Intellectual property law firm Merchant & Gould announced that Christopher J. Schulte has joined the firm as a partner in the Minneapolis office.

"Chris is one of the most experienced and client-oriented trademark attorneys in the country," said D. Randall King, managing director and CEO of Merchant & Gould. "He has a sophisticated understanding of the complex business issues faced by companies who have large trademark portfolios, and his track record in getting the results that clients want is impressive. He will be a great fit with our firm."

Schulte's practice is focused on assisting clients to leverage their trademark portfolios to their strategic advantage. With a global client base that includes both Fortune 500 companies and individual entrepreneurs, he advises his clients in all areas of intellectual property, including issues pertaining to trademark, copyright, computer, and advertising law. He has also developed an experience helping clients with large trademark portfolios manage third party infringements on the Internet through the use of advanced Internet surveillance software and strategic prioritization of enforcement efforts. His work in this regard has assisted clients in keeping their marquee brand names strong within their trademark policing budgets. Schulte prosecutes trademark applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and represents clients in Federal Court and before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board with respect to office action refusals by trademark examiners, third party oppositions and cancellation proceedings.

Schulte has worked on cases including issues of breach of contract, unfair competition, patent infringement, trademark infringement, copyright infringement, trade secrets, trade dress, and franchise agreements. He has argued before several courts, both state and federal, including appellate courts.

Schulte holds a B.S. from the University of Minnesota, and received his law degree from Hamline University School of Law.