Pete Smits

About Pete Smits

For over 13 years at National Instruments as the global head of IP litigation, I settled more than 10 non-practicing entity [NPE] cases, yielding a $10M cost savings for the company. while maintaining nominal outside counsel expenditures averaging $15-20K.Using my over 25 years of experience in the technology world, I directed the global oversight, maintenance, and reinforcement of the corporation\'s intellectual property, including patent licensing and prosecution, trademarks, copyrights, software licensing and distribution, publishing, and IT transactions.I also successfully rebranded NI during the COVID pandemic by filing trademark applications in 50+ countries for a new logo and tagline, resulting in a well-known and registered brand three years later, all while staying under budget. And, with the advent of MLS in Austin in 2021, I negotiated NI\'s sponsorship of Austin FC, the most satisfying transaction of my sports-loving life. I\'m confident that I left the IP world at National Instruments (now part of Emerson) in great shape with excellent prospects for the company, and look forward to doing the same at my next position.Away from work, my interests are travel, languages, learning piano, raising many cats, gambling, sports in general, March Madness, reading, and finance. Along with my passion for craft beer, I am on the Board of Directors of BlackStar Co-op, a local Austin brewery and brewpub.

Experience

1. Hearings and Tax Litigation Attorney

   Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

   Oct 2024 — Present · Austin, TX, US

Education

• The University of Dallas

  Master of Business Administration - MBA

• Michigan State University

  Bachelor of Science - BS

• The University of Texas School of Law

  Law

Skills

• Software Licensing
• Copyright Law
• Intellectual Property
• Patents
• Licensing
• Semiconductors
• Contract Negotiation
• Start-Ups
• Electronics
• Patent Litigation
• Patent Prosecution
• Negotiation
• Mergers
• Strategic Planning
• Due Diligence
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Legal Writing
• Product Management
• Product Development
• Software
• Management
• Trademarks
• Strategy
• Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Trade Secrets
• Corporate Law
• Leadership
• Legal Research
• Mergers & Acquisitions