William (Wally) Letson Email & Phone Number

Atlanta, Ga, Us

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Global Growth & Technology Counsel Lead U.S. Commercial Counsel

Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia-Pacific's Intellectual Property Team was integrated into its parent company's shared services organization (Koch Companies Public Sector, LLC).

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Advised leadership for 7 diverse business units globally in largest privately-held US company (#4 globally). Sole patent counsel for multiple Retail and Professional consumer products businesses. Oversee, value, protect, and enforce patent and IP matters. Worked directly with executive officers, senior business management, and technology leaders with emphasis on driving innovation and growing brand patent portfolios.• Counseled various B2B and CPG businesses and senior leaders with respect to patents, trade secrets, licensing, joint development, and intellectual property litigation issues with targeted efforts for strategic product development in highly competitive marketplaces.• Directed, advised, and partnered with clients on patent and related IP issues, including formulation of patent strategies in research and development projects to achieve growth through innovation.• Developed and managed global patent strategy that targeted growth in key markets and accelerates product innovations around the world.• Led portfolio optimization review initiative with business units, including collaboration with R&D and senior business leaders to improve patent and invention disclosure processes. Recognized departmental cost savings and avoidances in excess of $700K.• Reviewed, drafted, and negotiated joint development, licensing, service, and other IP-related agreements, and the IP aspects of commercial contracts for GP and affiliate companies, including INVISTA and Molex.• Conducted M&A due diligence analyses and provide IP-related advice for acquisitions, potential acquisitions, divestitures, and investments in excess of $2.75B (aggregate total).

Counsel for multiple business units in international markets contributing to Net Sales in excess of $1.2 billion annually. Experiences include regional counsel for two of four global business sectors (Adult and Feminine Care), patent counsel and liaison for Healthcare and Professional business sectors, sole patent attorney for medical device subsidiary, and team member of US business unit.• Counseled clients regarding patent, trade secret, licensing, joint development, and litigation issues for affiliates located in Mexico, Latin America, South America, Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia-Pacific.• Directed and advised clients on patent and related IP issues including the formulation of patent strategies in research and development projects.• Enhanced and managed the IP assets and operations of the affiliates in Company’s Mexico and Latin American Operations (LAO) through processes improving invention submission programs, outside counsel management, clearance processes, budget planning, Intellectual Asset Review Committees, and targeted development efforts for strategic product development in highly competitive marketplaces. Enhancements resulted in substantial reductions in speed-to-market timing at a significant cost savings.• Facilitated and assisted in creation and execution of complex business plans, technology plans, and strategic initiative plans for multiple product teams in a cross-culture environment.• Provided patent clearance, validity, invalidity, infringement, and non-infringement opinions for foreign affiliates.• Successfully led cost reduction initiative within Law & Government Affairs. Recognized departmental cost savings, cost avoidances, and working capital reductions exceeded $6MM (6.5+% of departmental budget).• Managed and coordinated international patent litigationAdditional positions included: - Senior International Patent Attorney - Senior Patent Attorney - Patent Attorney

Juris Doctor

Bs, Chemical Engineering

Education record