08/13/2025
I’ve stood in courtrooms, argued high-stakes cases, obtained eight figure verdicts and settlements and earned awards that hang on office walls.
But nothing, truly nothing, quite compares to having a patty melt named after me at my local hot dog joint.
Here’s what happened.
A friend of mine who runs a beloved neighborhood hot dog stand received a cease-and-desist letter from a larger local business. They claimed he was infringing on a trademarked name. Legal threats followed. It was the kind of corporate intimidation that happens far too often.
But there was one important detail. The so-called trademark they were enforcing? They didn’t actually own it.
We verified. Then verified again.
So I did what any good friend and experienced lawyer would do. I registered the actual copyright on behalf of the hot dog stand. We locked it in, made it airtight. Then, with a bit of charm and some very precise language, encouraged the larger business to reconsider its position.
They walked away.
And my fee? Not a check, not a trophy, not even a plaque.
Just a patty melt. Griddled onions, melty cheese, a perfectly seared patty. Added to the menu and named after me.
“IBlock’s Patty Melt.” My college nickname. It might not win any branding awards, but I hear it sells out often.
In this profession, wins are usually counted in verdicts or settlements. This one reminded me of something deeper. I became a lawyer to protect people. To use the law with purpose. And to stand up for the little guys who make our communities vibrant.
Sometimes, the most meaningful victories don’t come with fanfare. They come on a plate.
And whenever I need a reminder of why I love this work, I just order my sandwich.
