GC Influencers
Most Influential GCs - USA
Paul Gauron of New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc
New Balance’s Paul Gauron has played a key role in the development of the company into the footwear giant it is today, both externally as outside counsel and in his current role as its general counsel.
Commentators describe him as a “very distinguished and influential lawyer” and a “real leader” among the broader executive suite, while also crediting him with building up the company’s legal department into a diverse and talented in-house group.
He receives particular plaudits for coordinating and overseeing a number of high-profile trademark disputes, including the successful defense of a trademark claim brought by Converse over sneaker design and winning a USD1.5 million award in China over trademark infringement by domestic businesses – reportedly the largest trademark infringement award ever granted to a foreign company by the Chinese courts.
Alongside his strong track record in recent litigation matters, Gauron also demonstrates a real pedigree in complex transactional and corporate law work. Before arriving at New Balance, he spent almost a decade leading the business law practice at Goodwin, having also practiced at Hinckley Allen.