Former Managing Director and CEO of IP Boutique Joins Shook’s Intellectual Property Practice

Shook welcomes Senior Counsel Chris Leonard to the firm’s Atlanta office where he will work in the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice.

Leonard is a former CEO, managing director and partner of the IP boutique, Merchant & Gould. His practice is focused on counseling clients on matters relating to software, e-commerce, telecommunication and traditional electric and mechanical technologies. Leonard has extensive litigation experience in all areas of intellectual property law, including patent, trademark and copyright.

Leonard is a veteran who served as an officer in the United States Air Force, where he worked with the ground-launched cruise missile weapon system. A highlight of his military service was being chosen to lead Soviet weapons inspectors through detailed inspections of U.S. nuclear weapons systems in accordance with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. 

Shook has a long history of success representing national and multinational companies in protecting IP rights and looks forward to continuing the growth of the practice with the addition of Leonard.