Ms. Branson is an associate in the Business Services Department and Intellectual Property Practice Group and concentrates her practice on general corporate matters, software licensing, trademarks, and the formation and governance of nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining Schnader, she worked for Accenture as an information technology consultant where she designed, tested, and developed software and business applications. Her industry experience includes servicing franchisors, technology companies, and senior housing providers. Ms. Branson is an active member of the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia, an affiliate of the National Bar Association, as the Vice President of Finance. She is also an active member of the Philadelphia Bar Association as a member of the Young Lawyers Division Executive Committee, Cyberspace and E-Commerce Committee, and Business Law Section Executive Committee. Ms. Branson's commitment to increasing diversity in the practice of law is demonstrated by her participation on Schnader's Diversity Committee, serving as a mentor for the Villanova Law Minority Alumni Association, and her involvement with the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group Alumni Association. Additionally, she taught a course entitled "Legal Writing and Analysis" at her alma mater, Lincoln University. After earning her bachelor's degree in Physics, with minors in Mathematics and Japanese from Lincoln University, Ms. Branson taught English at Namegawa Senior High School in Saitama, Japan. As a law student, she was actively involved in several organizations and activities including serving as president of the Black Law Students Association, and as a member of the law school's Inclusiveness Commission. For her contributions to her law school, Ms. Branson was awarded the Villanova's Faculty Service Award. Areas of Experience Intellectual Property · Drafting and negotiating technology licenses and agreements including software licensing agreements, maintenance and services agreements, offsite data storage, and e-commerce advertising; · Trademark and Service Mark prosecution; and · Drafting UDRPs and DMCA notices to maintain the commercial impression and integrity of registered trademarks and copyrights on the Internet. Business Services · Representing franchisors, senior housing providers, and technology companies in asset and real estate purchases, mergers and acquisitions, and partnership buyouts; · Forming and dissolving companies and preparing governing documents including articles of incorporation, bylaws, operating agreements and shareholder agreements; and · Researching contest and game promotions laws and regulations in multiple states and registering promotions in these states. Nonprofit Organizations · Forming and merging non-profit organizations; and · Preparing governing documents including bylaws, articles of incorporation, and conflict of interest policies. Community Activities Ms. Branson is a volunteer at Caton Village, a shelter for women and children in Philadelphia. Professional Affiliations · The Barristers' Association of Philadelphia, President-Elect and Executive Board Member · City of Philadelphia, Police Advisory Commission, Member · Philadelphia Bar Association, Business Law Section, E-Commerce and CyberSpace Committee, Chair · Philadelphia Bar Association, member and elected Executive Committee member of Young Lawyers Division, 2009 Other Distinctions · Recognized as a "Pennsylvania Rising Star" by Super Lawyers for business/corporate, 2011 · Recipient of the Villanova Faculty Service Award, 2006 News 09/19/2011, Rachel Branson Elected President-Elect of the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia 05/27/2011, Super Lawyers Recognizes Many Schnader Attorneys in 2011 02/18/2011, Branson Appointed Chair of the CyberSpace and E-Commerce Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association's Business Section 09/14/2010, Rachel Branson Appointed by Mayor Nutter and City Council to Philadelphia's Police Advisory Commission 09/08/2010, Rachel Branson Installed as an Officer of The Barristers' Association of Philadelphia 12/08/2009, Rachel Branson Elected to the Executive Committee of the Young Lawyers Division of the Philadelphia Bar Association 07/15/2008, Schnader Attorneys Assist Area Big Brother Big Sister Branches with Successful Merger 01/21/2008, Schnader Attorneys Contribute to The Barristers' Association of Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Breakfast 09/14/2006, Five New Attorneys Welcomed to Schnader Related Events 01/18/2010, Schnader Attorneys Serve as Co-Chairs for the Barristers' Association Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast 04/29/2009, Schnader Attorneys Volunteer at Bar Association Event 01/09/2009, Schnader's Branson a Co-Chair for the Barristers' Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast 01/21/2008, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Memorial Breakfast Hosted by the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia 06/29/2007, Branson Elected to Board of Barristers' Association of Phila. Publications Alerts 05/11/2009, Overview of Government Procurement After President Obama's 2009 Stimulus Bill Newsletters 08/01/2005, Pro Bono Newsletter Speaking Engagements 02/12/2011, Rachel Branson Speaks at the 23rd Annual Sadie T.M. Alexander Commemorative Conference 04/20/2010, Rachel Branson Speaks at Pennsylvania Bar Institute's How to Go Paperless CLE 08/25/2009, Rachel Branson Speaks at Villanova Law's New Student Orientation 04/16/2009, Rachel Branson Serves as the Keynote Speaker at the Villanova Law Minority Student Associations Banquet |