News
Jim Astrachan's second Letter to the Editor was printed in the April 13, 2008 edition of The Baltimore Sun
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Jim Astrachan's Letter to the Editor was printed in the March 16, 2008 edition of The Baltimore Sun
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Jim Astrachan Submits Testimony in Favor of Cameras in the Criminal Courtroom
On February 5, 2008 Jim submitted testimony in support of cameras in the criminal courtroom to the Maryland House Judiciary Committee on behalf of the MD/DC/DE Broadcasters Association.
Click here to read Jim's testimony.
Jim Astrachan Testifies in Favor of Cameras in the Criminal Courtroom
On November 5, 2007 Jim traveled to Annapolis on behalf of the MD/DC/DE Broadcasters Association to testify before the Special Judiciary Committee to Study Extended Media Coverage to urge that news cameras be permitted in Maryland's criminal courtrooms. Jim was quoted in The Baltimore Sun as saying "I'm sad to say, Maryland lags far behind the majority of states in its permissiveness. The Constitution demands a fair trial. Televising a trial makes it more accessible, more public ... more fair."
Click here to read Jim's testimony.
Meredith Blake Martin and Julia A. Carolan Join the Firm
June, 2007
Click here to view the press release
Jim Astrachan and Astrachan Gunst Thomas Take Over Authorship of THE LAW OF ADVERTISING, published by Matthew Bender - LexisNexis
(Click Here for more information.)
Charles F. Morgan Joins the Firm
April,2007
Click here to view The Daily Record announcement.
Peter Argues a Big One and Wins
On March 22, the crew headed to D.C. to hear Peter Gunst oppose and defeat Defendant Convera Corporation's summary judgment motion in the U.S. District Court in a trade secret misappropriation and copyright infringement case dealing with computer code. A jury trial is expected to be scheduled shortly.
Advertising Association Opposes House Bill 448 (Sales Tax)
Members of the Baltimore creative community met at our offices to discuss actively opposing Maryland House Bill 448, which is scheduled for hearing on March 14th. The bill would impose a sales tax on services not included in the state's current law, including numerous advertising-related services.
Opponents of the bill argue that it would harm Maryland business by placing it at a disadvantage and force customers to obtain services in other states that do not tax. While in theory the immediate influx of revenue would appear to cure the state's projected deficit, realistically it will only temporarily alleviate the deficit. The proposed bill will place local businesses in financial harm's way, which can only dampen our economy in the long term.
A New Face at the Firm
Astrachan Gunst Thomas is pleased to welcome our new law clerk, Molly Dennison. Molly will be with us full time except when her law school classes at Maryland get in the way. Welcome Molly!
The Verdict Is In
Astrachan Gunst Thomas has been named by the readers of SmartCEO Magazine as one of the leading law firms in the Baltimore area. We couldn't be more proud of this prestigious honor bestowed upon our firm by the Baltimore Business Community.
Click here to view SmartCEO's profile on AGT.
Congratulations to Jim Astrachan
After many pro hac vice admissions in Pennsylvania, Jim Astrachan has become a member of the Pennsylvania Bar and has also been admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Jim Astrachan Again Named as a Best Lawyer in America for Intellectual Property and Advertising Law in 2007
Congratulations to Jim Astrachan for being named one of the Best Lawyers in America for intellectual property and advertising law . Jim was named through a national nomination process by American Lawyer Media in partnership with Best Lawyers in America.
Astrachan Gunst Thomas Named by SmartCEO Magazine as one of the Areas Leading Law Firms
We are happy and proud to be included.
Jim Astrachan Named one of the Best Lawyers in America
Congratulations to Jim Astrachan for being named one of the Best Lawyers in America. Jim was named through a national nomination process and has been named twice by Baltimore Magazine as one of Baltimore's Best Attorneys.
Two Astrachan Gunst Thomas Lawyers Named Maryland Legal Elite
Congratulations to Jim Astrachan and Julie Rubin for being selected Maryland's Legal Elite by SmartCEO Magazine. Jim and Julie were nominated by colleagues, clients, business owners and industry leaders. According to the selection criteria, recognition indicates that an attorney's abilities are worthy of peer acclaim and that he or she has achieved a distinct level of excellence in the law.
Jim Astrachan Featured in Fortune Magazine
Apparently, the terrains of I.P. law aren't the only areas Jim's able to navigate. Now he's taking on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and (eventually) the Atlantic Ocean.
Jim's new hobby has sailed him right into the pages of Fortune Magazine's February 6th issue. The article, "Dreams Afloat" by George Sass, Jr., describes Jim's discovery of sailing as a remedy for stress. It relates how Jim began by taking certification classes and now is secure enough with the lines to bring friends and associates on board for the "three-hour cruise." Rumor has it he is always on the lookout for crew. And no one has been reported missing (yet).
Jim Astrachan in City Paper
Jim is featured in City Paper. As President of the Advertising Association of Baltimore, Jim was unhappy with the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association's (BACVA) selection of a California and Canada based agency, rather than one of Baltimore's agencies, to develop a new slogan and logo for Baltimore City. In a letter to the Baltimore advertising community, Jim expressed his strong opinions against the decision. You may recall BACVA paid $500,000 for this work, although the City Paper reported that Cincinnati got it for free from the same folks BACVA hired. You may also recall that BACVA went outside Baltimore to hire a branding agency because it did not want its new agency to be "biased." Did BACVA know that its choice, the one that branded Cincinnati, had an office in that city? Did BACVA know that "Charm City" was created by a local agency guy and given to the City for free? Who's watching these guys? The full story is available at City Paper Online
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