Franchise Law
Harold R. "Hal" Bruno III
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Hal specializes in franchise and intellectual property litigation and arbitration. He also has a wide range of experience in trademark registration and commercial litigation.
Hal is admitted to practice law in Colorado, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia as well as the United States Courts of Appeals for the 1st, 4th, 9th, 10th, and Federal Circuits.
Hal is an approved arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association. He is a member of the American Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Law Section, the ABA Forum Committee on Franchising, the International Trademark Association, and the South Asian Bar Association.
Hal is listed in Best Lawyers in America® for Franchise Law and was selected as the 2016, 2018, and 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” for Franchise Law in Denver. He has also been recognized as a Super Lawyer® in either franchise law or intellectual property litigation since 2010 and has earned an AV rating from his peers through Martindale-Hubbell. Most recently, Hal was selected as a “Legal Eagle” by the Franchise Times. Hal was President of Temple Micah from 2007 to 2009 and volunteers for the Rocky Mountain Immigration Advocacy Network.
Overview
- University of Colorado at Boulder, J.D., graduated 1985
- University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, BS, graduated 1982
- Colorado, Colorado Bar Association
- Wyoming, Wyoming State Bar
- District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar
- American Arbitration Association - Approved Arbitrator
- American Bar Association Forum on Franchising - Member
- Colorado Bar Association - Intellectual Property Section - Member
- Intellectual Property Inn of Court Colorado Chapter - Member
- Temple Micah - Past President
- State of Colorado
- State of Wyoming
- District of Columbia
- United States Courts of Appeals for the 1st, 4th, 9th, 10th, and Federal Circuits
- Colorado, Colorado Bar Association
- Wyoming, Wyoming State Bar
- District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar
- American Arbitration Association - Approved Arbitrator
- American Bar Association Forum on Franchising - Member
- Colorado Bar Association - Intellectual Property Section - Member
- Intellectual Property Inn of Court Colorado Chapter - Member
- Temple Micah - Past President
- University of Colorado at Boulder, J.D., graduated 1985
- University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, BS, graduated 1982
- State of Colorado
- State of Wyoming
- District of Columbia
- United States Courts of Appeals for the 1st, 4th, 9th, 10th, and Federal Circuits
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Franchise Law, Denver (2022)
- Franchise Law, Denver (2018)
- Franchise Law, Denver (2016)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Franchise Law
Awards:
- Recognized as a Super Lawyer in Intellectual Property Litigation by 5280 Magazine since 2010.
- Martindale-Hubbell AV rated attorney since 2005.
- 2013 Best Lawyers in America - Franchise Law
News & Media
Case History
Cases
- Trial Counsel
Big O Tires, LLC v. JDV, LLC., 2008 WL 47877619 (D. Colo. 2008) - enforced covenant not to compete for franchisor against terminated franchisee under Colorado law. Big O Tires, Inc. v. Bigfoot 4x4, Inc., 167 F. Supp. 2d 1216 (D. Colo. 2001) - obtained injunction for trademark owner against "monster truck" company attempting to expand into retail automotive business. Rocky Mountain Rhino Lining, Inc. v. Rhino Linings USA, Inc., 37 P.3d 458 (Colo. App. 2001) and 62 P.3d 142 (Colo. 2003) - received judgment for distributor for breach of contract and attorney fees against manufacturer in terrritorial dispute. Argued to Colorado Supreme Court applicability of Colorado Consumer Protection Act. Mitel, Inc. v. Iqtel, Inc., 124 F.3d 1366 (10th Cir. 1997) - defeated copyright infringement claim of rival manufacturer based on functionality defense. Shell Oil Co. v. Commercial Petroleum, 955 F.2d 104 (4th Cir. 1991) - obtained trademark injunction for oil company against reseller of product outside authorized distribution system.
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