David L. Odom

Comprehensive IP Management and Advisory

David handles complex transactional and pre-litigation matters, managing both international trademark and patent portfolios. He provides strategic advice on branding, marketing, complex licensing, and patent and trademark infringement issues. Additionally, David assists clients in the development of new businesses, offering expert guidance on pre-business startup IP strategies, including patent protection, branding, trademark protection, and drafting critical legal documents such as employee and independent contractor assignment agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and other contracts involving IP.

Intellectual Property Expertise

David excels in the strategic development and protection of intellectual property, providing services that encompass the entire lifecycle of IP assets—from initial assessment and strategic planning through issuance, registration, portfolio management, and enforcement. His thorough approach includes:

• Patent Services: Preparation and prosecution of patents across various technological fields, leveraging his in-depth technical knowledge to secure patent rights in globally critical jurisdictions that are most important to client innovation and market positioning.
• Trademark Services: Conducting in-house trademark searches, clearance, strategic application, prosecution, registration, and overall portfolio management. David’s expertise in U.S. and foreign trademark law is crucial in navigating the complexities of brand protection globally, ensuring that trademarks are not only registered but also robustly asserted and defended against infringement.
• Copyright Services: Handling complex copyright issues arising from technological advancements, including the application, registration, licensing, and enforcement of copyrights. David’s understanding of digital media, user-generated content, and non-traditional copyright issues ensures that clients’ creative works are effectively protected under current laws, including the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

Transactional Matters and IP Related Agreements

David’s legal acumen also extends to the drafting and negotiation of a wide range of agreements related to IP, IT, websites, privacy, and technology. These include, but are not limited to:

• Corporate-Related IP Transactions: Conducting IP due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, and financing arrangements. David ensures that intellectual property assets are properly evaluated and protected in corporate transactions.
• Employment and Policy Drafting: Working closely with employment attorneys to draft contracts and develop policies that safeguard corporate-owned IP and trade secrets, protecting the employer’s brand and reputation.
• Licensing and Distribution Agreements: Advising on and negotiating licenses for patents, technology, trademarks, and software, as well as handling specialized agreements to maximize the value and reach of client IP assets.

Pre-Legal Career

Before his legal career, David was a commissioned officer (Captain) in the U.S. Air Force, serving as an aviator with over 2,000 flying hours in the KC-135A and B-1B bomber aircraft. During his service, he also worked as an electronics engineering liaison with defense contractors, contributing to simulation projects at the B-1B flight facility at Dyess AFB. His military experience, including his role in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, has ingrained in him with a disciplined approach and strategic insights that greatly enhance his legal practice.