Overview

John Lynn co-leads Kirkland’s Technology & IP Transactions Practice and heads the practice on the West Coast and in Texas. John is on the forefront of understanding the complex relationships between intellectual property and technology, on the one hand, and business matters and risk, on the other hand.

John works on a wide variety of matters in which technology, data protection, and artificial intelligence play a key role, including advising large strategic companies, smaller technology companies, and private equity funds in various matters, such as mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures (particularly in the software and high technology fields); financings, secured lending matters, and liability management transactions; intellectual property and technology licenses; and bankruptcies and restructurings. John is a trusted advisor to clients navigating technology and legal issues, including the rapidly evolving legal landscape surrounding artificial intelligence.

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Thought Leadership

Speaking Engagements

“AI in Practice: Innovation and Real-World Impact,” The USA Artificial Intelligence Summit, June 3, 2025

“The Future of IP Management: Leveraging AI & Digital Transformation,” Global IP ConfEx, May 14, 2025

“A Data Privacy Symposium on Trends, Challenges, and Emerging Risks,” UC Law Data Privacy Symposium, March 24, 2025

“Legal Issues Related to Artificial Intelligence,” European and International IT-law, April 29, 2024

“Be Careful When Using AI!,” 23rd Annual Texas Intellectual Property Law Journal Symposium 2024, Securing Innovation Intellectual Property’s Key Role in Shaping Modern Industries,” March 1, 2024

“AI Issues for The C-Suite,” Gen AI Forum, November 2, 2023

“Artificial Intelligence (AI) 2.0: Hot Topics and Making AI Work for You,” Knowledge Now, A Virtual CLE Series, October 5, 2023

“The New ‘Private’: Protecting Your Company’s Information in a Fully Remote World,” TechGC Virtual Private Dinner, March 9, 2021

“The New ‘Private’: Protecting Your Company’s Information in a Fully Remote World,” TechGC Virtual Private Dinner, January 21, 2021

“Privacy: Preparing for the CA Consumer Privacy Act (II),” TechGC National Summit, New York Stock Exchange, October 24, 2019

Recognition

Recognized by Mergers & Acquisitions for “Software Deal of the Year,” 2025

Recognized in The Legal 500 United States for Technology: Transactions, 2014, 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2023

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 2022, Texas
  • 2006, California
  • 1999, New York

Education

  • Emory University School of LawJ.D.with Distinction1998

    Dean's List 6 out of 6 semesters

    Order of the Coif

    Managing Editor, Emory Law Journal

    Co-Founder, Emory Intellectual Property Society

  • Georgia Institute of TechnologyM.S., Aerospace Engineering1994
  • Georgia Institute of TechnologyB.S., Aerospace Engineeringwith Highest Honors1993