Attorneys

Mark Reichenthal practices in the areas of intellectual property, licensing, new media, entertainment law, book publishing, and general business contracts.

Prior to joining Branfman Law Group, P.C. in 2005, Mark was a Senior Counsel at Wiley Publishing, Inc., publisher of the wildly successful and famous “…For Dummies” series where Mark was responsible for managing the day-to-day legal affairs of the company including the negotiation of book contracts, supervising the enforcement of the “…For Dummies” trademark, and all company trademark and copyright licensing.

Mark earned his Juris Doctor degree from California Western School of Law in 1995 and a Master of Science Degree in Book and Magazine publishing at Pace University in 1992. After joining the Bar, he was the Contracts Manager for Vivendi Universal’s software division. Mark was a member of the Board of Directors of the North County Bar Association (“NCBA”) in San Diego and also served as Co-Chair of the Business Law Section of the NCBA. Mark is admitted to practice law in California.

Mr. Branfman has been practicing law in San Diego County for over thirty years. Mr. Branfman’s practice focuses on intellectual property and entertainment law, including trademarks, domain names, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing, motion pictures & TV, and music.

After a five-year association with the intellectual property law firm of Charmasson & Holz in San Diego, Mr. Branfman joined Gary Martin to form Martin & Branfman and in early 1994 formed Branfman & Associates to focus on intellectual property and entertainment matters. Branfman & Associates became Branfman Law Group, P.C. in 2008.

Mr. Branfman graduated Cum Laude from Alfred University in New York and received his law degree from the University of San Diego in 1978. He is an instructor on intellectual property law at the UCSD (University of California, San Diego) Executive Perspective for Scientists & Engineers program. Mr. Branfman is a member of the NORML Legal Committee and has spoken several times at NORML Legal Committee conferences. He was for many years a member of the Board of Directors of the non-profit San Diego Music Foundation which sponsors the San Diego Music Thing and San Diego Music Awards. He was Chairman of the Board of the San Diego Film Commission from 1998 – January 2000 and was a member of the Board of Directors from 1998 – 2007. He was Legal Chair of the Pacific Southwest Chapter of the National Television Academy for approximately two decades and is a member of the State Bar of California’s Intellectual Property Section and its Executive Committee which helps to guide and govern the Section. He is a regular speaker at Comic-Con and has lectured or spoken on entertainment, intellectual property and Internet Law at Thomas Jefferson School of Law and California Western School of Law.

David is recognized by peers and was selected to Southern California Super Lawyers for intellectual property law for at least 10 years.

Melissa Bustarde is a transactional attorney serving small to medium-sized businesses and individuals in San Diego County for their legal needs of their business, including entity formation, contract drafting and review, employment counseling and dispute resolution. She has advised hundreds of clients concerning their business. She also works on sales of businesses under $5 million (representing buyer or seller) in both asset and stock sales. She previously litigated business, employment and real estate disputes.

Ms. Bustarde strongly believes in the concept of preventative law. If deals are structured and documents are prepared correctly the first time around, it will minimize and can even avoid disputes and litigation down the road. A deal done on a handshake is no longer enough in today’s litigious sociality. Ms. Bustarde incorporates that philosophy, in addition to looking at the bigger picture, in advising all of her clients.

Ms. Bustarde started with Branfman Mayfield Bustarde Reichenthal, LLP (formerly Mayfield & Associates) in 2004 as a Law Clerk while she attended California Western School of Law. While at Cal Western, she made the Dean’s List every semester and graduated Cum Laude and was the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards. After passing the California Bar Exam on her first attempt, Ms. Bustarde remained with the firm as an Associate Attorney. She was made a partner in 2012 and currently serves as managing partner.

Ms. Bustarde is very active in the legal community. She is a past President and former member of the Board of Directors of the North County Bar Association, in addition to chairing the Legislative Committee. She has performed extensive volunteer work, including serving on the Board of Directors for other non-profits (including serving 9 years on San Elijo Elementary Parent Teacher Organization and 2 years as its co-President), and serving as co-leader of her daughter’s Girl Scout Troop for 8 years. She is currently on the Board of Directors and Secretary for San Elijo Hills Homeowners Association.

When not at the office, Ms. Bustarde enjoys spending time with her family, going to Disneyland, shopping and running.

Darwin Bustarde is a transactional and litigation attorney focused on maximizing and protecting his clients’ personal property, real property, business, and employment. Some of the methods he accomplishes this include entity formations (e.g. LLC, corporations, and partnerships), drafting and consulting on documents, including contracts, terms and conditions on websites, license agreements, employment related documents (handbooks, employment agreements, severance agreements, etc.), working with your estate planning attorney (or when appropriate preparing estate plans for small business owners under the federal estate tax limits). He helps his clients eliminate and reduce their liabilities. He has successfully litigated on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants in matters ranging from unlawful detainer/eviction actions through more complex matters, including, for example, employment, real property non-disclosure, and business/corporate disputes.

Mr. Bustarde’s focus is to achieve the client’s goal as efficiently as possible. In this day and age where online one-size-fits-all legal services are available, Mr. Bustarde helps his clients find the right solution for their unique circumstance. Disputes often arise or are made more complicated due to lack of planning, or inadequate document drafting. Mr. Bustarde enjoys helping his clients resolve disputes in a way that allows his clients to incorporate best practices on their own.

Mr. Bustarde began practicing law in 2005 after graduating from California Western School of Law in San Diego, California. His clients have included design and construction professionals in complex construction defect actions, commercial and residential landlords and property developers, entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized businesses ranging from other lawyers, doctors, auto-shops, contractors and real estate professionals), and people simply interested in protecting their assets and property.

Mr. Bustarde enjoys serving his community as a member of the Lake San Marcos Kiwanis Club for many years. Some of his favorite regular service events that the club puts on are the annual City of San Marcos Holiday Parade, Annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser for scholarships for local students, and helping the club distribute thousands of books a year to kids as part of the club’s literacy program. He served as the 2023 President and was on the Board of Directors for the North County Bar Association (Est. 1956). He also serves as chair of the Business Law Section. He serves on the San Elijo Hills Foundation to help maintain and improve the high quality of life of San Marcos. Mr. Bustarde also enjoys cheering on his kids soccer teams and just spending time with his family and dogs.

Gayle Mayfield-Venieris, was a founding partner of Mayfield Bustarde, LLP (the former name of Branfman Mayfield Bustarde Reichenthal, LLP) and retired in late 2017. In creating the firm back in 1997, she set the foundation of the firm by offering the unique combination of extensive, practical business experience, coupled with solid legal experience. Her philosophy of offering practical business advice is the hallmark of the firm today.

Gayle Mayfield-Venieris’ early work career involved working with a variety of companies, including high-tech and chemical companies. After 20 years of working in business management positions, Ms. Mayfield-Venieris made the decision to attend law school. Following admission to the Bar, she co-founded DeHaan and Mayfield, and later founded Mayfield & Associates. She was the principal of Mayfield & Associates, the predecessor to the firm, from June 1997 until Mayfield Bustarde, LLP was formed in 2012.