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BALTIMORE—Nicholas Hawkins built a reputation in Baltimore helping one of the city’s most prominent companies create, protect and monetize their trademarks and brand identity. Now, the former Under Armour in-house counsel has moved to Womble Bond Dickinson, where he will provide transactional, IP and branding guidance to a wide range of clients across numerous industries.
Hawkins’ practice will include working with growth companies to help them establish their businesses. He is able to provide these companies with perspective on branding and trademark issues that is atypical for a corporate and securities practitioner. In addition, Hawkins will advise on advertising and social media law, and FTC compliance with influencer and endorsement agreements. He also has experience working with GDPR and data privacy concerns.
“My goal is to add value to clients through a range of services, not just in one area of the law. Many emerging growth companies are under-resourced, and they can really benefit from an outside counsel who can solve multiple problems,” Hawkins said.
At Under Armour, Hawkins worked on creative matters featuring many A-list athletes and celebrities. But the opportunity to work with Barry Herman was a key factor in his decision to join Womble Bond Dickinson.
“I’ve known Nick since he was a third-year law school student,” Herman, who is also the Managing Partner of Womble Bond Dickinson’s Baltimore office, said. “There’s a level of trust between us. I know he is going to do a great job for our clients.”
Hawkins also said that “the opportunity to use my experience working for one of the world’s largest sports brands to advise other clients both large and small, especially those in the tech, apparel and sports categories” was another driving factor in his decision to join Womble Bond Dickinson.
Sarah Keefe, co-leader of Womble Bond Dickinson’s Trademarks and Brand Management Service Team, said, “We are excited to add a lawyer with Nick’s skillsets to our already deep IP bench. His in-house company perspective, and his experience in the apparel sector and in combating counterfeiting problems worldwide, will be immediately put to use here at Womble Bond Dickinson. We, and our clients, expect him to hit the ground running”
In addition to his work as an attorney, Hawkins is active in a range of community and professional organizations in Baltimore, including:
- President of the University of Baltimore Law Alumni Association. In fact, he is scheduled to speak at UB’s upcoming graduation ceremony.
- Treasurer of the Maryland State Bar Association’s IP Section;
- Baltimore Clayworks Board of Directors;
- Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, serving as a mentor to college-bound high school students; and
- Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.
Hawkins is a graduate of Loyola College Maryland (now Loyola University Maryland), the University of Baltimore School of Law and the University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business.
