Professional Biography
Image of Marcelo Halpern

Marcelo Halpern Partner

Member, Firmwide Executive Committee

  • Chicago

    D +1.312.324.8535

    F +1.312.324.9535

    Chicago

    110 North Wacker Drive, 34th Floor

    Chicago, IL 60606

    +1.312.324.8535

    MHalpern@perkinscoie.com

  • New York

    D +1.212.261.6881

    F +1.212.977.1649

    New York

    1155 Avenue of the Americas, 22nd Floor

    New York, NY 10036-2711

    +1.212.261.6881

    MHalpern@perkinscoie.com

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Overview

Marcelo Halpern is a seasoned lawyer focusing on complex commercial transactions at the nexus of law and technology. Representing a range of entities from multinational Fortune 100 companies to startups, governments, and nonprofits, Marcelo guides his clients through collaboration, development, distribution, licensing, manufacturing, and service relationships in a wide range of industries.

Marcelo approaches client engagements as a “systems thinker.” He uses a multifaceted problem-solving methodology that situates legal issues within the context of a client’s broader business strategies. Marcelo believes clients’ needs are best served by prioritizing the big picture and balancing risks to rewards in the competitive environments in which they operate. He crafts holistic, adaptable strategies to address complex business challenges by leveraging his exceptional interdisciplinary knowledge of law, business, and technology. This client-centered, rigorous, and pragmatic approach delivers highly tailored, robust, long-term business solutions.

Collaboration is key to Marcelo’s practice. He actively partners with colleagues and clients, building teams to address the spectrum of business and legal risks—including intellectual property, tax, antitrust, bankruptcy, accounting, and regulatory matters—that arise during transactions. That collaboration extends to opposing parties, helping clients to create effective solutions and build long-term relationships across the negotiating table. Clients trust Marcelo to synthesize disparate perspectives and deliver customized, enduring results.

Today’s leading enterprises turn to emerging technologies to fuel growth and open new revenue streams. Clients repeatedly rely on Marcelo’s knowledge to guide them in their use of cutting-edge technologies, such as data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities, mobile and cloud computing, and industrial processes.

Marcelo applies his unique systems thinker approach to help clients understand and effectively manage emerging and future technologies in mission-critical transactions. These include strategic alliances and joint ventures, industry alliances, outsourcing and enterprise resource planning implementations, and complex licensing transactions. His work with clients also includes open-source licensing, data use and privacy issues, marketing and distribution strategies, hardware design and development, and manufacturing agreements.

His practice covers IP and technology issues in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), financings, data management, and technology transfer transactions.

Beyond his professional practice, Marcelo is dedicated to community service. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Youth Guidance, serving on the organization’s Executive Committee and chairing the governance and legal affairs committee. He also serves as President of the Board of Directors for The Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois. From 2006 to 2015, he served on the Board of Directors of Illinois Legal Aid Online, including two years as President.

Ranked by Chambers & Best Lawyers

Named “Technology Law Lawyer of the Year” by The Best Lawyers in America, 2022
Ranked by Chambers USA 20 Years in a Row

Professional Recognition

  • Ranked by Chambers USA as “America’s Leading Lawyer" for Technology & Outsourcing, 2004-2023; (Nationwide) Technology, 2021-2023
  • Listed as a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyers Magazine, 2009-2011, 2013-2024
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America: Technology Law, 2006  2024
  • Listed in Intellectual Asset Management Patent 1000, 2018-2023
  • Named the Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year" for Technology Law, 2016, 2022
  • Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Fintech & Blockchain, 2021 
  • American Bar Foundation Fellow, 2017-present
  • Illinois Leading Lawyers Network, 2004-present 
  • Legal 500, Leading Lawyer, 2005-present

*The Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law and no certificate, award or recognition is a requirement to practice law in Illinois.

Professional Leadership

  • The Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois, Board of Directors, President
  • Practising Law Institute, Advanced Licensing Agreements program, Chair
  • Practising Law Institute, Understanding the Intellectual Property License program, Chair
  • International Technology Law Association (ITechLaw), Membership Committee, Local Representative 
  • American Bar Association, Science and Technology Section, Member
  • Illinois State Bar Association, Member
  • Chicago Bar Association, Financial and Emerging Technologies Committee, Member

Community Involvement

  • Youth Guidance, Board of Directors, 2015-present
  • Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois, Board of Directors, 2018-present
  • Illinois Legal Aid Online, Board of Directors, 2006-2015, President, 2011-2013

Related Employment

  • Latham & Watkins LLP, Chicago, IL, Partner
  • Gordon & Glickson LLC, Chicago, IL, Partner

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