Bentley Harris

PARTNER

SERVICES: CORPORATE, LITIGATION, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Contact

Bentley Harris serves as a trusted counselor in providing legal advice to businesses of all sizes in various industries, including technology and telecommunications services, management services, medical services, environmental services, restaurant and bar services, entertainment services, construction and architecture services, security services, veterinary services, and nutrition counseling.  Her services include drafting and negotiating commercial and intellectual property transactions, including but not limited to master services agreements, intellectual property acquisition and license agreements, joint development agreements, software as a service (SaaS) agreements, manufacturing and distributor agreements, supplier agreements, sponsorship agreements and private label contracts.  She also assists companies in formation, governance, and general corporate law as well as the selection, protection, and enforcement of intellectual property assets.  In her role as general counselor, she has gained considerable experience with labor and employment issues including the negotiation of employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, non-disclosure agreements, executive agreements, and severance agreements.  Bentley seeks to proactively identify potential risks, offer solutions, and provide legal strategies to align with a company’s overall business objectives.

In the early years of her legal career, she gained extensive experience in complex business litigation and has litigated patent infringement and trademark infringement cases in both the Eastern and Western Districts of Texas, environmental cases involving CERCLA violations in the Southern District of Texas, and arbitration proceedings involving securities fraud allegations.  She has also played an instrumental role in the drafting of arbitration briefs, appellate briefs, and petitions for writ of certiorari for submission to the American Arbitration Association, the Federal Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States.  This invaluable experience has enabled her to oversee and manage litigation matters as outside general counsel for clients with extensive litigation matters that need management support.

  • J.D.,Tulane University Law School, 2008, Cum Laude

    B.A.,University of Mississippi, Psychology, 2003, Summa Cum Laude

  • BARS:

    • Texas

    • Louisiana

    COURTS:

    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas

    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas

    • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas

    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana

    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana

    • U.S. District Court of Colorado

    • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit

    • U.S. Supreme Court

  • Best Lawyers, 2026, Listed in Texas for Corporate Law
    Austin Business Journal, Top Women in Business Awards, Winner, 2024
    Austin Business Journal, Top Women in Business Awards, Nominee, 2023
    Texas Diversity Council, Top Women Lawyers Award Winner, 2022

  • Intellectual Property

    • Trademark Prosecution: Prosecuted trademarks both domestically and internationally for business owners of various sizes including representation in proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board

    • Trademark Infringement: Obtained judgment as a matter of law against trademark infringer in the Western District of Texas

    • Trademark Portfolio Management: Managed trademark portfolios within the United States and abroad for businesses of various sizes

    • Patent Infringement: Representation of patent portfolio owner in telecommunications industry for recovery of multi-million dollar judgements and settlements against top market players.

    • Patent Infringement: Drafting of appellate brief and preparation for oral hearings before the Federal Circuit.

    • Patent Infringement: Drafting of writ of certioriari for filing with United States Supreme Court

    • Licensing: Negotiated and drafting of trademark and software license agreements for major industry players in self-automation driving technology and telecommunication industries

    • Protection of Company Intellectual Property: Negotiated and drafted employee non-disclosure agreements, proprietary invention assignment agreements, non-compete, non-solicitation, and other restrictive covenants for businesses in various industries

    Commercial/Business Transactions and Disputes

    • Corporation Governance: Drafting of formation and governance documents and related company documentation for partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations

    • Commercial Agreements: Drafted and negotiated service, manufacturing, distribution, and sales agreements for businesses of various sizes relating to transactions throughout the United States and abroad

    • Business Transactions: Representation of Austin-area local business sellers in asset and equity transaction acquisitions by national companies

    • Litigation Management: Management of litigation proceedings for businesses in various industries throughout the United States in disputes involving intellectual property infringement, breach of contract, fraud, and enforcement of mechanic’s liens.

    • Mediation: Drafted mediation position statements and successfully mediated resolution of employment, intellectual property and commercial contractual disputes

    • Arbitration: Representation of business owners in extensive arbitration proceedings related to private placement documents, investment representations, and fiduciary duties.

    • Austin Business Journal, Featured, “Living Their Values, Adapting Their Culture: Fearless Women Leaders Discuss Supporting the Next Generation,” August 23, 2024

    • Austin Business Journal, Speaker, “Women Who Lead Roundtable,” August 23, 2024

    • American Bar Association, Co-Author, Wire Fraud Chapter, “Banking On It: The Ten Most Common Claims Involving Banks,” July 2024

    • Austin Chamber, Author, “The Intellectual Property Rules You Make on Day One Can Save You Future Pain,” May 2, 2022

  • Travis County Women Lawyer’s Association, Member

    Austin Young Lawyers Association, Member

    Junior League of Austin, Member

    Breakthrough Austin, Academic Advisor

    Yes! Mentoring, Mentor

    BiGAustin, Business Law Instructor

    Coach Training Institute, Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC)

    Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts, Volunteer

    Dress for Success Austin, Mentor

    ZACH Theatre, Community Volunteer

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