"... has an analytical mind and does a good job in his field."
- ChambersUSA 2010 "... leads the IP and technology group."
- ChambersUSA 2005 As Co-Chair of the firm's Intellectual Property & Technology Service Group, Jack Wheat oversees the work of over 30 attorneys who collectively cover all aspects of intellectual property law. The IP Group concentrates on domestic and international intellectual property portfolio maintenance, including patent prosecution, trademark and copyright registration services, licensing and franchising, as well as the nationwide handling of litigation involving infringement and trade secret misappropriation. He is designated as a Kentucky Super Lawyer and in 2008 and 2011, Kentucky Super Lawyers recognized Jack as one of the "Top 50" lawyers in Kentucky. Jack is also rated as one of The Best Lawyers in America® for Intellectual Property Litigation (2007-2012) and is recognized in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. Representative Assignments · Lead counsel in the successful defense of Adams USA in a patent infringement case argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. Nelson v. Adams USA Inc. 529 U.S. 460 (2000) · Lead counsel in a series of precedent setting lawsuits establishing the right of fraternities and sororities to prevent unauthorized production and marketing of merchandise bearing their insignia. Pure Country Inc. d/b/a Pure Country Weavers v. Sigma Chi Fraternity, 312 F.3d 952 (8th Cir. 2002); Abraham v. Alpha Chi Omega, et al., 781 F.Supp.2d 396 (N.D. Tx. 2011) and Sigma Chi Fraternity v. Sethscot Collection, No. 98-2102-CIV-SEITZ, 2000 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6332 (S.D. Fla. April 7, 2000) aff'd No. 01-12865, 2002 U.S. App. LEXIS 22234 (11th Cir. August 28, 2002) · Successfully enjoined a new bank from use in its name the name of the city where it was located. Winchester Federal Savings Bank v. Winchester Bank, 359 F.Supp.2d 561 (E.D.Ky. 2004) Representative Speaking Engagements and Publications · "IP 101: A Non-Specialist's Guide to the Basics of Intellectual Property Law," co-presenter, 2010 Kentucky Bar Association Convention, June 16, 2010 · "Intellectual property audits can identify assets to be protected," Business First of Louisville, August 21, 2009 · "All in the name," Thoroughbred Times, March 29, 2008 · "Franchising vs. owning your own business-pros and cons," Business First of Louisville, December 4, 2006 · "Protect yourself from competition by former employees," Business First of Louisville, April 1, 2005 · "To franchise or not is a big question," Business First, August 6, 2004 · "Ethical Considerations in Intellectual Property Law," presented at Louisville Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Program, June 19, 2003 · "Supreme I.P." lecture on experience arguing at United States Supreme Court presented at Louisville Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Program, February 19, 2003 Before Stites & Harbison Jack was the founder of the largest intellectual property boutique law firm in Kentucky, Wheat, Smith & Beres, which merged into Stites & Harbison on January 1, 2000. More than Stites & Harbison Since 1984, Jack has been an Adjunct Professor of Intellectual Property at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law and is the coach of the school's Lefkowitz Trademark Law Moot Court Team which were the National Champions for 2011 and placed third nationally in 2010. For the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., Jack is an Ordained Elder, is a former Commissioner and Moderator (Chief Judge) of the Permanent Judicial Commission of the Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky and is a former Commissioner of the Synod of the Living Waters Permanent Judicial Commission (ecclesiastical court) and. Jack is a member of the Order of Constantine of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and is Legal Counsel to the fraternity's Licensing Committee. He previously served as Grand Praetor (regional supervisor) of the fraternity's Kentucky Province. Besides Stites & Harbison Jack is an avid fan of University of Louisville athletics. He gave up playing golf and replaced it with the "therapy" of yard work, gardening and fishing. Memberships American Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section; Co-Chair, Dilution Law Subcommittee, 1999; Chair, Right of Publicity Subcommittee, 2004-06 Sigma Chi Fraternity Licensing Committee, Legal Counsel, 1991 - present Kentucky Bar Association International Trademark Association Louisville Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section, Chair, 1989, 1990 and 1994 Community Involvement Presbyterian Church U.S.A., Ordained Elder and former Commissioner of the Permanent Judicial Commission of the Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky Industry Experience Airports / Aviation Arbitration / Mediation / Dispute Resolution Automotive & Manufacturing Facilities Banking / Financial Services Construction Consumer Products / Food / Beverage Educational Institutions Entertainment / Leisure / Media Entrepreneurism Equine Financing Gaming Health Care Industrial / Manufacturing Facilities International Not For Profit & Professional / Trade Organizations Pharmaceutical / Medical Devices Printing / Publishing Real Estate / Real Estate Development Religious Institutions Restaurants / Food Services Retail Sports & Sports Facilities Technology / Hardware / Software Telecommunications Textiles / Apparel Tobacco Transportation, Highways & Bridges Utilities / Infrastructure Wholesalers / Distributors News 75 Stites & Harbison attorneys honored in Best Lawyers in America Kentucky Super Lawyers list"Kentucky Super Lawyers list Chambers USA honors 31 Stites & Harbison attorneys with inclusion in the 2011 guide Events Thirsty Thursday: "Intellectual property law basics pertinent to the building and construction industries" |