JoAnn Holmes, Esq.

JoAnn Holmes ("Jo") serves as Outside General Counsel, providing comprehensive legal solutions and executive level guidance to innovative midsize companies. She helps intimate management teams protect and monetize intellectual property, leverage legal positioning for enhanced profitability, and navigate risks to accomplish business objectives.

With over 20 years of experience serving global organizations, Jo is a pragmatic and trusted advisor. As an external member of clients’ leadership, she focuses on business and legal strategy, commercial contracts, and building licensing programs for recurring revenue. Over her career, Jo has successfully negotiated with multiple Fortune 100 companies, and managed IP portfolios spanning 150+ countries that generate over $2 billion in annual revenue.

Jo founded HOLMES@LAW to provide agile, business-centered legal counsel for the middle market. Our clients often create brands, deliver knowledge expertise, and distribute intellectual property (trademarks, software, creative and business content) with multinational reach. Their diverse industries include tech, food/beverages, manufacturing, healthcare, finance, government, advertising and professional services. The firm’s clients have remarked: “Jo is a top notch professional who brings a wealth of experience. She knows business.”

Jo has been an invited speaker for industry leaders like McKesson Corporation, and respected professional organizations such as the American Institute of Graphic Artists. She's served as an Adjunct Professor of Law, lectured at Cornell and Penn State law schools, and delivered customized workshops to meet client objectives on IP licensing, international expansion, and effective negotiation.

Beyond her legal practice, Jo is committed to service work. She supports local schools, leadership groups, and international charities. A graduate of Stanford University and Emory School of Law, Jo serves on the board of directors for the Stanford National Black Alumni Association. She’s also a member of the advisory boards for two organizations supporting immigrant, and low income, children’s education. Since founding HOLMES@LAW, Jo has dedicated over 300 hours to community service. Please visit our website at www.HolmesAtLaw.com to learn more about how we can work together to support your business success.