Our Team
Zakari A. Kurtz
Principle Attorney
Zakari “Zak” Kurtz is the founder of Sneaker Law Firm PLLC, and is licensed to practice on the state and federal level. He handles complex business and legal transactions and works on all aspects of trademark and brand protection in the United States and abroad. He has a diverse background having represented artists, athletes, agents, musicians, influencers, the federal and state government, small business and large corporations. From general legal matters to counseling and securing trademarks protection for domestic and international companies; Zakari specializes is contractual and business law, and is known for finding creative solutions to satisfy clients needs.
Zakari helps clients in the sneaker, fashion, sports, entertainment, food and technology sectors recognize, protect, and utilize their valuable intellectual property. He prosecutes trademarks and responds to office actions before the US Patent and Trademark Office, and develops strategies to ensure the strength and longevity of client’s brands and incorporate understanding and compliance with legal obligations. Clients praise Zakari for the thoughtful and thorough approach he takes when helping them strategize or problem solve.
Zakari gained global data and privacy experience working as in-house counsel for Comscore and technology software giant Cvent. While starting Sneaker Law Firm shortly after law school, he worked for the federal government at the Small Business Administration handling bankruptcies and small business loans. On top of his business experience, Zakari has amassed over ten years of experience working in the sports industry working legal and business roles for top sports agencies like Rosenhaus Sports Representation, major professional sports unions like the NFLAP, NCAA compliance departments at D1 Universities like Virginia Tech, and professional sports teams.
In 2007 Zakari earned his Bachelor of Arts from Roanoke College, where he played varsity soccer for four years and was a Co-Captain his Senior season. During his soccer career Kurtz played in the NCAA tournament and overseas in Brazil, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Israel and Germany. Prior to law school, he earned his paralegal certificate from Boston University and attended sports business management classes at Columbia University in New York. In 2012 he graduated with honors from Michigan State University College of Law with his Juris Doctorate.
Memberships:
New York State Bar 2014
Virginia State Bar 2018
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Michael Mene
Marketing Director
Michael’s journey into marketing started 6 years ago. After being a four year NCAA Division III Men’s Lacrosse player he graduated from Marymount University with a Bachelors in Business in 2015. After graduation, he took a job as a Sales and Marketing Coordinator for a large event management company SPARGO Inc. This opened his eyes to the world of marketing and allowed his creative side to express itself in his work.
After working for SPARGO Inc. for three years he made a change to a full time Marketing role with an innovative start-up Medical Device company Kerecis. Michael spent two years as Marketing Manager at Kerecis helping to grow a small Icelandic company into an International medical device used in over 15 countries.
In 2020 Michael moved on from Kerecis to become the Senior Marketing Manager for Physician Recommended Nutriceuticals the number one provider of ocular health nutritional supplements in North America. Michael is also currently enrolled at Villanova School of Business to obtain his MBA by 2023.
Outside of his full time work Michael has spent his time working with various start-ups such as John Bronson Marketing, PACC Pro-Network, SEN Television, Hypebeast Pop-Up, and The Sneaker Law Firm to assist with all of their marketing needs. Michael specializes in content writing, social media, event planning and website construction and maintenance.
Some of Michael’s hobbies include collecting sneakers, traveling, trying new restaurants, playing sports, and spending time with his significant other Liah and their families. Michael’s true passions outside of marketing are sneakers and sports. He can often be found in a sneaker boutique or on the golf course.
Bart Wolcott
Associate Attorney
Bart Wolcott is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio (B.A., 2006) where he was on the Dean’s List and participated in ATO Fraternity and the Arts Management Society. During his time in college, Bart served in the U.S. Army Reserves and began preparing for law school.
He graduated from Western Michigan University Law School (J.D., 2011) and participated in both the Intellectual Property Association and Sports and Entertainment Society as vice president and treasurer. Bart’s first internship was in late 2010 with True Religion Brand Jeans where he worked with the legal department and was a part of the brand enforcement team that shut down counterfeit products from Los Angeles to China. True Religion Brand Jeans was sold for $835 million in 2013.
He then worked with veteran Beverly Hills talent agent, David Shapira, who represented Jean Wilder and many other screen legends. After that, Bart went on to work with a start-up agency with veteran William Morris music agents, Elizabeth Jones and Matt Charkow, at Parallel 49 Agency in Santa Monica, California.
Bart represents clients in both civil and criminal actions. In 2019, Bart completed the Trial Advocacy Program through the Los Angeles County Bar Association and regularly attends seminars and conferences as part of his continuing legal education. He works with the Sneaker Law Firm on litigation and branding for musicians, entertainers, agencies, athletes and brands.
Memberships:
State Bar of California
Los Angeles County Bar Association