issues involving the Foreign Sovereign Immunity Act, medical peer review confidentiality, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, tort liability for blood banks’ transfusion procedures, Medicaid/Medicare rate reimbursement disputes, the Lanham Act/trademark infringement/false advertising/trademark dilution, the Copyright Act/copyright infringement, domain names, online advertising, entertainment “credit” disputes, invasion of privacy and publicity rights, the Federal Arbitration Act, the National Bank Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Truth in Lending Act, state and federal lending laws, securities violations, multimillion dollar premises liability, large scale construction defect, wage and labor law, and sophisticated commercial disputes.

Mr. Dorros represents clients in an array of matters including branded entertainment, advertising, and sponsorship of mobile and wireless technologies and consumer packaged goods. He also has significant experience representing clients involved in the creation, development, and publication of graphic novels and comic books as well as animation (including new media formats) and special, digital, and visual effects, and their related industries and businesses, including video games,  mobile content/applications/games, and film/television/webisodes.

He regularly advises on issues related to telemedicine as well as e-health and represents healthcare clients on the development, financing, and operations of telemedicine ventures and projects worldwide. Mr. Dorros also represents health care professionals and institutions in sophisticated corporate, administrative and regulatory matters.

Mr. Dorros has handled numerous corporate transactions and well as complex commercial litigation and appeals for companies both in the technology industry and/or related to a company’s technology.

As a result of his expertise in sophisticated appellate and trial level strategic counseling and complex business transactions, Mr. Dorros is also often called upon to advise clients in a number of other industries, including Aerospace, Financial Services, Food & Beverage, Hotel & Travel, Manufacturing & Distribution, and Retail & Apparel.

Speaking Engagements
Keyword Advertising and Trademark Infringement Protecting Brands and Avoiding Liability in Online Advertising, Strafford Legal Publications, May 11, 2011

Significant Past Media, Technology, and Branded Entertainment, and Intellectual Property Transactional Representation
Represented world recognized branded entertainment and advertising company in numerous large-scale sponsorship deals including for the New York Marathon and high profile entertainment projects

Successfully negotiated and closed sponsorship deals with companies such as Time, Inc., InStyle Magazine, American Express, Aman Resorts, Avid, Panavision, Subaru, and the United Nations for film festival

Represented Internet Service Provider (ISP) in asset purchase deal

Represented award winning CGI animation and special effects studio in entertainment deals

Represented client in television performance and rights deal for Bravo reality television show New York Prep

Represented high profile photographer with respect to nationally broadcast television show Chef Story

Represented film producers and production companies with respect to securing rights to film projects and necessary financing, production, and distribution agreements

Represented production designers in contract negotiations on film and television deals

Represented musicians and bands regarding production, distribution, performance, and licensing of artists’ works

Significant Past Media, Technology, Branded Entertainment, and Intellectual Property Appellate Practice and Litigation Representation
Successfully secured order vacating preliminary injunction on novel internet advertising trademark appeal in the Ninth Circuit (See Advertise.com, Inc. v. AOL Advertising, Inc., 616 F.3d 974 (9th Cir. 2010)

Successfully represented media production company in copyright infringement and breach of contract matter securing significant settlement in favor of company

Successfully represented restaurant in trademark dilution action securing favorable settlement for restaurant

Successfully defended leading technology company/internet provider (ISP) in directors securities litigation

Successfully represented plaintiff international electronics consumer products manufacturer on federal breach of contract and copyright and trademark infringement case

Successfully represented international jewelry manufacturer in federal copyright infringement case
Successfully represented editor of award winning film God Grew Tired of Us in employment and credit dispute

Significant Past Non-Media Appellate Practice and Litigation Representation
Successfully defended the Republic of Taiwan in tort action in federal district court and on appeal in the Ninth Circuit related to Foreign Sovereign Immunity Act

Represented physician on petition for certiorari to the United States Supreme Court on novel issues related to peer review confidentiality and The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act

Successfully defended on appeal national association for blood banks regarding blood banks' duties of care as to handling of blood and transfusions

Successfully defended international oil and energy company in tort case seeking more than $100 million in damages

Successfully defended food vending machines manufacturer in multi-million dollar breach of contract appeal

Successfully defended international hotel chain in multi-million dollar federal court premises liability action

Successfully defended international hotel chain and contractors in multi-million dollar federal construction defect action regarding hotel collapse in Guam

Successfully represented nationally recognized New York City restaurateur in defamation dispute

Successfully represented financial trader/investment banker in breach of contract and employment dispute with brokerage house

Significant Past Non-Media Transactional Representation
Represented international aerospace company in $500 million asset sale and acquisition

Represented heliport lighting manufacturer in asset purchase sale

Represented waste management technology company in asset purchase and supply agreement 

Represented physician groups and health care institutions in practice sales

Representative Cases
Schug v. Burrows, 119 S.Ct. 2063 (Mem) (U.S. 1999)
N.N.V. v. American Association of Blood Banks, 1999 WL 977982 (Cal.App. 4th Dist. 1999)
Sun v. Taiwan, 201 F.3d 1105 (9th Cir. 2000)
Townes ex rel. Estate of Townes v. Cove Haven, Inc., 2004 WL 2403467 (S.D.N.Y. 2004)
Small v. Brodsky, 41, LLC, 775 N.Y.S.2d 853 (1st Dep’t 2004)
Nuzzo v. Horn, 25 A.D.3d 342, 805 N.Y.S.2d 836 (1st Dep’t 2006)
McLean v. Bell, 824 N.Y.S.2d 907 (2nd Dep’t 2006)
McLean v. Bell, 2006 WL 3734319 (2nd Dep’t 2006)
Advertise.com, Inc. v. AOL Advertising, Inc., 616 F.3d 974 (9th Cir. 2010)