Charles S Baker

Professional Memberships

Member, American Bar Association Litigation Law Section and Intellectual Property Law Section

Member, American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) Trade Secret Law Committee

Member, International Trademark Association

Member, International Trade Commission Trial Lawyers Association (ITCTLA)

Member, Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit

Member, Federal Bar Association

Member, Houston Bar Association

Member, Houston Intellectual Property Law Association

Member, Travis County Bar Association

Member, Defense Counsel of America

Member, State Bar of Texas Intellectual Property Law Section and Litigation Section

Vestry member, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church (2006)

Career

Charles is a trial attorney with more than 40 years of extensive experience in both IP and commercial litigation matters.

Charles concentrates his practice on handling complex intellectual property matters, such as patent, trademark, trade dress, and copyright infringement, as well as trade secret and unfair competition cases. He brings in-depth experience with clients in the oilfield services sector, including equipment manufacturers and service providers focused on hydrocarbon exploration and development. Charles has tried numerous jury and non-jury cases in state and federal courts across the U.S., including 30 jury trials dealing with tort claims related to pesticide use at a large apartment complex.

Charles’ procedural experience is expansive, involving nearly half a dozen intellectual property cases before the International Trade Commission (ITC). He is recognized for representing the lead defendant in the landmark MGM v. Grokster copyright infringement case. Additionally, Charles provides strategic counsel on IP and antitrust matters and negotiates comprehensive licensing arrangements. His multifaceted client base includes technology, media, telecommunications, energy, and oilfield services industries.

Whether defending against high-stakes intellectual property claims or navigating complex commercial litigation, Charles focuses on clients’ interests and the advancement of their business objectives. While he enjoys trying cases, he is mindful that the best outcome for many of his clients is to obtain a settlement, knowing that most settlements are driven by smart business decisions that at times can be difficult to negotiate.

Charles tried one of the first patent infringement cases before Judge Alan Albright of the Western District of Texas, who praised his handling of that case. He has also litigated bet-the-company claims in Houston federal and state courts resulting in his clients avoiding more than $100 million in possible damages.

Charles regularly appears in patent infringement cases in the Eastern District of Texas, where he sits on the planning committee for the annual EDTX Bench Bar Conference.