Lewis Brisbois Expands Intellectual Property Capabilities in Minneapolis With New Partner Hire

Lewis Brisbois Expands Intellectual Property Capabilities in Minneapolis With New Partner Hire

Minneapolis, Minn. (March 13, 2024) - Lewis Brisbois is pleased to welcome Francois Ecclesiaste to its Minneapolis office as a partner in the Intellectual Property & Technology and Complex Business & Commercial Litigation Practices.

Joining the firm from another BigLaw firm, Mr. Ecclesiaste brings with him significant experience representing clients in high-stakes intellectual property and business litigation matters, including cases that involve patent, trademark, copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation, and breach of contract issues. He maintains a diverse client base that includes Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, start-up companies, and individual inventors. Moreover, as a registered patent attorney, Mr. Ecclesiaste regularly secures positive results for clients in inter partes review proceedings before the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

In discussing his decision to join Lewis Brisbois, Mr. Ecclesiaste noted, "Lewis Brisbois is a full-service law firm with a unique national platform servicing the needs of sophisticated clientele at rates that are truly competitive. So, this was a natural fit for me." He added, "I am excited and look forward to working collaboratively with the exceptional trial lawyers that are here. I also look forward to continuing to expand our dynamic national Intellectual Property Practice."

Co-Chair of Lewis Brisbois' Intellectual Property & Technology Practice and Vice-Chair of its Entertainment, Media & Sports Practice Jonathan D. Goins described, "Francois' extensive experience in the intellectual property arena will contribute to the continued growth of our national practice. He will be a strong asset and I look forward to working with him."

Minneapolis Managing Partner Michelle Gilboe agreed, stating, "We are very excited that Francois has joined our Minneapolis team. We look forward to his contributions to our office and across the firm's nationwide network."

In addition to managing his private practice, Mr. Ecclesiaste provides pro bono legal representation to various nonprofit organizations. He currently is a member of The Jack Mason Law & Democracy Initiative Advisory Board as well as the board of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Film Society.

Mr. Ecclesiaste earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Florida State University. He is admitted to practice in Minnesota, the District of Columbia, New York and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.