James R. Sims III, Esq. – Biography and Vision

I have more than 30 years of experience (over 20 of them as a partner) practicing law at a large international law firm (Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP), as well as working with numerous American Bar Association ("ABA") Section of Intellectual Property Law committees and divisions and the ABA's Forum on Franchising, focusing on a wide range of substantive trademark, copyright, and franchising issues.  In addition, I have been "secunded" as Chief Trademark Counsel to a Fortune 200 consumer products company - essentially stepping into the role of senior in-house trademark counsel and head of the entire trademark team (while continuing to serve as a partner at Morgan Lewis). 

I have also served on my prior firm's Professional Evaluation and Professional Development Committees (while an associate, I chaired the firm’s Washington Office Associates Committee).  I have recruited, mentored and trained numerous attorneys, paralegals, and other professionals, and worked with the Human Resources Department and others regarding personnel evaluations, compensation, and selected policies. 

Throughout my tenure with Morgan Lewis, I also regularly served as pro bono counsel in numerous representations.  As a volunteer for the ABA, I co-edited two editions of the ABA's The Intellectual Property Handbook  -  as well as authoring (or co-authoring) numerous substantive committee reports and articles on trademark, copyright, and franchise issues, and speaking at and organizing conferences and seminars.  In addition, I have experience serving on two non-profit organizations' boards of directors as well as on the corporate advisory board of a national for-profit enterprise.   As a life long learner, in April 2016, as a non-therapist, I also completed an eight month clinical training program on Imago Relationship Therapy theory and skills ("Imago" is one of the principal couples' communication and therapy models in use today); in September 2017, I completed the renowned Executive Leadership Coaching program of Georgetown University's Institute for Transformational Leadership and separately work with selected clients to develop and enhance their leadership skills.

This wide range of experience - from outside counsel, to acting in house chief trademark counsel, to board of director member, to ongoing learner - yields a practical perspective and creative approach that benefits the clients with whom I work and enables me to provide them with an excellent value proposition.   

- Jim Sims