Jim Francis is a trusted advisor to innovators navigating complex legal landscapes. With over two decades of experience in intellectual property and business law, he specializes in strategic risk management, IP protection, and dispute resolution—helping businesses safeguard their assets and maximize opportunities.
Jim has worked with entrepreneurs, universities, and Fortune 100 companies, ensuring their intellectual property rights remain secure while minimizing risk. As a published author, his thought leadership in the evolving life sciences industry continues to shape legal strategies that drive innovation.
Experience
Jim has built a distinguished career in intellectual property and business law, serving as Partner at Gearhart Law and previously leading his own firm, Francis Law Firm, PLLC, as a Patent Attorney. His tenure as Outside Counsel for Valvoline for nearly two decades honed his expertise in foreign and domestic patent prosecution, counsel management, and supplier contract negotiation.
In 2016, Jim Francis’s legal expertise gained national attention when The New York Times highlighted his role in a high-profile trademark dispute between Kentucky Mist Moonshine and the University of Kentucky. The university opposed the registration, claiming rights to the word “Kentucky.”
When the university sent a threatening letter, Francis took decisive action, filing a federal lawsuit in Lexington to challenge the opposition. His dedication to protecting innovators and business owners continues to define his work in intellectual property law.
As Of Counsel at Fowler Bell PLLC and Dentons Bingham Greenebaum, where he co-chaired the Life Sciences Practice Group, Jim demonstrated leadership in IP due diligence, software licensing, and high-stakes litigation. His extensive experience advising entrepreneurs, Fortune 100 companies, and research institutions has ensured the protection of groundbreaking innovations and facilitated strategic business transactions.
Before transitioning to law, Jim held R&D and engineering roles at Ashland Petroleum and Valvoline, providing him with a strong technical foundation that complements his legal expertise.
Publications
Thomas Dunlap, Cara Baer, Alan Schiavelli, Susan Mack, Brett Godfrey, Martha Marrapese, Leslie Krasny, Peter Bernstein, James Francis; Navigating Legal Issues in the Biotechnology Industry: Leading Lawyers on Staying Abreast of Supreme Court Decisions and Overcoming Challenges in Patent Filing (Inside the Minds); Thomson Reuters, published January 1, 2015.
Education
- University of Louisville, JD, Law, 2003
- Marshall University, BS, Major in Chemistry, Minor in Biology, 1990
Licenses
- Admitted to the Kentucky Bar
- US Patent and Trademark Office
Court Admission
- Admitted to practice before the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky, the Eastern District of Texas, and the Courts of Appeal for the Sixth Circuit and the Federal Circuit.