More than 60 years ago, Ron embarked on a career in international trademark law as a way to ensure that his work would enable him to pursue his love of travel. In 1969, he joined with Peter Weiss, Heinz Dawid, and Alvin Fross to form Weiss, Dawid, Fross & Lehrman – now known as Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu, P.C. Thanks in large part to Ron’s dedication, depth of knowledge, personal charisma, and understanding of client needs, the firm quickly acquired a clientele of prominent U.S. and foreign trademark owners and established itself as a leading firm in the field.
A cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School, Ron had a storied career protecting some of the world’s best known brands, and he was widely recognized as one of the leading international trademark lawyers of his time. In addition to conceiving and implementing innovative worldwide trademark filing strategies for leading brand owners, Ron successfully handled litigations around the world.
Among numerous other wins, Ron secured a decision of the Supreme Court of Japan recapturing the TABASCO trademark from a Japanese trademark pirate, protected the copyright and trademark of BOZO THE CLOWN in the Supreme Court of Mexico, and, in the U.S. federal courts, protected the ROLLS-ROYCE grill and Flying Lady hood ornament against sellers of kits to replicate those marks on Volkswagen and Chevrolet automobiles.
Ron received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Trademark Association in 2010. Within our firm, Ron was a leader in creating a warm culture of gifted intellectual property lawyers. He also prided himself on building a firm that would sustain, devoting untold time and energy to ensuring that the next generation of firm lawyers were prepared to expand on the founders’ achievements.
Ron was a teacher without equal and an invaluable resource, always providing a reassuring presence and generously sharing his extensive knowledge and life wisdom. His intellectual and moral elegance, good sense, and unfailing decency have been a model of professionalism and a source of strength. We are deeply saddened by this loss, but we are comforted by the many happy memories and life lessons that Ron imparted to all of us.