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Brian H. Batzli

he / him / his

Partner

BBatzli@MerchantGould.com
D 612.336.4755

Assistant

Lauren Johnson

LJohnson@MerchantGould.com
D 612.371.5209
Brian H. Batzli photo

Brian Batzli is an intellectual property attorney and partner at Merchant’s Minneapolis office. He is also now Chairman Emeritus, having led the firm as CEO, Managing Director and Chairman from 2011 to mid-2018. In addition to his practice, he serves as President of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA).

An IP Partner Focused on Strategy

A company’s competitive edge begins with its approach to managing its intellectual property. There are myriad different technologies, and the applications for those technologies are virtually endless. While each offers excitement and growth opportunities, maximizing the value of these technologies stems from the strategy behind how the IP is protected, promoted and enforced.

With more than 30 years of experience in corporate and intellectual property law, Brian offers a unique viewpoint upon which his clients rely. Not only can he deliver all manner of intellectual property services, from licensing to patent prosecution, but he can also provide the strategic IP counseling companies need to remain competitive.

Brian will help you align your intellectual property strategies with your company’s business goals. He’ll help build the structure you need to keep your strategy on track, and he’ll stand by you over the years to ensure continued success.

A Leader Focused on Excellence

For over seven years, Brian Batzli led Merchant as the firm’s CEO, Managing Director, and Chairman. In this capacity, he emphasized delivering excellence at all levels of the firm and in all interactions with clients. His commitment to integrity, value, and deep technical and legal experience shone through in his work and in the firm’s efforts to remain a go-to source for strategic intellectual property legal services.

Now, as Chairman Emeritus, he continues to serve the firm by supporting current leadership. 

A Competitor In and Out of the Office

For Brian, a job is not done unless it is done exceedingly well. He is always looking for ways to deliver services more efficiently, to find better solutions and to seek greater opportunities for his clients. This competitive spirit is one that pushes him daily to be the best strategic IP counselor for his clients.

Outside of the office, Brian played in several old-timer hockey leagues before hurting his knee in a, particularly competitive paintball game. He also enjoys running, reading, sailing, golfing, and downhill skiing.

  • William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., 1985,

    cum laude

  • University of Minnesota, B.S. Electrical Engineering, 1982
  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
  • Minnesota State Bar
  • Washington State Bar

Adjunct Professor, Hamline University School of Law, 1994 – 2002

Courses taught include:

  • Selected Topics in Patent Law – Spring 1996, Fall 1997
  • Intellectual Property Survey Course – Fall 1995
  • Computer Law – Fall 1994, Fall 1996, Spring 1999, Fall 2000
  • Selected Topics in Patent and Computer Law – Spring 1994
  • Carver County (MN) Bar Association
  • Minnesota State Bar Association
  • Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association – Board Member and Immediate Past President (2013–2014); President (2012–2013); Board Member and National Representative to the AIPLA (2008–2012)
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association – President and Board of Directors (2023–present); President-Elect (2021–2022); Second Vice President (2020–2021); Treasurer (2016–2019); Vice Chair, Special Committee on Publications (2015–2016); Chair, Emerging Technologies Committee (2009–2011); Vice Chair, Emerging Technologies Committee (2007–2009); Co-Chair, Reverse Engineering Subcommittee (1997–1999); Chair, Intellectual Property in Latin America Committee (2005–2007); Vice Chair (2003–2005); Co-Chair, Latin American Study Group (1999–2000); Member, Electronic and Computer Law Committee (1992–present); Co-Chair, Licensing Subcommittee (1994–1999)
  • AIPPI – US
  • International Trademark Association (INTA)
  • Licensing Executive’s Society (LES)
  • Mitchell Hamline School of Law – Chair of the Board (2026-present); Board of Trustees (2018–2026); IP Advisory Board Chair (2015–2017); Vice Chair (2014–2015); Board Member (2010–2014, 2017–present)
  • Selected for inclusion in Minnesota Super Lawyers (1998, 2000, 2005–2018)
  • Recognized in IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading
  • Patent Practitioners, Minnesota (2016–2018)
  • Named among Minnesota’s Top Rated Lawyers by ALM (2013)
  • Recognized by IP Stars by Managing IP (2013–2021, 2025-2026)
  • Selected as one of Minnesota’s Top Intellectual Property Lawyers, Minnesota Law & Politics (June/July 2001)
  • Judge, Minnesota Inventors Congress (1994–1997)
  • Commissioner, City of Chanhassen Planning Commission (1988–1993); Chairperson (1992–1993)
  • Recipient, City of Chanhassen Maple Leaf Awards (1991, 1993)
  • Panelist, Drafting Globally Compliant Patent Applications: Dream or Reality?, Patent Law Institute, Practicing Law Institute (New York – April 4, 2019; San Francisco – April 25, 2019)
  • Guest Lecturer, The Inner Working of IP in Business Strategy, Management of Technology Master’s Program, University of Minnesota (April 6, 2018)
  • Moderator, Leadership Development Seminar: The Forty Thousand Foot View – Leadership and Innovation, AIPLA Mid-Winter Meeting, La Quinta, CA (January 24, 2018)
  • Moderator, AIPPI Perspectives, AIPLA, Toronto, Canada (June 21, 2017)
  • Guest Lecturer, Copyrights, Trademarks, Trade Secrets and Patents: An Intellectual Property Overview, Management of Technology Master’s Program, University of Minnesota (January 26, 2017; January 9, 2016; January 10, 2015; January 16, 2014; January 16, 2009)
  • Panelist, Monetization – Licensing Issues In View of U.S. Exhaustion Law, 8th Annual Corporate IP Counsel Forum, World Congress, New York, NY (March 24, 2016)
  • Moderator, How To Become An AIPLA Book Author, AIPLA webinar (March 17, 2016)
  • Panelist, Partnership: How To Get There and What To Do When You Arrive, AIPLA webinar (May 14, 2015)
  • Panelist, International Patent Prosecution: Nuances and Best Practices,  AIPLA Electronic & Computer Patent Law Summit, Chicago, IL (June 17, 2014)
  • Guest Lecturer, Patents: The Role of Intellectual Property, Innovation Seminar, Minnesota Inventors Congress, Minneapolis, MN (May 2, 2014)
  • Panelist, Wither the Business Method Patent? Bilski and Beyond, Minnesota CLE, Minneapolis, MN (March 26, 2009)
  • Speaker, Protecting Your Invention, Inventing Success Seminars, Minnesota Inventors Congress, Redwood Falls, MN (June 8, 2007)
  • Panelist, Patent Law and PTO Reform Update, AIPLA Advanced Computer & Electronic Patent Practice Seminar (Boston – June 2, 2006; San Jose – June 16, 2006)
  • Presenter, WIPO: Status Of The Substantive Patent Law Treaty, IP in Latin America Committee, AIPLA Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C. (October 2005)
  • Speaker, Statutory Bar Dates and Alpha & Beta Testing, AIPLA Advanced Computer & Electronic Patent Practice Seminar (Seattle – June 11, 2004; St. Louis – June 18, 2004)
  • Presenter, International Trademark Protection, AIPLA Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C. (October 17, 2002)
  • Presenter, Licensing and Franchise Law, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education (MILE), Minneapolis, MN (August 7, 2002)
  • Speaker, Protecting Your Ideas – An Intellectual Property Overview, Inventing Success Seminar, Minnesota Inventors Congress, Redwood Falls, MN (June 13, 2002)
  • Presenter, Patents, Trademarks, Licensing & Royalties, Inventing Success Seminar, Minnesota Inventors Congress, Owatonna, MN (September 22, 2001)
  • Presenter, Key Issues in a Patent License, Licensing, Intellectual Property & Web Site Development Agreements Seminar, MILE (February 11, 1999)
  • Speaker, Protecting Your Invention, Successful Invention Development Seminar, Minnesota Inventors Congress, Redwood Falls, MN (June 11, 1998)
  • Presenter, Prior Art Searching in the Electronics, Computer, and Software Arts, AIPLA Advanced Computer and Electronic Patent Practice Seminar, Houston, TX (May 8, 1998)
  • Presenter, The Practice of Intellectual Property, Career Program, William Mitchell College of Law (November 8, 1997)
  • Co-Speaker, Trademark and Copyright Protection, Beyond the Oral Tradition Seminar, Motus Humanus, St. Olaf College (June 5, 1997)
  • Co-Speaker, Businessperson Meets IP Lawyer: A Dialog on the Value of Licensing in Light of ProCD v. Zeidenberg, Merchant & Gould CLE (November 7, 1996)
  • Panelist, Invention Protection, Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association & Minnesota Inventors Congress (June 9, 1995; June 10, 1994)
  • Presenter, Prosecuting the Application: The Attorney’s Perspective, AIPLA Basic Computer and Electronic Patent Practice Seminar (September 23, 1994)
  • Speaker, Protecting Your Idea, National Innovation Workshop, U.S. Department of Commerce (September 9–10, 1994)
  • Presenter, Principles of Intellectual Property and Licensing, Technology Based Economic Development Seminar, Minnesota Technology Office, University of Minnesota–Duluth (May 23, 1994)
  • Speaker, Ways to Protect Your Invention, Successful Invention Management Seminar, Minnesota Inventors Congress, Inventors Resource Center, and Minnesota Technology, Inc. (June 10, 1993)
  • Presenter, Copyright and Trademark Law, Intellectual Property Seminar, MILE (January 15, 1993)
  • Guest Lecturer, The Duty of Disclosure Before The U.S. Patent Office, Intellectual Property Survey Course, Hamline School of Law (October 26, 1992)
  • Presenter, Proprietary Protection and Licensing, Inventors – Innovation Workshop, University of Minnesota–Duluth & Northeast Technology Resource Center (October 23, 1992)
  • Presenter, Fundamentals of Copyright and Trademark Law, Intellectual Property for the Corporate and General Attorney Seminar, MILE (December 13, 1990)
  • Presenter, Licensing as an International Property Protection Method, Product Protection in Foreign Markets Seminar, Minnesota Trade Office (October 18, 1989)
  • Editor, A Guide to Intellectual Property Protection, Minnesota Small Business Assistance Office (Eighth Edition – 1996; Ninth Edition – 2001; Tenth Edition – 2004; Eleventh Edition – 2006; Twelfth Edition – 2011)
  • Prior Art Searching for the Electronics and Software Fields, AIPLA – Advanced Computer and Electronic Patent Practice Seminar, co-authored with Komanduri (1998)
  • Editor, A Legal Guide for the Software Developer, Minnesota Small Business Assistance Office (Fifth Edition – 1996)
  • Handheld Scanners: An Invitation for Trouble?, MSBA Computer Law News, Vol. 10 No. 1, co-authored with Stinebruner (Winter 1994)
  • Co-Editor, A Legal Guide for the Software Developer, Minnesota Small Business Assistance Office (Fourth Edition – 1994)

Quoted:

  • Merchant & Gould Makes Its Mark in Intellectual Property Law, Minneapolis Star Tribune (July 13, 2014)