“Chicago is one of the most sophisticated and competitive legal markets in the country, which is precisely why we are here. We see a clear opportunity for a firm that combines elite legal capability with a disciplined, value-driven approach aligned to client outcomes. Our expansion into Chicago reflects both the trajectory of our firm and the needs of our clients, many of whom already have a significant presence in this market and have been longstanding partners of ours. We are thrilled to reunite with Rob who began his career with Bass, Berry & Sims and has built a successful IP and privacy practice in Chicago,” said Bass, Berry & Sims Managing Partner Todd Rolapp. “Jason’s reputation as a leader in advertising, media, sports, and marketing law in Chicago and internationally strengthens our presence in the region and beyond. In addition to IP, Media & Technology, we are thrilled that our other core industry focuses of Private Equity and Healthcare will be represented in the market by Bryan Bylica, who leads our Fund Formation practice and Delaney Durst, who is a part of our Healthcare practice.”

Additionally, the Chicago office will receive leadership support from Executive Committee member Shelley R. Thomas as liaison to the new location. Thomas will split time between the Chicago and Nashville offices and support integration efforts across the firm. With a focus on strategic transactions involving IP and technology, Thomas’ practice aligns with Newman and Gordon across matters involving technology, content and media rights, intellectual property, and privacy.

“Our in-depth strategic assessment has informed significant decisions already this year, and opening in Chicago is a continuation of that long-term planning as we serve clients nationwide and remain an independent firm,” said the firm’s Chief Strategy & Operations Officer Kerry Price. “With a national reputation in healthcare and private equity, this addition deepens our capabilities in advertising and media and supports our continued geographic expansion.”

Robert Newman previously served as an associate in the Intellectual Property & Technology Practice Group at Bass, Berry & Sims in Nashville before leaving the firm to relocate to his hometown of Chicago. He advises global consumer brands, technology innovators, content creators, and publishers on legal matters at the intersection of privacy, marketing, and intellectual property. Newman provides his clients with practical, business-oriented counsel on privacy and marketing regulatory compliance matters; the protection and commercialization of their creative assets; and litigation risk avoidance in connection with data privacy, e-commerce, intellectual property, and emerging technologies. His practice includes advising businesses in matters related to privacy and data security; artificial intelligence; advertising, marketing, and media; technology transactions; and global IP management and IP disputes. Outside of his practice, Newman serves on the board of directors for Lawyers for the Creative Arts and as an adjunct professor with the University of Illinois in Chicago. He provides pro bono legal services on behalf of prominent music and arts organizations. Prior to rejoining Bass, Berry & Sims, Newman served as Global Chair of the Emerging Technologies Practice at a large international law firm, where he led a group of more than 200 lawyers. He earned a law degree from the Chicago-Kent College of Law and an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois.

A sports lawyer, Jason W. Gordon joins the firm as member of the IP, Media & Technology Practice Group and will serve as managing partner of the new Chicago office. Gordon represents Fortune 100 brands and technology disrupters, media companies, airlines, quick service restaurants, consumer packaged goods companies, and other advertisers in all aspects of the commercialization of products and services, advertising, marketing, AI, new media, branding, privacy, mobile marketing, behavioral advertising, right of publicity, and traditional trademark and copyright prosecution and counseling. As a ranked attorney in WTR 1000and Chambers USA in advertising & media, Gordon has earned a national reputation counseling brands and leading consumer companies. His practice includes advertising and marketing counseling; talent, influencer marketing, and social media; sports law; emerging technology counseling, media transactions, IP, and brand protection; and advertising, IP, and publicity disputes.

Outside of his practice, Gordon provides pro bono legal services through Lawyers for the Creative Arts, and he serves as a Trustee of the Children’s Research Fund, benefiting the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. He is also active with the Association of National Advertisers, the International Trademark Association, the Food & Drug Law Institute, and the Jewish United Fund’s Lawyers Division.

Gordon earned a law degree from the Chicago-Kent College of Law (2006) and an undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa (2003).”Rob has always spoken highly of the people and culture at Bass, Berry & Sims, and I look forward to experiencing it for myself and my practice going forward,” Gordon said. “We have had a great partnership serving global clients’ media and advertising needs since 2008, and we’re excited to continue that high-level work with a national, independent firm that shares our commitment to excellence for our clients and community.”