Leading global law firm Baker McKenzie has announced today that Justin Welch will rejoin the Firm as a Partner in its Commercial Practice Group in Dallas. He returns after serving as chief intellectual property counsel of one of the largest alcoholic beverage companies in the world.
Justin‘s practice centers on intellectual property with particular emphasis on trademarks, enforcement and brand portfolio management. He brings extensive experience advising on complex commercial and transactional matters, including acquisitions and dispositions involving brand assets, intellectual property issues arising in M&A and intercompany transactions, and licensing negotiations involving brands and other intellectual property rights. Justin also handles a wide range of stand-alone commercial agreements in the brand and marketing space, including licensing, distribution, endorsement, marketing, and influencer and celebrity-related contracts. In addition, he is well positioned to serve as a strategic client liaison and to coordinate trademark disputes and enforcement matters across jurisdictions, including global litigation and anti-counterfeiting issues.
“Justin’s experience advising on trademark portfolio strategy, brand-driven transactions and other complex commercial matters will strengthen our ability to support clients across the full lifecycle of their brands,” said Will Woods, Americas Chair of Baker McKenzie’s Commercial Practice Group. “As client demand in this space continues to grow, Justin’s arrival enhances our capacity to deepen relationships with existing clients and further solidify our US brand management capabilities.”
“Justin was highly regarded during his time at Baker McKenzie, and we are thrilled to welcome him back to Dallas,” added Michelle Hartmann, Managing Partner for the Firm’s Texas offices. “He is a savvy lawyer with a strong work ethic, a practical approach and a style that inspires confidence from both clients and colleagues. His sound judgment and business-minded perspective will serve our clients and our team exceptionally well.”
Baker McKenzie helps clients protect, enforce and maximize the value of their intellectual property in an increasingly complex global landscape shaped by rapid technological change, sophisticated infringement risks, and heightened transactional focus on IP assets. The team provides seamless, cross-border counsel on the full spectrum of IP matters, including brand management and enforcement, copyright, IP disputes, patent litigation and prosecution, trade secrets and transactional IP services.
Justin Welch has received significant industry recognition for his leadership and impact in intellectual property. In 2023, he was named among Managing IP’s 50 Most Influential People in IP and was also featured in the WTR 300: The World’s Leading Corporate Trademark Professionals by World Trademark Review. Under his leadership, his team has earned top honors, including In-House Trademark Team of the Year at the 2024 Managing IP Awards and Food and Beverage Team of the Year at the 2024 World Trademark Review Industry Awards.
Justin first joined Baker McKenzie’s Dallas office as an associate in 2012 and was promoted to Partner in 2016. He received his BS from Lipscomb University in 2005 and his JD from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2008. He is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Texas.
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