LOS ANGELES, CA – Joan Archer has joined Carlton Fields’ Intellectual Property Practice as of counsel in Los Angeles.

An experienced trial attorney and outside general counsel with more than 25 years of experience, Archer focuses her practice on intellectual property portfolio development and litigation, as well as complex business disputes. She provides legal counsel on a wide range of issues, including global data privacy and protection, protection of intellectual property, trade secret defense and protection, noncompete agreements and litigation, internal risk management and compliance, licensing, marketing, and general corporate strategy. She has deep experience in complex technology commercial agreements and licensing, with a special focus on data privacy, as well as Canadian cross-border litigation and compliance strategies and other international issues.

“Joan has a unique combination of in-house and high-stakes litigation experience that enables her to see all sides of an issue,” said Ty Giltinan, chair of Carlton Fields’ Intellectual Property Practice. “As a first-chair trial attorney, she will be a valuable resource to clients facing bet-the-company cases.”

Added Steven Weisburd, managing shareholder of Carlton Fields’ Los Angeles office, “Over the past few years, we have more than doubled the size of our Los Angeles office with an emphasis on expanding our robust litigation practice. We are excited to welcome Joan, who no doubt will be a valuable resource for our clients.”

Prior to joining Carlton Fields, Archer was general counsel at AGI Digital, an agricultural technology startup and subsequent technology division of a Canadian public company. In this role, she participated in complex patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret litigation and directed the exponential growth of IP portfolios, in addition to handling all the company’s legal needs. She also has prior experience as a partner in a national law firm focused on high-stakes litigation, corporate, intellectual property prosecution, human resources department collaboration, mergers and acquisitions, data protection, regulatory, and privacy law.

“Carlton Fields is widely regarded as a national leader in high-stakes litigation,” said Archer. “I am excited to begin this new opportunity and look forward to joining the growing team in Los Angeles.”

Archer earned her J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law, a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas, an M.A. from Wayne State University, and a B.A. from Gonzaga University.

*Admitted in Kansas and Missouri. All work in California supervised by a California licensed attorney.

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