Harper & Bates LLP

Harper & Bates is pleased to announce that we have been included in the 16th Edition of Best Law Firms - United States® for 2026.

Regional Tier 1 - Dallas/Fort Worth
• Litigation - Intellectual Property
• Litigation - Patent
• Trademark Law

Regional Tier 2 - Dallas/Fort Worth
• Aviation Law
• Insurance Law
• Patent Law

Four Harper & Bates Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers 32nd Edition (2026)

Harper & Bates is pleased to announce that four attorneys have been included in the 32nd Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for 2026.

Shannon Bates has been recognized by her peers for her high caliber work in Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law, and Trade Secrets Law. (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021)

Scott Harper has been recognized by his peers for his high caliber work in Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, and Trademark Law. (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021)

Laura Brock has been recognized by her peers for her high caliber work in Litigation - Intellectual Property (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2024)

Chris Kilgore has been recognized by his peers for his high caliber work in Aviation Law, Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021)

We are proud for them to be included in this esteemed group.

Harper & Bates LLP is pleased to announce the promotion of Laura Brock to partner of the firm. With more than 18 years of dedicated experience in intellectual property law, Laura counsels U.S. and international clients in all aspects of trademark clearance, prosecution, and enforcement. She is known for developing creative strategies to help individuals and businesses protect their brands. “I am so pleased and enthusiastic about this new role,” Brock said. “It has been a privilege to work alongside the Harper & Bates team, and I am honored to continue serving clients in this expanded capacity.”

Laura coordinates the international prosecution and management of clients’ global trademark portfolios, working closely with foreign associates worldwide. She also handles administrative trademark disputes, including oppositions, cancellations, and domain name disputes; negotiates IP contracts, including coexistence and licensing agreements; and has assisted in trademark litigation matters throughout her career.

“Laura has been a valuable member of the Harper & Bates LLP team since 2017 and has consistently demonstrated her commitment to providing excellent service to the firm’s clients,” said H&B partner Shannon Bates. “We could not be happier to elevate Laura to partnership in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the firm, and the significant role she will continue to play.”

“We are very proud to welcome Laura as a partner in the firm,” said Scott Harper, partner at H&B. “This appointment is well deserved. Laura is an outstanding and highly respected attorney whose work reflects the H&B philosophy of delivering exceptional service to our clients.”

Harper & Bates LLP is pleased to announce the addition of associate Serene Zidan to the firm’s intellectual property and litigation groups.

Serene’s practice focuses primarily on drafting and prosecuting domestic and foreign patent applications, assisting with intellectual property portfolio management, analyzing patentability and clearance issues, and conducting due diligence investigations. She also supports the firm’s trademark and litigation practices.

With a background in biology and chemistry, Serene brings a strong technical foundation to her practice. Her patent experience spans a broad range of technologies, including mechanical and electromechanical devices, mining equipment and related processes, thermoelectric devices, consumer products, and computer-related innovations.

“We are excited to have such a talented lawyer join our firm,” said partner Scott Harper, “Serene’s insights and drive will be a great addition to our team and help us continue to provide exemplary service to clients.”

Serene graduated cm laude from SMU Dedman School of Law in 2024, where she served as a Corporate Counsel Symposium Editor and Staff Editor for the SMU Law Review Association. Prior to attending law school, she earned her B.S. in Chemistry and B.A. in Biology from Southern Methodist University.

Serene is admitted to practice in both California (2024) and Texas (2025).

We are proud to share that Jordyn Hendrix has been recognized by Texas Super Lawyers as a 2025 Rising Star.

Jordyn is an intellectual property attorney who advises clients on building and maintaining their trademark and copyright portfolios, protecting their rights through enforcement, and resolving IP and commercial related disputes.

She has also handled a variety of issues at all stages of litigation in various Federal District Courts. Her experience includes representation of clients in opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and handling of domain name disputes under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy.

Harper & Bates is pleased to announce that three attorneys have been included in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® .

Shannon Bates has been recognized by her peers for her high caliber work in Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law, and Trade Secrets Law.

Scott Harper has been recognized by his peers for his high caliber work in Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, and Trademark Law.

Jordyn Hendrix has been recognized in the 2026 Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch for her work in Intellectual Property Law, Litigation – Intellectual Property, and Litigation – Patent.

We are proud for them to be included in this esteemed group.

We are thrilled to welcome attorney Tamera Bennett as a new partner at Harper & Bates LLP. With an impressive track record and a wealth of experience in trademark, copyright and entertainment law, Tamera brings a fresh perspective and invaluable expertise to our team.

“Helping the people she can help the most” is her mission statement, one she will continue to fulfill alongside our team as a partner here at Harper & Bates LLP. Our skill and experience in business litigation and intellectual property are a perfect complement to her trademark, copyright, content licensing, and music law practice.

With our combined legal insight and experiences, we can help more people as we empower businesses, brands, inventors, entertainers, athletes, authors, and musicians. Together, we appreciate the continued trust and confidence of our clients.

Tamera and her clients can expect the enthusiastic support of our team as she continues to advise established businesses and creators in content licensing, brand management, and analyzing and crafting plans for music estates and their heirs.

We look forward to achieving great success together and continuing to deliver exceptional service to our clients.

For over 40 years, Best Lawyers has been esteemed by both legal professionals and the public as a premier benchmark for legal integrity and distinction in the United States. Consequently, being recognized by Best Lawyers is a testament to exceptional practice.

Harper & Bates is pleased to announce recognition received by the following attorneys:

Shannon Bates has been selected for inclusion in the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for expertise in:
• Litigation – Intellectual Property
• Litigation – Patent
• Patent Law
• Trade Secrets Law
• Trademark Law

Scott Harper has been selected for inclusion in the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for expertise in:
• Litigation – Intellectual Property
• Litigation – Patent
• Trademark Law

Jordyn Hendrix has been selected for inclusion in the 5th edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for expertise in:
• Intellectual Property Law
• Litigation – Intellectual Property

For more information regarding Best Lawyers and the peer selection process visit: https://www.bestlawyers.com/united-states

Harper & Bates is pleased to announce that it has earned three rankings in the 2023 “Best Law Firm” rankings from U.S. News & World Report Best Lawyers.

In the Dallas market, the firm earned a prestigious Tier 1 ranking in Trademark Law, Litigation – Intellectual Property, and Insurance Law. The firm also earned local Tier 2 rankings in two practice areas, including Aviation Law and Patent Law.

Firms included in the 2023 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Inclusion in the rankings signals a quality law practice and breadth of legal experience and knowledge.

Harper & Bates is pleased to announce that it has earned three rankings in the 2022 “Best Law Firm” rankings from U.S. News & World Report Best Lawyers.

In the Dallas market, the firm earned a prestigious Tier 1 ranking in Litigation – Intellectual Property. The firm also earned local Tier 2 rankings in two practice areas, including Aviation Law and Patent Law, both of which are first-time rankings for the firm.

Firms included in the 2022 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Inclusion in the rankings signals a quality law practice and breadth of legal experience and knowledge.

Harper & Bates is pleased to announce partners Shannon Bates, Scott Harper and Chris Kilgore have each been named 2021 Texas Super Lawyers. Both Bates and Harper were recognized for their work in intellectual property law, while Kilgore was honored in aviation and aerospace.

Harper & Bates is proud to announce partner Shannon Bates has been elected president of the Honorable Barbara M.G. Lynn American Inns of Court for the 2021-2022 term.