Mark D. Brutzkus

For almost 30 years, Mark has successfully represented apparel, footwear and retail industry clients facing unique, industry-specific issues that only a seasoned attorney can efficiently address.  From trademarks, copyrights, e-commerce and sourcing to distribution, labor compliance, mergers and acquisitions and regulatory concerns, Mark, year after year, brings his wealth of legal and industry knowledge to every deal and dispute his clients face.  In addition, Mark continues to build strong relationships with apparel, footwear and retail professionals so he can employ every tool possible to achieve the best results for those who hire him.

Mark has significant experience defending apparel industry manufacturers in wage and hour claims, including AB 633 issues and joint liability matters, before the California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) and the U.S. Department of Labor. He also advises clients on contracting issues, and he conducts preemptive compliance for a wide range of entities.

Mark is a recognized leader among apparel and garment professionals and in educational programs within the professional community. He is a lecturer at the University of Southern California Business Expansion’s Apparel Industry Entrepreneur program and at UCLA Extension management classes. He worked to create the Contractor Compliance Certification Program as a Coalition of Apparel Industries board member.

He is a former President of the City of Hope Apparel Industries Group, which raises funds for the cancer treatment center, and an active member and leader of several apparel industry associations and philanthropic organizations.

Education

• DePaul University College of Law (J.D., 1986)
• University of Illinois at Urbana (B.S., Finance, 1982)

Admissions

• State Bar of California

• Successfully closed a deal on behalf of an overseas company which purchased an international soft goods company based in New York, including transfers of intellectual property, customer relationships and other assets and involved the formation of a new corporate entity.  The deal closed in approximately one month.
• Timely safeguarded the print graphics of a junior manufacturer to extend the commercial life of the design.  The aggressive prosecution of mark infringement resulted in payment to the manufacturer.
• Numerous cases involving the cost-effective negotiation of commercial retail lease agreements.
• Prosecution against a major retailer on charge-back claims.
• Numerous sales, purchases and mergers of apparel manufacturers to domestic and multinational manufacturers.
• Used the assignment for the benefit of creditors in a case involving an insolvent swimwear manufacturer to allow a new company to come into existence, purchase the assets of the debtor and continue the manufacturer’s operation with no interruption.
• Initiated involuntary bankruptcy proceedings against a sportswear maker to obtain highly favorable recoveries for clients.

• American, California and Los Angeles County Bar Associations
• California Fashion Association
• Commercial Finance Association
• Textile Professional Club
• National Board of Trustees, National Jewish Health
• Board Member, New Community Jewish High School
• President, City of Hope, Apparel Industries Group
• Board Member, Fashion Industries Guild, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
• Lecturer at University of Southern California Business Expansion Program, Apparel Industry Entrepreneur Program

• Thomson Reuters Southern California “Super Lawyers” (2007-Present)

• Quote, “Legal Patterns,” Los Angeles Business Journal (Nov. 2015)
• Quote, “Are patent trolls taking over the fashion industry?” Fortune (Oct. 2015)
• Speaker, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (June 2013)
• Panelist, Kingpins (Jan. 2013)
• Quote, “Fast Fashion Fomenting a Wave of Copyright Infringement Cases,” Apparel News (Oct. 2012)