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20 October 2021PatentsMuireann Bolger

K&L Gates hires trademarks partner in Texas

Law firm  K&L Gates has added Chris Graff as a partner in its IP procurement and portfolio management practice. Graff joins the firm’s Austin office in Texas from IP firm Pirkey Barber.

Graff focuses on the areas of trademarks, brand management, false advertising, unfair competition, and copyrights. He advises clients on global brand protection, clearance, enforcement, licensing, and portfolio management.

Graff has represented clients in more than 100 cases before a wide variety of courts and tribunals, including federal and state courts and the US Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

Bob Barrett, a co-leader of K&L Gates’ IP practice area, commented: “[Graff’s] deep knowledge of global trademark and branding issues strengthens our already cutting-edge practice.”

His arrival closely follows the September additions of IP litigator Jeff Gargano and privacy practitioner Whitney McCollum in the Chicago and Seattle offices, respectively, as well as a number of other IP partners to the firm this year, including Patrick Sands in Melbourne, Brenna Legaard in Portland, and a team of IP lawyers in Japan.

They are among the more than 95 partners and of counsel the firm has welcomed across its platform since the beginning of 2020, including both health care partner Andrea Cunha and government affairs advisor Skylor Hearn in the firm’s Austin office.

In 2019, K&L Gates’ Austin office also welcomed a team of four IP lawyers led by partner Stewart Mesher.

“We are excited to have Graff join us as we continue to strategically grow the office to serve clients locally and globally,” said Jack Erskine, managing partner of K&L Gates’ Austin office.

K&L Gates’ IP practice has more than 200 lawyers and professionals, including approximately 100 registered patent lawyers.

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