Real Estate Office
Resume:
TM
** *. ***** ****** ***: (***) ***-BASS (****)
R ep r es en t in g th e C re a t iv e + En t r e p r en eu r ia l
Suite 1000 Fax: 614-***-****
Of Counsel Chester Willcox & Saxbe, LLP
Columbus, Ohio 43215 abqeyl@r.postjobfree.com
Admitted in Ohio & the United States Virgin Islands
www.LeonBass.com
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Leon Bass is the go-to up and coming intellectual property attorney and most
th
established entertainment attorney in the region. Now in his 14 year of practice, Leon
has built a solid reputation locally and nationally for his solid legal counsel in trademark,
copyright, entertainment law, general business and real estate transactions as well as
litigation in those arenas. Leon has been named a Super Lawyer rising star for the
past two years and is a six-time winner of Corporate INTL s Law Firm of the Year.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2010 Present: Adjunct Professor, Otterbein University
Instructor of Music Law course. Extensive coverage of copyright law, trademark law, contract law
as well as music industry legal and business issues applicable to recording, publishing and touring.
1998 - Present: Private Practice Attorney (Of Counsel, Chester Willcox & Saxbe, LLP)
Founded and cultivated successful boutique law firm from the ground up. Developed progressive
marketing strategies and business management processes. Developed a loyal client base.
Practice concentration in transactional and litigation areas of trademark and copyright law, general
business law, entertainment law, real estate and computer and internet law.
Named Rising Star in intellectual property by Law and Politics Magazine, 2010, 2011.
Wrote and published numerous articles on copyright, trademark, and related areas.
Regular speaker and presenter on practice area concentrations.
Of Counsel, Chester Willcox & Saxbe, LLP (2009 Present): Chester Willcox & Saxbe is an AV rated,
full service law firm with a 125 year history and stellar reputation as a premier litigation and general
business law firm. The firm has a rich history of prestigious attorneys, many of whom have held public
office, and some even reaching the highest offices such as US and Ohio Attorney General, US and Ohio
Senator and Representative, the Ohio Supreme Court and Ohio Lieutenant Governor. Chester Willcox
& Saxbe LLP Ranked in Metropolitan First Tier of U.S. News - Best Lawyers 2010 and 2011-2012 "Best
Law Firms" List. In addition, about 1/2 of its attorneys are ranked "Super Lawyers" or Super Lawyers
Rising Stars by Law and Politics Magazine.
2004 - 2008: Of Counsel to Rich Crites & Dittmer, LLC, an AV rated, 16 attorney full service law firm
with over 50 years of service. The firm s core practice groups include real estate tax and appeals,
municipal law, business transactions, white collar crime, collections, and civil litigation.
Facilitated new marketing initiatives for Rich Crites & Dittmer and the Law Office of Leon Bass using both
web based marketing and direct marketing.
Effectively implemented and maintained inventive firm process improvement systems and strategies
that utilized the latest technology to create highly efficient, paperless mobile office.
Attorney Representative Clients include clients that range from of multi-billion dollar entities to small
companies involving issues in intellectual property, entertainment, real estate and business matters
These include a concentration of clients in the music, entertainment, real estate, and construction
industries including concert venues, record labels, publishing companies, booking agents, managers,
artists, film producers, construction companies, real estate developers, and condominium
associations. Clients have included or currently include:
o o Columbus Bicentennial 2012, Inc
American Municipal Power
o 175 South Third (office building purchase)
o Capitol South Urban Redevelopment Corporation
o 33 N High St. (office building purchase and sale)
o Columbus Downtown Development Corporation
Leon David Bass, Esq. Page 2 of 4
o o
Buckeye Lake Music Center (AKA Legend Valley, a Armada, Ltd.
o
40,000 plus capacity concert venue) Century Resources, Inc.
o Innovative Beverage Group, Inc (Houston, TX) o Crossroads Community Development Corporation
o John Kadlecik (guitar player and singer for national o USTA (United States Trotting Association)
act Furthur, consisting of members of the Grateful
o Walther Productions (major East Coast concert
Dead)
promoter)
o Quiet Riot (nationally touring band)
o Ashley Talent (major international booking agency)
o The All Good Festival (Major Music festival)
o Dark Star Orchestra (nationally touring band)
o MurphyEpson
o o
Able Roofing Night Ranger (nationally touring band)
o Stillwater Asset Management Fund (large New York o Fatty Koo (nationally touring band)
hedge fund) o Rock Never Stops (nationwide tour featuring Ted
o Pagetech, Ltd.
Nugent)
o Coe Photographic, Inc.
o Cumberland Trail Condominium Association
o DeRoiser Insurance
o Yearling Green Apartments
o Stone Creek Condominium Association
Representative Cases and Matters:
o Defense of trademark infringement and USPTO opposition proceedings brought by large
corporation in federal district court (Texas) against local business client. Obtained judgment in
favor of client invalidating Plaintiff s long owned and well known industry specific registered
trademark, receiving national trade press
o Served as Expert Witness in copyright and trademark infringement case against Microsoft
o Obtained dismissal in defense of multi-million dollar breach of concert promotion agreement for
US national tour for Quiet Riot, Ted Nugent, Night Ranger, and Slaughter
o Defended record label against copyright infringement and breach of contract claims by national
recording artist
o Defended a large concert venue in a civil fraud case
o Represented a national beverage distributor and manufacturer in a trademark action in federal
court against competitor manufacturer
o Represented a condominium association against a developer for breach of agreements and
statutory violation
o Represented commercial photography studio in copyright infringement case against large
companies
o Defended national beverage distributor in several trademark lawsuits and USPTO matters
o Representation in multi-million dollar commercial real estate transactions involving downtown
office building
Prior Legal Experience:
Ohio Attorney General, Columbus, OH, July 1996-April 1997
o Prepared motions and pre-trial briefs in the Court of Claims Defense Section
Dean Nancy Rogers, Ohio State University College of Law, May-August 1996
o Pro bono litigation - pleadings, legal research, litigation strategy, and investigation
Rhino Records, Legal and Business Affairs, Los Angeles, CA, May-August 1997
o Prepared, drafted, and negotiated songwriter, licensing, and other music industry contracts
Famous Music Publishing Company, Legal Affairs, Los Angeles, CA, May-August 1997
o Drafted and analyzed publishing contracts, including synchronization and master use licenses
MCI WorldCom Advanced Networks, Hilliard, OH, Sept.-Oct. 1998
o Drafted, negotiated, and analyzed contracts for Fortune 2000 companies
Summers, Anthony & Vargas, Columbus, OH, May 1996-Sept. 1998
o Drafted state and federal appellate briefs, complaints, oral arguments
H. Lee Thompson & Co., L.P.A., Columbus, OH, May-July 1996
o Prepared and managed client files, prepared legal research memos, engaged in negotiation
Law Office of Scott Marshall Neuman, East Lansing, MI, Summer 1994
o Prepared briefs, motions, pleadings, and oral arguments
Leon David Bass, Esq. Page 3 of 4
BAR ADMISSIONS
Ohio (1998)
US Virgin Islands (2009)
United States District Court, Southern and Northern District of Ohio (1998, 2011 respectively)
Federal District Court in Houston, TX and San Diego, CA (Admitted Pro Hoc Vice) (2009-2010)
AWARDS, SPEECHES and PUBLICATIONS
Super Lawyer, Rising Star, 2010, 2011 (Cincinnati Magazine)
Law Firm of the Year, Corporate INTL Magazine, six time winner:
o Entertainment Law Firm of the Year in Ohio and the US Virgin Islands
o Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year in Ohio in the US Virgin Islands
o Food & Beverage Law Firm of the Year in Ohio and the US Virgin Islands
Editor, Making It by Matthew Crumpton, Esq. and Tristan Kinsley (book on music industry)
Author, Everything You Need to Know about Trademark Protection and Registration
Author, Why You Can't Copyright Your Song If You Have Already Written It!
Author, Takin' Care of Business: A Band's Basic Business Guide"
Author, Will You Face The Music? Music Downloading 101
Author, "When to Consider Trademark Protection and Registration" 2009
Author, "Brand due diligence saves millions" Columbus Business First, May 14, 2010
Speaking engagements include: Columbus Bar Association, CLE course, The Ohio State University Moritz
College of Law Sports & Entertainment Law Association; Capital University Law School Sports &
Entertainment Law Association; Midpoint Music Festival; AllBiz Music Conference; Undercurrents
ORGANIZATIONS, AFFILIATIONS and ACTIVITIES
Columbus Bar Association member of the Columbus Bar Association's Ethics Committee.
Virgin Islands Bar Association member of Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee
Capitol Square Rotary - President and Board of Directors, multiple committee leadership roles
Musicon, LLC - President and Chairman of the Board
Hocking College Former Board of Advisors, music program
Columbus Community Festival - Board Member, Entertainment Selection Committee
Music in the Round Founder and chairperson of annual charity concert for anti-domestic violence non-profit
Greater Columbus Local Music Awards Founder and Executive Producer
Photography Produced award-winning photographs; concentration in underwater coral reef life
Music Performs in various musical acts on guitar, mandolin and vocals
SCUBA certified by PADI, extensive dive experience
EDUCATION
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Columbus, OH: Juris Doctor, May 1998
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI: Bachelor of Arts with Honor, July 1995
o Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science with Business Cognate
o Additional Major: Psychology
Leon David Bass, Esq. Page 4 of 4
REFERENCES
David Butler J. Anthony Kington
Litigation Chair/Partner Corporate and Business Chair/Partner
Chester Willcox & Saxbe, LLP Chester Willcox & Saxbe, LLP
65 E. State St. Ste 1000 65 E. State St. Ste 1000
Columbus, OH 43215 Columbus, OH 43215
abqeyl@r.postjobfree.com abqeyl@r.postjobfree.com
Jeffrey A. Rich Charles R. "Rocky" Saxbe
Senior Partner, CEO Managing Partner
RICH & GILLIS LAW GROUP, LLC Chester Willcox & Saxbe, LLP
6400 Riverside Dr., Suite D 65 E. State St. Ste 1000
Dublin, OH 43017 Columbus, OH 43215
abqeyl@r.postjobfree.com abqeyl@r.postjobfree.com
Frank A. Ray James V. Maniace
89 East Nationwide Boulevard Real Estate, Land Use & Financing Co-Chair/Partner
Suite 200 Chester Willcox & Saxbe, LLP
Columbus, oh 43215 65 E. State St. Ste 1000
abqeyl@r.postjobfree.com Columbus, OH 43215
614-***-**** abqeyl@r.postjobfree.com
John W. Bentine Joe Keglewitsch
Environmental, Energy & Regulated Industries Schottenstein Zox & Dunn Co., LPA
Chair/Partner Partner
Chester Willcox & Saxbe, LLP 250 West Street
65 E. State St. Ste 1000 Columbus, OH 43215
Columbus, OH 43215 abqeyl@r.postjobfree.com
abqeyl@r.postjobfree.com 614-***-****
Donald C. Brey Andrew C. Emerson
Ethics & Professional Responsibility, Chair Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP
Campaign & Election Law, Co-Chair Partner
Partner 41 South High Street
Chester Willcox & Saxbe, LLP Suites 2800 - 3200
65 E. State St. Ste 1000 Columbus, OH 43215-6194
Columbus, OH 43215 abqeyl@r.postjobfree.com
abqeyl@r.postjobfree.com 614-***-****
is solid legal counsel in trademark,
copyright, entertainment law, general business and real estate transa
Contact this candidate