yonaton aronoff

PARTNER

Yonaton Aronoff is a commercial litigator and trusted advisor with a well-earned reputation for aggressiveness, efficiency, and finding value-adding solutions. He is a zealous, creative, and level-headed advocate who is a voice of reason in bet-the-company and other emotionally charged disputes. Clients rely on his logical advice and knack for finding practical solutions to complex problems.

Yonaton has deep experience in all aspects of complex commercial litigation and has led litigation and trial teams before federal and state courts as well as through arbitration, mediation, and evidentiary hearings. He represents businesses and individual clients as both plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes disputes spanning a broad array of claims and subject matters. He has successfully litigated cases involving business torts, founders’ rights, business divorce, commercial contract disputes, executive employment, trade secrets theft, and intellectual property.

Rejecting a one-size-fits-all approach, Yonaton designs unique and holistic strategies based on his clients’ goals. He seeks value-preserving business solutions when possible, but will not hesitate to pursue aggressive litigation if the situation demands it.

Notable Matters

• Winning control of a well-known portfolio brand for an apparel company client after a full JAMS arbitration and verdict

• The successful defense of an internationally-renowned apparel brand in a AAA arbitration in which the claimant sought over $10 million in damages

• Prosecuting and defending numerous executive employment and restrictive covenant disputes on behalf of senior executives and employers

• Ongoing representation of a leading for-profit university alleging large-scale copyright infringement against a Silicon Valley “unicorn” company

• Successfully defending and resolving a series of well-publicized claims alleging workplace toxicity against the founder and CEO of a tech startup

• Pursuing multiple, historic strategic litigations for an animal welfare non-profit to challenge unlawful and cruel environmental policies and practices implemented by state and federal agencies.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Reflecting his notable representations, Yonaton was tapped for the prestigious Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America guide for 2023 and 2024. He has also been recognized by Super Lawyers since 2013. Prior to joining Harris St. Laurent & Wechsler, Yonaton was a litigation partner at Foley & Lardner LLP.

Yonaton has devoted considerable time and energy to animal welfare issues. In June 2012, he was appointed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to serve on the board of directors of Animal Care Centers of NYC as an independent board member, and served in that capacity until 2024.

EDUCATION

Yonaton holds a B.A., magna cum laude, from Brown University, and a J.D. from the University of California Berkeley School of Law.