John t.d. Bathke

John is a proficient multilingual intellectual property attorney dedicated to protecting clients’ creativity and brands on a global scale. Working efficiently with businesses and individuals, from multinational companies to local artists, he focuses on copyright and trademark registration and proceedings at the USPTO and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. He is able to effectively communicate complex legal theories in English, French, and Spanish. John quickly identifies innovative and successful strategies to prosecute and enforce trademark rights and copyrights both in the United States and internationally.

Background

John received his bachelors of music from Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music.  At Vanderbilt, he performed in the musical theater production of The Fantasticks and the opera production of Gianni Schicci. In the latter, foreshadowing his later career turn, he played the lawyer. John now uses music as a form of respite from his busy legal career and has performed in local theater and choirs.

Between college and law school, John spent three years in Europe. He lived two years in Rennes, France, a summer in Bordighera, Italy, and one year in Granada, Spain. He speaks both Spanish and French and loves learning new languages. He has since studied German, Arabic, and Portuguese.

Leadership & recognition

John is a member of the International Trademark Association. He is on the internet committee of INTA. When not practicing law he instructs in legal writing at the University of Illinois—Chicago law school. He is also a member of the Associate Board and a volunteer attorney for Lawyers for the Creative Arts. He previously served as a Board Member for Arts Partners of Central Illinois.

  • All Illinois trial and appellate courts

    All New York trial and appellate courts

    The United States Supreme Court

    The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

    The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

    The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

    The United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois

    The United States District Court for the District of Colorado

    The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

    The United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York

    The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

  • Trademark Trial and Appeal Board

    United States Patent and Trademark Office

  • American Arbitration Association concerning Amazon.com disputes

    United States District Court for the Central District of California

    United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee