After a remarkable 45-year career in intellectual property law, Gerald T. Welch – known as Jerry to colleagues and clients alike – has announced his retirement from legal practice to pursue new non-legal endeavors.

Jerry began his career as a systems engineer on the Air Force B-1A program before transitioning to IP law. He served as Legal Counsel for Owens-Illinois in Toledo and later as Director of Licensing & Technology Development for Kodak, where he licensed idle technologies to generate additional revenue.

In 1993, Jerry moved into private practice and played a key role in building an IP practice at Dallas’s largest general law firm, Jenkens & Gilchrist, where he served as Practice Group Leader for a group that grew to 70 licensed IP attorneys across five cities.

Ten years ago, Jerry led the launch of Harness IP’s metro Dallas office, bringing his prosecution and licensing practice to the firm and establishing its presence in a rapidly growing Texas market. Under his leadership, the office flourished and became a vital part of Harness IP’s national platform.

Jerry is known for his client-focused counsel that aligns with his clients’ vision, delivered consistently on time and on budget. His persistent dedication to building trust and assembling the right legal teams has earned him lasting client relationships.

Throughout his career, Jerry prepared and prosecuted complex patent applications, negotiated technology-related transactions, and supported litigation matters for clients in the U.S., Asia, and Europe. His strategic IP advice helped clients integrate intellectual property into their commercial goals.

Please join us in congratulating Jerry on his retirement and thanking him for his leadership, vision, and decades of exceptional service.