With more than 25 years of Intellectual Property experience, Joel actively tries cases in both state and federal courts. A founding member and former co-chair of the firm's Intellectual Property and Technology Service Group, he manages all aspects of infringement litigation for both federal and state courts, including trial and appellate practice. He has also prepared and prosecuted trademark and copyright applications, prosecuted and defended trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings, negotiated and prepared trademark and copyright assignment and license agreements, and negotiated and prepared software licensing and consulting agreements.
Recent Assignments
- Successfully obtained judgment as a matter of law for non-infringement of patents in jury trial before the Eastern District of Texas
- Successfully defended software copyright and trademarks in Microsoft v. Eagle Computer Systems, Inc.
- Successfully enforced patent rights in GLW Incorporated v. Euphonix, Inc., intellectual property protection program
- Handled one of the biggest mark transfers ever for ELECTROLUX
Recent News, Articles & Speaking Engagements
- The Twelve Days of I.P. Christmas, with Jeffrey A. Haeberlin , James Hayne , Thomas J. Mihill (TJ) , Mari-Elise Paul , B. Aaron Schulman , Gary N. Stewart (Nick) , and Patrick M. Torre, Stites & Harbison Client Alert, December 14, 2022
- Dispute Counseling and Strategies, Eleventh Annual Trademark Boot Camp, September 1, 2021
- Amazon Unveils Its Utility Patent Neutral Evaluation Procedure, Stites & Harbison Client Alert, May 13, 2019
- Understanding Individual Property Rights and Avoiding Pitfalls in Your Practice, Scaling Up Group Dental Symposium, November 14-16, 2018
- One Important Thing To Do Before You Ring In The New Year!, with Mari-Elise Paul, Stites & Harbison Client Alert, December 28, 2017
More Than Stites & Harbison
Mr. Beres is active in the International Trademark Association leadership and served on its Board of Directors (2010-12) and was the Chair of Membership Services Committee (2008-09). He is a Davidson Fellow for Trademark Law at the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville and is a founding member of the Stanford University Alumni Club in Louisville. He also served on the Board of Trustees of St. Francis High School (2010-14) and served on the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Council on Economic Education. Always the technophile, Mr. Beres enjoys tech gadgets and playing with the latest computer hardware and software. True to his Montana roots, he also enjoys fencing, but just the barbed wire variety.
Community Involvement
- Stanford University Alumni Club in Louisville, Founding Member
- International Trademark Association, Board of Directors (2010-12)
- Kentucky Council on Economic Education Board of Directors, Former Member
- Walden School, former member of Board of Trustees (2008-11)
- St. Francis School, Board of Trustees (2010-17)

