Ana Claudia C. Guedes

Ana Claudia Guedes is a seasoned negotiator and trusted advisor, known for her strong business acumen and cross-cultural competence. With over 20 years of experience spanning both law firm and in-house roles, she brings a strategic, client-focused approach to intellectual property and business law—handling both transactional and litigation matters.

Ms. Guedes began her legal career at an AmLaw 50 firm, where she focused on litigation involving trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and contractual disputes. She later served in two General Counsel positions, expanding her expertise across the full business lifecycle, including early-stage venture capital (ECVC) and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

In her business and commercial law practice, Ms. Guedes advises both domestic and multinational clients across diverse industries. Her transactional work spans corporate formation, strategic planning, and the negotiation of commercial agreements. Her in-house experience—including leadership of internal legal departments and coordination with outside counsel—makes her an especially effective outside general counsel. Whether working alongside in-house legal teams or directly with C-suite executives, she excels at building long-term relationships and becoming a trusted strategic partner.

Ms. Guedes approaches business disputes with a focus on achieving practical, business-centered solutions. She understands that most companies benefit from avoiding protracted litigation—but when necessary, she is a skilled and confident litigator, ready to advocate forcefully in court.

In her intellectual property practice, Ms. Guedes represents global brands in copyright and trademark strategy, prosecution, licensing, and litigation—including proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and the World Intellectual Property Organization. Her trademark clients include world-class athletes, for whom she also handles name, image, and likeness (NIL) matters, such as endorsement and sponsorship agreements, alongside trademark registration and enforcement.

Ms. Guedes has also represented athletes in disciplinary proceedings before the NFL Commissioner, the World Anti-Doping Agency, the International Olympic Committee, and various state athletic commissions. She brings deep knowledge of the sports industry and sports marketing landscape.