Verified profile

Adam Aft

Technology Transactions Partner at Baker & McKenzie

Adam Aft's profile photo
LocationChicagoIllinois, United States
Current rolePartnerBaker McKenzie LLP · since Jan 2019
Government service2yrsCourt of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit · U.S. District Court · Court of Federal Claims

About

Adam Aft helps global companies navigate the complex issues regarding intellectual property, data, and technology in M&A and technology transactions. He is the lead of the Firm's North America Technology Transactions group and co-leads the group globally. Adam also served as a law clerk to the Honorable Leslie H. Southwick of the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the Honorable Theresa L. Springmann of the US District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.

Roles

Jan 2019–Present
Current role

Partner

Baker McKenzie LLP

Chicago, Illinois

Strategy & TransactionsAttorney AdvisorTechnologyCommunications LawFinancial AdvisorLegal Officers and PractitionersIntellectual Property AttorneyData PrivacyProjects, Programs and Advisors

Adam advises clients on transformational activities, including the intellectual property, data and data privacy, and technology aspects of mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, back office transformations, new product and service initiatives, and new trends driving business such as data monetization and artificial intelligence.

Adam also represents clients in structuring and drafting technology and software license agreements, telecommunication agreements, cloud agreements, supply chain agreements, outsourcing agreements, and other agreements involving data, intellectual property, and technology.

Feb 2015–Present
Current role

Associate

Baker McKenzie LLP

Chicago, Illinois

Civil LitigationIT SpecialistCommunications LawData PrivacyIntellectual Property

Represent clients in the drafting and negotiation of strategic agreements relating to IT, outsourcing, technology transfers, intellectual property, joint ventures, telecommunications, and cloud computing.

Oct 2012–Jan 2015
Former role

Associate

Hogan Lovells

Virginia

Attorney AdvisorCommunications LawFinancial AdvisorIntellectual Property Attorney

Advise clients on a variety of intellectual property and transactional matters, from trademark and copyright prosecution and enforcement to structuring and drafting of technology and media licenses. Represent clients in the drafting and negotiation of strategic agreements relating to outsourcing; technology transfers; joint ventures; social media; sports; telecommunications; consulting services; cloud computing; and intellectual property, software, and IT aspects of mergers and acquisitions.

Aug 2011–Aug 2012
Former role

Law Clerk

Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

(appointed)Mississippi

Law ClerkResearchLegal Assistance

Served as judicial law clerk to the Honorable Leslie H. Southwick, researching and drafting opinions, orders, and bench memoranda.

Aug 2010–Aug 2011
Former role

Law Clerk

U.S. District Court

(appointed)Indiana

Law ClerkResearchLegal Assistance

Served as judicial law clerk to the Honorable Theresa L. Springmann, researching and drafting opinions, orders, and bench memoranda.

May 2009–Jul 2009
Former role

Summer Associate

Hogan Lovells

Virginia

Legal Officers and Practitioners
Jan 2009–May 2009
Former role

Judicial Extern

Court of Federal Claims

(appointed)

Legal Assistance

Served as Judicial Intern to the Honorable Loren A. Smith, researching and drafting opinions, orders, and bench memoranda.

Feb 2007–May 2007
Former role

Administrative Assistant

Indiana University School of Law

Indiana

Administrative Assistant
May 2003–Aug 2008
Former role

Summer Asociate / Research Clerk

Morgan & Finnegan LLP

ResearchLegal AssistanceLegal Officers and Practitioners

Representative matters

M&A - Intellectual Property, Data/Data Privacy, and Technology

July 2025

Regularly advised publicly listed and private company clients on IP, data/data privacy, and technology issues in billions of dollars of acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic investments, including: Technology, Media, and Telecom (including software, OEM, AI, IoT, FinTech, and tech-enabled industrial applications) Health/Pharma (including software, medical devices, and healthcare technology) Consumer Goods and Retail (including technology aspects of packaging, home goods and food products) Manufacturing (including automotive, packing delivery, traditional manufacturing, and chemicals)

Data, Cloud, and Software

July 2025

Drafted and negotiated cloud and XaaS agreements for clients (both buy and sell side) in industries including pharmaceutical, internet of things/communication infrastructure, and consumer electronics. Structured data licensing and processing agreements for big data analytics application for pharmaceutical client seeking to use data analytics to drive better care outcomes. Developed open source policy and guidelines for clients enabling effective use and management of open source.

Telecom, Connectivity, and IoT

July 2025

Represented automotive OEM on multiple transformational telecommunications agreements, including all telecommunications connectivity to and within its production facilities. Drafted terms and conditions for IoT devices for clients in industries including energy, office supplies, and consumer electronics and advised regarding related IoT requirements.

Outsourcing and Application Development

July 2025

Represented transportation company in IT outsourcing agreement. Subsequently represented same client in outsourcing development and maintenance of transformational back office system (global, harmonized system in a cloud environment). Represented quick service restaurant in business process outsourcing of finance and accounting services.

Product Advisory and Supply Chain

July 2025

Advised IoT client regarding third-party manufacturer, testing, and finished good supply agreements. Advised multiple clients on consumer product and warranty issues, including under Magnuson-Moss Act in industries ranging from medical devices to office supplies.

Projects

Journal of Legal Metrics

Link

Publications & speeches

AI Bill Emphasizes Transparency And Consumer Control

Law360

November 2019

Co-author

Cases Referencing Cloud Computing

Journal of Legal Metrics

January 2019

Co-author

Global Outsourcing in a Digital World

Practising Law Institute Coursebook

July 2025

Co-author

Insights & Trends From our 2017 Cloud & Digital Disruptions Survey

Silicon India

April 2018

Co-author

Resubmit DMCA Designated Agent Information by December 31st

Lexology

September 2017

Co-author