To bolster its Intellectual Property (IP) practice, national law firm Wilson Elser hired premier IP/entertainment attorney Lawrence Waks, formerly of Jackson Walker LLP, as of counsel in its Dallas office.

Waks’s practice of more than 30 years has focused primarily on IP litigation and transactional matters, serving a national and international client base that hails from industries such as entertainment, music, sports, electronic gaming, publishing, fashion, consumer goods, media and more.

Fluent in Spanish, French and Russian, Waks, who has lived in Argentina and Bolivia, uses his multilingual skills to represent U.S. clients abroad as well as global clients in the United States.

“We are fortunate to have such a formidable, well-respected IP attorney join our ranks,” said Adam Bialek, chair of Wilson Elser’s IP practice. “While Wilson Elser provides Larry with a national platform and resources from which to service his clients in the United States and abroad, Larry provides Wilson Elser and our clients with a legal professional highly skilled in IP law, and with litigation and transactional experience that will enhance and expand our services.

“His strong connection to South America and his fluency in Spanish will enable us to grow our practice in Latin America through the combined efforts of the firm’s IP and Latin America practices,” added Bialek.

In addition to intellectual property, Waks, who has degrees in geology and engineering, practices in the areas of environmental, energy and admiralty and marine law.

Recognized as a leader in the legal community, Waks is a fellow of the American Bar Association Foundation and the Texas Bar Foundation, and a member of the Governing Committee of the American Bar Association Forum on Entertainment and Sports Industries and chair of its Litigation Division. He is also chair of the Texas State Bar Copyright Section.

Waks is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) and the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (LARAS), best known for the Grammy Awards and the Latin Grammy Awards, respectively, and the Texas chapter of NARAS. Waks also serves on the board of the Dallas Film Society and the Advisory Board of the Austin Theater Alliance.

Waks has earned an AV® Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell and has been named to the Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America lists, and the Who’s Who Legal (International) in the entertainment and media law categories.

Waks earned his J.D. degree from St. Mary’s University and his B.A. degree, with honors, from Trinity University.

www.wilsonelser.com