Rob LeBlanc

As a partner in Haynes Boone’s trademark, copyright and social media practice groups, Rob LeBlanc counsels many of the world’s most valuable and famous companies on brand strategy and the protection of brand assets, including, brand creation, selection, protection, expansion, and enforcement. Rob has been recognized by World Trademark Review as "skilled in all areas of Trademark law," "a subject matter expert," and for having a "breadth of experience and expertise to address complex issues." Rob has also been named a Rising Star by Managing Intellectual Property, "One to Watch" by Best Lawyers in America, and Best Lawyer Under 40 by D Magazine.

A large portion of Rob’s practice focuses on internet and social media issues. Per the World Trademark Review, “in the UDRP and internet-adjacent arena, Rob LeBlanc is the man clients turn to.” Rob has a 100 percent success rate in the numerous UDRP actions he has filed to recover disputed domain names on behalf of his clients (ADR Forum, 2023). Additionally, Rob has handled thousands of successful social media takedowns and acquisitions on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Yelp, Snapchat, TikTok and LinkedIn.

Rob also devotes a significant portion of his time to trademark clearance and pre-launch risk mitigation strategy. Specifically, Rob has served as go-to counsel for several of the most high-profile brand launches in the last decade. Rob often works with counsel worldwide to create and implement risk mitigation measures prior to significant brand asset launches, including to acquire marks identified as high risk, file non-use cancellations, and obtain consent agreements on behalf of his clients. Given his breath of experience related to trademark clearance and social media-related issues, Rob is often called upon to lecture on these topics.

On the trademark protection front, with the assistance of his deep network of trusted foreign counsel, Rob has overseen the filing and prosecution of trademarks in nearly every jurisdiction in the world that has a formal trademark protection process. Rob often serves as an intermediary to U.S.-based companies with significant worldwide portfolios of trademarks to counsel them regarding efficient and effective foreign prosecution strategy.

Finally, when it comes time to enforce and protect brand assets, Rob understands that each brand requires a custom-tailored approach that must take into consideration potential PR ramifications of enforcement. Rob is particularly adept at achieving swift and informal resolution of trademark enforcement matters having successfully resolved hundreds of branding disputes without the need for litigation. Nonetheless, if formal enforcement measures such as federal court litigation or opposition/cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) are required, Rob zealously advocates for his clients to secure victories on their behalf.