Eric Ostroff. Managing Partner and Co-Chair, Trade Secrets and IP Group.

Trade Secrets & IP, Commercial Litigation,
Employment, Trial Practice

. Overview. About Eric Ostroff Eric Ostroff, Meland Budwick, P.A.’s Managing Partner, focuses his practice on business litigation and intellectual-property litigation. Chambers USA describes him as an “outstanding attorney” who “wins praise for his extensive experience in commercial disputes, with a notable expertise in trade secrets cases.” Eric is one of the youngest attorneys included in Chambers USA’s rankings of Florida commercial litigators. Businesses and individuals trust Eric to protect their interests in courts and arbitrations throughout Florida and across the country, often in bet-the-company cases. He regularly litigates a broad range of business disputes, including cases involving breaches of contract, business torts, officer/director fiduciary duties, business defamation, civil conspiracy, unfair competition, false advertising, real estate, and deceptive and unfair trade practices. He also represents plaintiffs and defendants in trademark and copyright infringement actions. Eric is an experienced trial lawyer who has tried many cases to verdict, before judges, juries, and arbitration panels. Eric helps businesses protect their trade secrets and proprietary information, both before and during litigation. He works with businesses to identify their trade secrets and ensure that they are taking all steps necessary to protect this critical information. And he has extensive experience prosecuting and defending trade-secret and noncompete actions, including obtaining emergency injunctive relief. For example, he obtained a jury verdict against a client’s former sales director, who secretly created a competing company using the client’s proprietary information. Eric has frequently been quoted in various media outlets regarding business litigation and trade-secrets issues, including the New York Times, Bloomberg, Reuters, and the Miami Herald. He is also the author of the Protecting Trade Secrets blog, which can be found at www.protectingtradesecrets.com. And he is frequently invited to speak throughout the country about trade secrets and intellectual property, as well as about using advanced technology in litigation. Before joining Meland Budwick, P.A.,  Eric worked for five years at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, where he was part of the Employment Litigation and Complex Commercial Litigation practice groups. . Education University of Miami School of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 2004 University of Miami Law Review Order of the Coif Emory University, B.A., Political Science, 2001 Memberships  The Sedona Conference Working Group on Trade Secrets, Drafting Team Co-Chair and Dialogue Leader American Intellectual Property Law Association, Trade Secrets Committee and Trademark Litigation Committee Section of Litigation, American Bar Association Trial Lawyers Section, The Florida Bar Member, Dade County Bar Association Awards/Rankings Ranked, 2017-2020, Chambers USA Guide, General Commercial Litigation AV-rated, preeminent in his field, by Martindale-Hubbell Legal Services of Greater Miami, 2019 Pro Bono Honoree Lawyers for Children America’s John Edward Smith Child Advocacy Award, 2006 Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP’s Pro Bono Service Award, 2005, 2006, 2007 Publications “Protecting Trade Secrets” blog protectingtradesecrets.com “Enforcing Noncompete and Nonsolicitation Agreements in Florida,” Daily Business Review, December 22, 2010 “5 Ways to Shrink the Threat of an Employee’s Exit to Proprietary Info,” Entrepreneur, April 29, 2014 “Seeking Trade Secret Protection? Don’t Rely on a Label.,”Entrepreneur, May 12, 2014 “Avoid These 6 Mistakes When Safeguarding Proprietary Information,” Entrepreneur, June 20, 2014 “The ‘George Costanza Defense’ to Stealing Trade Secrets, Entrepreneur,” October 21, 2014 “Lessons for Employers from Obama’s Push Back Against Noncompetes,” Daily Business Review, December 9, 2016 Bar Admissions State of Florida Southern District of Florida Middle District of Florida Northern District of Florida United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit . Office Number. 305.358.6363. Fax number. 305.358.1221 . Email. eostroff@melandbudwick.com Representative Matters. Trade Secrets & IP, Commercial Litigation. Represented Glenn Beck, Mercury Radio Arts, Inc., and TheBlaze, Inc. in multiple litigations in Texas and Delaware against the companies’ former CEO for violating a restrictive covenant and breaching his fiduciary duty.. Trade Secrets & IP, Commercial Litigation. Represented a national staffing company in a JAMS arbitration asserting claims against the company’s former president for, among others, misappropriation of trade secrets and breaching a non-compete agreement. Following a week-long trial, obtained judgment in our client’s favor on all counts.. Trade Secrets & IP, Commercial Litigation. Represented Crown Linen, LLC in a trade secrets, FDUTPA, and tortious interference claim against its former sales director, who started a competing company. Obtained a jury verdict in Crown Linen's favor.. Trade Secrets & IP. Represented a professional sports league in a trademark infringement, false advertising, and unfair competition action in the Southern District of New York, brought by a competing sports league. . Trade Secrets & IP. Represented large insurance company in litigation against former employees for stealing trade secrets. Obtained an emergency injunction.. Trade Secrets & IP. Represented medical supplies company in litigation and arbitration asserting misappropriation-of-trade-secrets claims against a former business partner.. Trade Secrets & IP. Represented electronics company in action brought by a competitor asserting misappropriation of trade secrets.. Trade Secrets & IP. Represented large real estate brokerage in litigation against former salespeople for violating restrictive covenant.. Trade Secrets & IP. Represented an international security company in non-compete dispute with a competitor.. Trade Secrets & IP. Defended healthcare company against claims of trademark infringement. . Commercial Litigation. Represented purchaser of a for-profit college in litigation against the seller for beaching the purchase and sale agreement. Obtained summary judgment.. Commercial Litigation. Represented a developer in a class action brought by unit owners in a downtown Miami high-rise condominium. . Commercial Litigation. Represented minority shareholder of a franchisor in litigation against the majority shareholders for breach of fiduciary duty.. Commercial Litigation. Represented note purchaser in commercial foreclosure action, obtaining foreclosure judgment. Later secured a $5 million judgment against the guarantors following trial in Miami-Dade Complex Business Court. . Commerical Litigation. Represented art purchaser in litigation against Art Basel art dealer asserting fraud claims.. Commercial Litigation. Represented Isle of Dreams, the owner of real property in Miami, Florida, in contentious state court foreclosure proceedings against Sunbeam Realty and Sunbeam Television (owned by Edmund Ansin) which include significant counterclaims.. Commercial Litigation. Represented the owner of commercial property on International Drive in Orlando, Florida in a commercial foreclosure action. Obtained a favorable workout that allowed our client to keep the property.. Commercial Litigation. Represented the owner of a retail shopping center in Pinecrest, Florida in a commercial foreclosure action. Negotiated a highly favorable settlement that allowed our client to keep the property.. Commercial Litigation. Represented Crown Linen, LLC in litigation with Miami-Dade County over water and sewer services.. Commercial Litigation. Representation the owner of commercial property in downtown Key West in multiple foreclosure actions and obtained a favorable workout that enabled the client to keep its properties.. Commercial Litigation. Represented 50% property owner in arbitration against co-owner for breaching operating agreement.. Commercial Litigation. Represented law firm in breach-of-contract dispute with former attorneys.. Commercial Litigation. Represented property owner in multimillion-dollar dispute with insurance company over damage to the property. . Commercial Litigation. Successfully defended various businesses against claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act and Americans With Disabilities Act.. Bankruptcy and Restructuring. Represented Lexi Development Company, Inc., the owner of the Lexi condominium mixed use development, in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy, in which the Debtor successfully eliminated default interest, avoiding foreclosure and preserving equity for the benefit of the Debtor’s principals.. News. The Biggest Hurdles For Attys Starting Jobs During COVID-19. August 7, 2020. 2020 Chambers USA Guide Ranks Five Meland Budwick, P.A. Attorneys, and Commercial Litigation, Bankruptcy Litigation, Bankruptcy/Restructuring Practices. May 7, 2020. $3M Miami Suit Against 'Cannabis King' Will Test Commercial Rights in Flailing Economy. April 10, 2020. Investor Says 'Cannabis King' Ran Off With Millions. April 10, 2020. Burner Phones, Sexy Strangers: How IP Thieves Are Targeting Lawyers. April 2, 2020. How South Florida Law Firms Are Getting Bigger Returns With Less Risk. March 20, 2020. 10 Steps to Help Protect Customer Data. December 3, 2019. Meland Budwick, P.A. Partner Eric Ostroff Invited to speak at this year's Sedona Conference on Trade Secrets. November 18, 2019. Copyright Infringement: Are You Stealing Intellectual Property?. September 16, 2019. Digital Transformation: Beware the Legal Details. August 12, 2019. 11 Cybersecurity Experts Share Tips for Preventing and Minimizing Data Breaches. August 9, 2019. 2019 Chambers USA Guide Ranks Meland Budwick, P.A. And It's Attorneys In Bankruptcy/ Restructuring and Commercial Litigation. May 2, 2019. 8 Florida Cases to Watch in 2019. January 9, 2019. Judge lets lawsuit over drone racing trademarks drone on. November 27, 2018. How to Prevent Data Theft While Traveling Abroad: Trade Secrets Lawyer Advises GCs, Companies. October 26, 2018. Eric Ostroff on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence in the Legal Profession. June 22, 2018. 2018 Chambers USA Guide Ranks Meland Budwick, P.A. And Its Attorneys in Bankruptcy/Restructuring And Commercial Litigation. May 29, 2018. Facebook Wants to Play Dating Game—Its Lawyers Could Face IP, Trade Secret Challenges. May 17, 2018. Home Health Care Companies Protected by Noncompete Pacts. September 18, 2017. Defend Trade Secrets Act: Lessons From Year 1. May 11, 2017. Lessons for Employers from Obama’s Push Back Against Noncompetes. December 9, 2016. Glenn Beck Media Outlet Says Texas Suit Trumps Del. Filing. September 13, 2016. Glenn Beck’s News Outlet Says Ex-CEO Can’t Get Indemnity. August 24, 2016. Trade Secrets Bill Clears House, Obama to Sign Into Law. April 27, 2016. MOVERS: Senior-level hires and promotions. February 10, 2016. Meland Budwick, P.A.’s Eric Ostroff Named Administrative Partner. January 15, 2016. 5 Questions In The Cardinals Hacking Scandal. July 20, 2015. Cruise Excursion Insurer Wins Injunction Against Ex-Workers. April 10, 2015. Ariz. Deepens States’ Rift On UTSA Preemption. November 22, 2014. The ‘George Costanza Defense’ to Stealing Trade Secrets. October 31, 2014. Avoid These 6 Mistakes in Safeguarding Proprietary Information. June 26, 2014. 5 Ways to Shrink the Threat of an Employee’s Exit to Proprietary Info. April 30, 2014. Hedge Fund Spars With a Nameless Blogger. March 17, 2014. Labor and Employment in 2013: Looking Back and Forward. December 27, 2013. 6 Key Ingredients For Pop-Up Restaurant Deals. October 28, 2013. Hotels, Celeb Chefs Turn To New Option On Negotiation Table. September 26, 2013. 5 Ways To Craft An Ironclad Celebrity Chef Deal. September 16, 2013. MRB. Contact us, Our attorneys, careers. About. Firm overview, Our Values, Community involvement, Representative matters. Pracrtice. Real Estate, Commercial Litigation, Receiverships and Assignments, Bankruptcy and Restructuring. In the News, Announcements, Film Videos. 2018 Meland, Russin, Budwick. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.