HOME VALUES ATTORNEYS PRACTICES CAREERS CONTACT Joseph F. Cleveland, Jr. 817.339.2454 jcleveland@belaw.com V-Card Resume Next Practices Litigation Intellectual Property Employment Law Oil and Gas Appellate Certification Board Certified, Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization Clerkship Briefing Attorney for the Honorable Eldon B. Mahon, Senior United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas Education J.D. Mississippi College School of Law, 1990, with special distinction B.A. Texas Christian University, 1987, cum laude Bar Admissions State of Texas, 1990 U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia U.S. District Court, Central District of California U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan U. S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana U.S. District Court, District of Arizona U.S. District Court, District of Colorado Joe Cleveland has practiced in the area of commercial and intellectual property litigation for over 20 years. He has extensive trial and appellate experience representing entrepreneurs, inventors, and private and publicly-traded companies. His practice includes a broad range of complex commercial litigation involving patent, copyright, trademark, trade secrets, antitrust, contracts, employment, oil and gas, securities, and other commercial matters. He has tried cases in both state and federal courts and has successfully handled appeals before the United States Supreme Court and various federal courts of appeals. He also assists clients in protecting intellectual property rights before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and the United States Copyright Office. Mr. Cleveland is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization—a mark of excellence and distinguishing accomplishment achieved by fewer than 10% of practicing attorneys in Texas. Board Certified attorneys in Civil Trial Law are specialists in civil litigation involving contracts, businesses, and business owners. To achieve board certification, Mr. Cleveland was required to pass a rigorous examination and demonstrate extensive expertise and knowledge in his specialty area. He must also engage in a continuous course of study in his specialty. Mr. Cleveland was instrumental in drafting the proposed legislation, preparing the bill analysis and testifying before Senate and House Committees of the 83rd and the 85th Texas Legislatures in support of the adoption of the Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act and amendments thereto. As Chair of the Trade Secrets Committee of the Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, Mr. Cleveland helped draft the Texas Pattern Jury Charges for Misappropriation of Trade Secrets published in the Texas Pattern Jury Charges, which is used by state and federal courts throughout Texas. In the preface to the 2016 edition of the Texas Pattern Jury Charges, Justice Brett Busby, Chair of the Committee on Pattern Jury Charges, noted that “the Texas Pattern Jury Charge Committee was indebted to the Trade Secrets Committee for its work on the pattern jury charges for trade-secret misappropriation. Under the leadership of Joseph F. Cleveland, Jr., the Trade Secrets Committee reviewed and provided significant feedback on the committee’s jury charges on misappropriation of trade secrets. The Trade Secrets Committee’s input was invaluable and helpful to ensure the accuracy of those questions and instructions.” In 2018, Mr. Cleveland received the Chair’s Award for outstanding service to the Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. In 2019, Mr. Cleveland was appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas to serve on the Texas Board of Disciplinary Appeals. Since 2011, Mr. Cleveland has been continuously selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America by Woodward White for Commercial and Intellectual Property Litigation. He is listed as Top 100 Dallas/Fort Worth Super Lawyers by Texas Monthly (2016, 2020). He is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review, signifying the highest level of professional excellence and adherence to the highest ethical standards – a distinction achieved by fewer than 5% of attorneys nationwide. Since 2005, Mr. Cleveland has been continuously recognized by Thomson Reuters in Texas Monthly as a Super Lawyer in Business Litigation – signifying a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement in his practice area. Since 2011, he has been chosen by his peers for inclusion in the List of Top Attorneys for Intellectual Property in Fort Worth, Texas Magazine. In 2002, he was named the Outstanding Young Lawyer of Tarrant County by the Fort Worth – Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association. Mr. Cleveland is a frequent speaker on the topic of intellectual property and trade secrets at seminars throughout the region. Experience Publications Presentations Community Professional Recognition The Best Lawyers in America by Woodward White for Commercial Litigation (2011-2020) and Intellectual Property Litigation (2011-2020) Super Lawyer in Business Litigation by Thomson Reuters, Texas Monthly (2005-2020) List of Top 100 Dallas/Fort Worth Super Lawyers by Texas Monthly (2016, 2020) List of Top Attorneys for Intellectual Property (2011-2020), Fort Worth, Texas Magazine Rated AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas to serve on the Texas Board of Disciplinary Appeals. Outstanding Young Lawyer of Tarrant County by the Fort Worth – Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association (2002) President, Federal Bar Association – Fort Worth Chapter Vice Chair, Intellectual Property Law Section, State Bar of Texas Chair, Trade Secrets Committee, Intellectual Property Section, State Bar of Texas (2013-2016) Chair’s Award for outstanding service to the Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Texas (2017-2018) Founding and Charter Member, Texas Intellectual Property Law Foundation Co-chair, District Court Advisory Committee, United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (1998-2006) Chair, Technology Subcommittee, District Court Advisory Committee, United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (1998-2006) Patent and Local Rules Subcommittees, District Court Advisory Committee, United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (1998-2006, 2018-2019) Technology Subcommittee; District Court Advisory Committee, United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (2015-2020) Chair, Tarrant County Bar Foundation (2019) Director, Tarrant County Bar Association (2005-2007) Chair, Advisory Panel for the reappointment of the Honorable Charles Bleil to United States Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division Advisory Panel for the reappointment of the Honorable Paul D. Stickney to United States Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division Conferee, Fifth Circuit Judicial Conference (New Orleans, 1998; Houston, 1999; San Antonio, 2000; New Orleans, 2001; Dallas, 2002; Austin 2004; San Antonio 2007; New Orleans 2009; San Antonio 2011; Fort Worth 2013; New Orleans 2014; New Orleans, 2015; Grapevine 2017) Barrister, Barbara M.G. Lynn Inn Of Court (2020 – 2021) Barrister, Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court (1997-1999, 2004-2005); Executive Committee/Program Director (1999, 2004) Fort Worth’s 400 Most Influential People, Fort Worth Magazine (2018) President’s Certificate of Outstanding Achievement, Tarrant County Bar Association (1999) 100 Main Street Fort Worth, TX 76102 Telephone 817.338.1700 Facsimile 817.870.2265 © 2018 by Brackett & Ellis, P.C. All rights reserved. Disclaimer | Privacy Policy Website Design by Ardent Creative Login