Pirkey Barber PLLC, one of the largest boutique trademark and copyright law firms in the United States, has added Michael S. Metteauer, Christopher Weimer, and Katherine Klammer Madianos to its robust roster of internationally recognized intellectual property practitioners. These three highly respected attorneys join the firm at its Austin headquarters and bring with them decades of combined experience protecting prominent brands in the U.S. and abroad, along with the capability to handle or refer IP matters globally through their strong international experience and extensive networks.
“We could not be more thrilled to add Michael, Chris, and Katherine to our team,” said Jered Matthysse, a member of the firm’s management committee. “We’ve known Michael for a long time, and we’ve regularly collaborated with him on matters for shared clients. Chris and Katherine have worked closely with Michael for years, and together they’ve built a strong team that has earned the trust and confidence of major brands throughout the world. They’re a perfect fit for our clients and our firm.”
Previously, all three were members of the intellectual property practice at Norton Rose Fulbright.
Michael, who joins Pirkey Barber as a Member, focuses his practice on strategic counseling and enforcement, with a particular emphasis on famous brands, nontraditional trademark rights, and internet issues. A longtime and active member of the International Trademark Association (INTA), Michael has held numerous leadership positions that include chairing committees and serving on its Board of Directors and several Presidential task forces. He also served as Counsel, the only officer-level position open to law firm members. He has been recognized for his prominence in trademark law by all major legal directories, including Chambers, Best Lawyers, Expert Guides, the WTR 1000, Legal 500 U.S., and Super Lawyers.
Chris, also joining the firm as a Member, practices trademark, unfair competition, trade secret, and copyright law with a focus on disputes and litigation. Chris works with several clients to manage, protect, and police their international trademark portfolios, and he regularly advises foreign clients in domestic proceedings and assists U.S. companies seeking to assert their rights abroad. He is fluent in Spanish and frequently assists clients in litigation, investigations, and foreign proceedings as bilingual counsel. Chris serves on INTA’s Unfair Competition Committee and is listed in Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers Rising Stars.
Katherine, who joins Pirkey Barber as Senior Counsel, guides clients through the complete trademark life cycle. She handles trademark clearance and the prosecution of trademark applications in the U.S. and internationally, and she represents clients in trademark-related disputes, contractual matters, and transactions. Active in the IP law community, Katherine is a member of the Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, the Austin Intellectual Property Law Association, and the Austin Bar Association.
“Michael, Chris, and Katherine are all outstanding lawyers—and, more importantly, great people—who could practice anywhere,” said Louis Pirkey, a founding Member of the firm. “We’re proud they chose to come work with us, and we’re confident our clients are going to love working with this team as much as we do.”