
James R. “Sonny” Chastain, Jr.
Partner Phone: 225.389.3706
Fax: 225.388.9133
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"I work closely with clients as a collaborative partner in all aspects of their business. Whether clients seek guidance on navigating complex litigation, negotiating or litigating contractual issues, or addressing business growth challenges, I am committed to helping them achieve their unique goals. I help our clients in protecting their intellectual property, providing business advice and in addressing commercial disputes of any type."
Commercial litigator and trusted advisor, Sonny Chastain, guides businesses and individuals through all types of complex federal and state court litigation claims. He also advises on the ownership and protection, of critical intellectual property assets.
Sonny serves as counsel on all types of contract negotiation and commercial litigation, banking litigation and consumer finance, breach of fiduciary duty, and unfair trade practices. He advises on issues involving truth in lending, fair debt collection practices, antitrust law, RICO matters, employment/non-compete agreements, software licensing, arbitration agreements, investment suitability, and broker relations.
Moreover, Sonny navigates clients through copyright and trademark registration prosecution, brand management, and IP infringement litigation. He also addresses insurance coverage disputes and serves as a mediator in commercial disputes, injury/property damage, and insurance coverage claims.
Sonny’s clients benefit from his effective advocacy skills and practical business advice. He is valued for his candid, clear, and practical counseling style that keeps clients fully apprised of the law, their options, and the status of their matter.
Outside the courtroom, Sonny is well-versed in handling arbitrations and mediations involving intellectual property and other business disagreements. Beyond advocacy, Sonny regularly counsels clients on all types of commercial and IP-driven transactions, a sampling of which includes licensing, employment, franchise, and development agreements.
Sonny’s character, judgment, business and legal acumen, and multi-dimensional understanding of the underlying causes that drive a dispute are the result of decades of hard-earned experience. Sonny delivers a creative and balanced approach to problem-solving, collaborating with his clients to flourish.
- Representation of employees in defending former employer claims of unfair trade practices, tortious interference, breach of confidentiality agreement, and breach of fiduciary duty.
- Representation of employees and employers in addressing noncompete and nonsolicitation agreements.
- Representation of a major financial institution before United States Fifth Circuit in a case affirming a district court ruling by enforcing an arbitration agreement signed by a borrower as part of a loan transaction and sale of credit insurance; the court concluded that the McCarran-Ferguson Act did not reverse pre-empt the FAA and the borrowers were not entitles to a trial by jury so the agreement was not unenforceable due to the alleged high costs of arbitration.
- Representation of a designer/manufacturer of works of art in a copyright infringement and unfair competition action in the United States District Court.
- Representation of an automobile dealership before the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in defending a class action suit alleging truth in lending violations and consumer fraud.
- Representation of a manufacturer in defending allegations of vertical price restraint and price fixing.
- Representation of a financial advisor in a FINRA arbitration proceeding regarding breach of fiduciary duty.
- Representation of the manager of a limited liability company in defending claims of securities fraud and breach of fiduciary duty.
- Representation of a software licensor in a contract dispute.
- Representation of a shoe manufacturer/distributor in defending trademark and unfair competition claims based on sales utilizing the Internet.
- Representation of music distribution company in copyright and royalty dispute.
- Representation of a large industrial company in defending claims of conversion and misappropriation of trade secrets involving a project control system software.
- Representation of numerous clients including restaurants, manufacturers/distributors, retailers, etc. in prosecuting trademark applications before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and instituted an opposition proceeding before the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
- Representation of numerous clients including interior designers, construction companies, retailers and others in negotiating contracts, licenses, leases, and other similar contracts.
- Representation of financial institution in defending claims regarding account fees charged.
- LSU Law Center, J.D., 1989
- LSU, B.S., Finance, 1986
- Member, Sigma Chi Fraternity
- Louisiana
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Member, Baton Rouge Bar Association
- Member, Louisiana State Bar Association
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Wex S. Malone American Inn of Court
- AV Preeminent-rated, Martindale-Hubbell
- "Best Lawyers," The Best Lawyers in America, 2015-2025
- "Lawyer of the Year," The Best Lawyers in America, 2018, 2021, 2023, and 2025
- "Super Lawyers," Louisiana Super Lawyers, 2016, 2022-2023
- "Client Service All-Star," BTI, 2022
- "Forty Under 40," Baton Rouge Business Report, 1999
- "Capital Region 500," Baton Rouge Business Report, 2023-2024
- "Music Trademark and Copyright," Musicians Fête, April 10, 2025
- "Copyright and Trademark Law," Louisiana Arts Summit 2024, October 11, 2024
- "Employers Brace for January 1, 2025 Overtime Exemption Salary Increase – But Will Litigation Derail the DOL Rule?," Texas Law Blog, September 30, 2024
- "The IP Trinity: Mastering Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks," Louisiana State Bar Association IP Seminar, September 23, 2024
- "DON’T FORGET THE ®!," Intellectual Property Law Blog, September 4, 2024
- "Artistic Works, Brand Management and Intellectual Property Laws," Lamar ArtCon 2024, April 26, 2024
- "Intellectual Property: Brand Management & Protection," LSU AdFed Speaker Series, March 19, 2024
- "Intellectual Property: Brand Management & Protection," American Advertising Federation of Baton Rouge Speaker Series, April 14, 2023
- "Court Finds Tweet To Be Fair Use," Intellectual Property Law Blog, May 3, 2022
- "Fifth Circuit Rules Use of Vizzy and Brizzy For Seltzer Not Confusing," Intellectual Property Law Blog, March 5, 2021
- "Jazz Musician Fails to Produce Evidence of Copying," Intellectual Property Law Blog, February 25, 2021
- "Don't Forget the Registration Symbol," Intellectual Property Law Blog, February 8, 2021
- "Supreme Court Rules Copyright Claim Requires Registration," Intellectual Property Law Blog, April 12, 2019
- "Trademark Ownership Based on Actual Use," Intellectual Property Law Blog, October 9, 2018
- "Cell Phone Reward and Risk," Louisiana Law Blog, September 28, 2018
- "Louisiana First Circuit Declines to Supply Right of Publicity to Barry Seal Succession," Louisiana Law Blog, June 25, 2018
- "Court Rules Restrictive Covenants Out of Bounds," Louisiana Law Blog, June 4, 2018
- "General Mills Not Cheery about TTAB Ruling," Louisiana Law Blog, January 12, 2018
- "Dilly Dilly on Infringement Demand," Louisiana Law Blog, January 12, 2018
- "Is it Time for Your Business to Have a Check-Up?," Louisiana Law Blog, July 28, 2014
- "Legal Issues Involving the Internet," Baton Rouge Bar Association, Continuing Education
- "Intellectual Property Overview," Southern University Recent Developments Seminar
- "Fear Factor: How to Deal with Intellectual Property Issues," Baton Rouge Bench Bar Conference
- Board of Directors, St. Vincent de Paul
- Board of Directors, Baton Rouge Community College Foundation
- Board of Directors, Brothers of the Sacred Heart Foundation
- Board of Directors, Volunteer Baton Rouge
- Member, Catholic High School Alumni Advisory Board
- Member, Sigma Chi Fraternity Alumni Association
- Member, St. Aloysius Church Chorale (Finance Committee)
- Law Studies Instructor, Catholic High School
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