Attorneys

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. He served as Co-Chair of the Business Law and Intellectual Property sections of the NCBA and was also the Editor-in-Chief of its monthly magazine. Mark is admitted to practice law in California.

In his spare time, Mark enjoys working on his off-road truck, hanging out with his cars and coffee buddies and listening to music.

• California Western School of Law, San Diego, California
  J.D. – 1995
• Pace University
  Master of Science Degree in Book and Magazine publishing – 1992
• Buffalo State, Buffalo, NY
  Bachelor of Arts – 1986
  Major: Broadcasting
  Minor: English

• State Bar of California, North County Bar Association Member 2005 – Present, Co-Chair of Intellectual Property Section 2006-2007, Board of Directors 2013 -2016,  Co-Chair of Business Law Section 2018.

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.

• California, 2005
• U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 2005
• U.S. District Court Central District of California, 2007

• California Western School of Law, San Diego, California
  J.D. cum laude – May, 2005
  Honors: Trustee Scholarship
  Honors: Dean’s List
• University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, U.S.A
  Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude
  Major: Political Science
  Major: History

• State Bar of California, Business Law Section, December 1, 2005 – Present
• San Diego County Bar Association, December 1, 2005 – Present
• North County Bar Association, 2019 President
• North County Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2016 – 2019
• North County Bar Association, December 1, 2005 – Present
• North County Bar Association, Co-Chair, Legislative Committee, 2015 – Present
• Provisors San Diego 2017-President (Affinity Group Leader, Group Leader Associate, Executive Committee)

• Business Entity Formations: Assist clients to establish their LLCs, corporations, and partnerships. Also review existing documents for compliance and part of due diligence for small M&A.
• Contract Drafting and Review: client/vendor contracts, terms and conditions on websites, consultant agreements, license agreements, employment related documents (handbooks, employment agreements, severance agreements, etc.) and other documents tailored to the clients’ goals.
• Small M&A: Consultation and drafting for business asset sales or stock/membership interest purchases of $5 million or less.
• Outside General Counsel Services: Provide ongoing legal advice to businesses at affordable rates.
• Real Property Related Matters: Owning a single investment property can be as much as a business to a person as owning an apartment complex. Mr. Bustarde applies his prior experience working at the Riverside, CA County Recorder’s office and at a real estate focused law firm to consult or draft documents like, CC&Rs, easements, licenses, tenant-in-common or co-ownership agreements, commercial/residential leases, and disclosure documents.
• Making sure your personal estate planning goals align with your business goals/successor planning.

• California, 2005
• U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 2005

• California Western School of Law, San Diego, California
  J.D. – May, 2005
  Honors: Kennedy Scholarship and Ethnic & Cultural Diversity Scholarship
• University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California
  Bachelor of Arts – 2001
  Major: Political Science
  Minor: History

• State Bar of California, 2005 – Present
• North County Bar Association, 2023 President, Board of Directors 2020-2023, Chair Business Section 2019 – Present, Member 2005 – Present
• San Diego County Bar Association, 2005 – 2014, 2023
• Lopardo Inns of Court, 2015 – Present (Barrister)
• North County Network Alliance, 2017 – Present
• Provisors – San Diego North Coast (Group Co-Host and Diversity & Inclusion Committee), and San Diego Human Capital Affinity Group (Executive Committee)
• San Elijo Business Breakfast, Past President 2014 – 2017
• Super Lawyers 2024, 2025

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.