Barnes & Thornburg announced today that Joseph R. Morrison Jr. has joined the firm’s Southeast Michigan office as a partner in the Corporate Department. Joe is the latest addition to Barnes & Thornburg’s Corporate Department this year, following Laurian Cristea in New York and Raleigh, M. Shams Billah in New York, Jay Knight and Taylor Wirth in Nashville, and Kevin DiDio, also in Southeast Michigan.
Joe serves as outside general counsel for entrepreneurs, investors and high-growth companies located throughout the United States, helping them navigate legal and business challenges. He also advises on technology and intellectual property licensing, venture and institutional financing rounds, governance matters and employment and real estate issues.
Joe joins Barnes & Thornburg from a large Michigan-based law firm.
“With first-hand experience in technology and high-growth businesses, Joe is a fantastic resource for entrepreneurs looking to grow and scale their companies or those looking to invest in emerging companies,” said David Gotlieb, Chair of Barnes & Thornburg’s Corporate Department. “He also has an impressive background in negotiating sophisticated transactions, making him a well-rounded addition to our team.”
Before private practice, Joe was an information technology (IT) consultant for an international business consulting company and corporate counsel and consulting manager for a Michigan-based IT startup.
An active member of the venture community in Michigan and across the country, Joe regularly presents to startup groups and students of the University of Michigan on legal issues facing high-growth companies and entrepreneurs.
In addition to the firm’s Southeast Michigan office, Joe will be spending time in the firm’s Los Angeles office to support clients on the West Coast.
“Joe is the second corporate partner to join our Southeast Michigan office this year as we continue to prioritize our office’s growth in this area,” said Robert Stead, partner-in-charge of Barnes & Thornburg’s Southeast Michigan office. “We look forward to leveraging Joe’s strong presence in the community to bolster our relationships and offerings in Michigan and across our national platform.”
Joe earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.S. in business administration from the University of Richmond Robins School of Business.