Brent E. Routman

As an inventor and patent owner who has always been interested in advocating for the rights of others, Brent was practically destined to wind up practicing intellectual property law. He practices trademark, copyright, Internet, and advertising law, and represents clients in domain name disputes and litigation. Prior to joining Merchant, Brent practiced commercial litigation and immigration law in South Florida and worked for the Universities of Miami and Georgia. This broad experience allows him to counsel clients in strategic business decisions using a comprehensive, holistic approach that goes beyond their narrow IP needs.

Brent also has significant experience in International IP law and is the partner responsible for coordinating trademark work to and from Asia. Because Merchant has made it a priority to advise clients with a full understanding of international strategies, Brent has also developed a deep experience in international patent protection issues, including treaties and the laws of various countries.

Brent is a Past President of the Minnesota State Bar Association, former chair of the Patent Division of the American Bar Association Intellectual Property Law Section, past member of the ABA House of Delegates, and twice a recipient of the statewide Attorneys of the Year Award presented by Minnesota Lawyer Magazine. His long record of service stems from his belief that attorneys have a unique responsibility and role in the community to educate the public, ensure access to justice, better the laws, and sustain the court system. He enjoys working cooperatively with Supreme Court Justices, legislators, non-profits, and other people and organizations who share mutual goals.

Brent serves as general counsel for Merchant, advising the firm's attorneys on ethical implications and best practices and working to enhance attorney-client relationships.

A frequent international traveler, Brent has been to 30 countries and counting. He takes voice lessons, plays poker, and goes camping in his spare time.

Minnesota State Bar Association
President, 2011-2012
President-Elect, 2010-2011
Council, 2010-present
Assembly, 2008-present
Governance Committee, 2008-present

Hennepin County Bar Association
Co-Chair, Nominating Committee (2008)
Past President (2005-present); President (2004-2005); President-Elect (2003-2004)
Member, Executive Committee (2001-2006)
Treasurer (2002-2003); Secretary (2001-2002)
Member, Ethics Committee (1997-present)
Chair, Professional Conduct and Professionalism Committee (1997-2000)

American Bar Association
Member, House of Delegates (2007-2008)
Intellectual Property Section:
Co-Chair, Patent and Trademark Office Affairs, Trademark (2004-2005)
Chair, Information Division (2003-2004)
Chair, Patent Division (2002-2003)
Chair, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee (2000-2002)
Chair, Special Committee on Global Patent Costs (1998-2000)
Representative at the meeting of the World Intellectual Property Organization Standing
Committee on Patent Law (May 2001, Geneva, Switzerland)
Representative at the Fifth International Symposium on Intellectual Property
(February 2001, Paris, France)
ABA Observer to the First Diplomatic Conference on Patent Law Treaty
(May 2000, Geneva, Switzerland) culminating in the signing of the Patent Law Treaty

American Intellectual Property Law Association
Past Member, AIPLA Trademark Legislation Committee

International Trademark Law Association (INTA)
Member, Treaty Analysis Committee
Past Member, Issues and Policy Committee

Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers (APRL)
Member

Selected for inclusion in WTR Global Leaders List 2026

Best Lawyers in America by The Best Lawyers in America, 2025-2027

Selected as one of The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals by WRT 1000, 2023

Selected as a 2013 Top Rated Lawyer in Intellectual Property by American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell™

Selected for inclusion in Minnesota Super Lawyers, 2006-2007, 2011-2016

Attorney of the Year 2004 and 2011, one of only 15 attorneys to be so recognized statewide more than once by Minnesota Lawyer

AV peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell

Invited to serve on Board of Advisors of Cincinnati Intellectual Property and Computer Law Journal at the

University of Cincinnati College of Law

Founder, LINC (Leaders Impacting the Non Profit Community), a six-month intensive training program for attorneys and other professionals re serving as volunteer directors and leaders in the non profit sector 1994-2007

Past Public Service Committee member and Past Chair of the Domestic Violence Subcommittee of the Cardozo Society of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation

Coalition for Impartial Justice
President 2010-2011
LawPAC, Political Action Committee
Chairman 2009-2012

Minnesota Volunteer Attorney Program
President, 2010-2011

Fellow, American Bar Foundation

Presentations

Moderator and Speaker, International Foreign/IP Practice Issues—Export Controls, Patent Consultation Group Roundtable, Attorneys’ Liability Assurance Society, Chicago, August 2016

Speaker, The Civil Justice System: What Lies Ahead, and How It Will Affect You, December 2011

Speaker, “Parliamentary Procedure and Leading a Meeting,” 2009, 2010

“Effectively Leading a Meeting,” presented at the 2005, 2006, 2008 LINC Program

Speaker, Ethics in IP Practice, Minnesota CLE Webcast, March 2009

Facilitator, International Trademark Association Annual Meeting, Berlin, Germany May 2008

Moderator, Baby Boomers Confronting New Responsibilities: How to Take Care of Aging Parents, Hennepin County Bar Association, January 2008

Keynote Speaker, Patent Cooperation Treaty A-Z, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, August 2006

Publications

Monthly Presidential Columns in Bench & Bar Magazine, July 2011-June 2012

Contributor, Strategies for Foreign Patenting of U.S. Inventions, Matthew Bender / Lexis Treatise on Intellectual Property, December 2009

Copyright for Associations and Organizations, Minnesota Society of Association Executives, April 2006

PCT and the International Patent System, William Mitchell College of Law, February 2006 (transcription of presentation published in the William Mitchell Law Review Vol. 32 Issue 4)

Brent Routman Letter to Governor Pawlenty, Minnesota Lawyer – July 2004

Madrid Protocol, Music to a Trademark Owner’s Ears, EuroWatch, Volume 14 Number 15, August 15, 2002

How Changes at the European Patent Office Are Affecting American Applicants, EuroWatch, Volume 14 Number 6, March 31, 2002

Contributor, An Examination Of The United States American Bar Association’s Past Actions And How They May Relate To The Commission Of The European Communities Proposal For A Council Regulation On The Community Patent, 5th International IP Symposium, AIPLA/ICC, Paris, France, February 2001

Dispensable Anachronisms of the Past in United States Patent Law; 4th International Symposium on Reduction of Patent Costs; FICPI/AIPLA; The Hague, The Netherlands, 1999

Quoted

Talking smoke detector offers safety, by: Jim Hannerand, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, November 9, 2012

Practices

Industries

Education

Admissions

Professional Affiliations

Awards & Recognition

Leadership & Civic Involvement

Publications & Speaking Engagements

Presentations

Publications

Quoted