Nicholas F. Casolaro

Nick represents a diverse array of clients in complex business disputes and commercial litigation matters. He also assists employers and employees with a variety of labor and employment issues, including hiring and separation, payment of wages, recordkeeping, compliance with anti-discrimination laws, workplace investigations, and negotiation and enforcement of restrictive covenants such as non-competition and non-solicitation agreements. Nick is an experienced intellectual property litigator and represents brand owners, artists, and businesses of all sizes in trademark and copyright disputes and trade secret litigation.

Nick has tried cases to verdict or decision in state and federal court, as well as the United States Tax Court, and has argued motions and conducted evidentiary hearings in New Hampshire Circuit and Superior Courts, Massachusetts Superior Court, federal district court, and state and federal administrative tribunals. He has also drafted briefs in successful appeals to the New Hampshire Supreme Court. In addition, Nick provides risk management and ethics advice to licensed medical professionals and their practices, and represents licensees in investigations and proceedings before state licensing boards such as the Board of Medicine, Board of Mental Health Practice, Board of Psychologists, Board of Nursing, and Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Other Drug Use Professionals.

Nick earned his J.D. from the University of New Hampshire School of Law in 2011 and his Bachelor of Arts in History from the College of the Holy Cross in 2005. Prior to joining Cleveland, Waters and Bass, Nick was an associate at one of New England’s largest law firms. While in law school, Nick was a judicial extern for the Honorable Joseph N. Laplante of the U.S District Court, District of New Hampshire. Nick was a captain of the Men’s tennis team at Holy Cross and enjoys skiing, hiking and the outdoors.

Professional Recognition

New England Super Lawyers, Rising Star in Business Litigation (since 2016)

Managing Editor, IDEA: The Intellectual Property Law Review, Vol. 51, UNH School of Law

Representative Experience

• Obtained a complete defense verdict for a small business owner against a major international fashion brand in a federal contributory trademark infringement and counterfeiting jury trial

• Helped obtain a preliminary injunction in federal court for major insurance company in trade secret and non-solicitation matter against former employee

• Negotiated favorable settlements for clients in wage and hour class actions

• Defended against putative environmental and products liability class action suits in state and federal courts

• Represented artist and mail marketing company in separate copyright infringement lawsuits in federal court and obtained successful settlements against infringers

• Successfully represented clients in various arbitration tribunals, such as the American Arbitration Association, FINRA, and UDRP (domain name arbitration)

• Obtained successful settlements on behalf of numerous business clients in mediation

• Prevailed on a motion to dismiss construction litigation and contract matter in N.H. Superior Court based on a novel interpretation of the doctrine of Nullum Tempus Occurrit Regi (“time does not run against the king”), and succeeded on appeal to the N.H. Supreme Court in an issue of first impression

• Successfully moved in N.H. Superior Court to overturn an arbitration panel’s decision in a shareholder and contract dispute and prevailed on appeal to the N.H. Supreme Court

• Represented clients in proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board and in opposition proceedings for trademark applications at the United States Patent and Trademark Office

• Assisted licensed professionals in obtaining favorable results or outright dismissals of investigations and ethics complaints before state licensing boards

Publications

NLRB Eyes Setting New “Joint Employer” Standard, 2018, New Hampshire Business Review

Your Candidate Said What? 2016, New Hampshire Business Review

The Curious Case of Workplace DNA Testing, 2015, New Hampshire Business Review

Five Employment Law Topics on the Radar for 2015, New Hampshire Business Review

Best Practices for Employers That Use Payroll Debit Cards, 2014, New Hampshire Business Review

Criminal Background Checks and the Hiring Process, 2013, New Hampshire Business Review

Why Businesses Should Take a Hard Look at Telecommuting, 2013, New Hampshire Business Review

Employer Honesty Policies, 2013, New Hampshire Business Review

Nick has also contributed articles to the Union Leader’s Know the Law column and the Employment Law Business Guide blog. Nick has regularly presented at seminars focusing on a variety of employment law and intellectual property issues, and co-presents an all-day seminar each year on risk management and legal and ethical issues for licensed mental health professionals.

Professional and Civic Involvement

New Hampshire Bar Association – Member, Federal Practice and Intellectual Property Sections

New Hampshire Bar Association Leadership Academy – Graduate, 2015 Class and Member of Steering Committee

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce – Leadership Greater Manchester 2019 Class

Stay Work Play New Hampshire – Member, Board of Advisors

Greater Nashua Human Resources Association – Board Member and Legislative Chair

Town of Hopkinton – Village Precinct Commissione