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Rodney Caldwell

rcaldwell@pirkeybarber.comDirect: (512) 482-5247download vcard

Rodney Caldwell has practiced in the intellectual property field since 1970. His practice has been concentrated in the litigation of trademark and related intellectual property matters, alternative dispute resolution, and counseling, including advice on trademark licensing, franchising, and intellectual property/antitrust matters.  He has represented large, mid-sized, and small business clients and has broad experience in litigation of trademark, trade secret, and related unfair competition matters. Rodney is a member of the International Trademark Association’s Panel of Trademark Mediators and has served as a neutral in trademark and other intellectual property disputes.

For more than twenty years, Rodney has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America under the Intellectual Property Law specialty. He also has been listed as one of the world’s leading trademark lawyers in Euromoney Legal Media Group’s Guide to the World’s Leading Trade Mark Practitioners.

Prior to beginning his law practice, Rodney was a project engineer for the Apollo Spacecraft Program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in Houston, Texas, from 1962 to 1970, and he served on active military duty at Patrick Air Force Base (Cape Canaveral), Florida, with the Ballistic Missile Division of the United States Air Force from 1959 to 1962.

“'A seasoned IP attorney with extraordinary knowledge', Rodney Caldwell boasts broad expertise in areas such as trademark litigation, licensing and general counselling, and advises on unfair competition and franchising issues.”

World Trademark Review's WTR 1000 (2012)

“Longstanding expert Rodney Caldwell … wins praise for his deft management of contentious briefs.”

World Trademark Review’s WTR 1000 (2013)

“With nearly 45 years of experience, senior counsel and luminary Rodney Caldwell is always on hand to dispense advice to colleagues and clients.”

World Trademark Review’s WTR 1000 (2015)

“An esteemed and seasoned litigator and counsellor who reinforces the team's efforts with his deep wisdom.”

World Trademark Review’s WTR 1000 (2017)

“He is an excellent litigator and somebody you can call for assistance without hesitation.”

World Trademark Review’s WTR 1000 (2018)

“Seasoned senior counsel Rodney Caldwell’s wealth of contentious experience lends additional gravitas to the operation.”

World Trademark Review’s WTR 1000 (2014)

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

  • J.D., Magna Cum Laude, University of Houston
    • Houston Law Review
  • B.Ch.E., University of Virginia

HONORS

  • The Best Lawyers in America® by Woodward/White, Inc. (1995-2024)
  • WTR 1000 The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals (2011-2019)
  • Texas Super Lawyers® list, a Thomson Reuters service (2003-2007)
  • AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated*

* AV®, BV®, AV Preeminent® and BV Distinguished® are registered certification marks of MH SUB I, LLC, used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS

  • American Bar Association
    • Chair, Trademark Legislation Committee, Section of Intellectual Property Law, 2017-2019
    • Chair, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee, Section of Intellectual Property Law, 2007—2009
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association
    • Fellow
    • Chair, Professionalism and Ethics Committee (2016, 1998)
    • Past Chair, Franchise Law Committee
  • International Trademark Association
    • Leadership Development Committee (2022-2023)
    • Panel of Trademark Mediators (2016-2021)
    • Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (2018-2021)
    • North America Subcommittee (2018-2019)
  • State Bar of Texas
  • Houston Bar Association
  • Houston Intellectual Property Law Association
  • The Honorable Nancy F. Atlas Houston Intellectual Property American Inn of Court
  • Life Fellow of the Houston Bar Foundation
  • Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation

SPEECHES AND PUBLICATIONS

  • Moderator, “Ethics of Engagement,” American Bar Associations’ IP West, Long Beach, CA (October 2017)