The combination of John R. Branson's education in business and marketing and his degree in law works to his advantage as a litigator.

Branson, who is a shareholder in the Memphis office of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC, practices all types of litigation. During his career, he has worked in trademark, copyright and patent law. He has tried numerous jury and non-jury cases.

He is a member of Baker Donelson's Intellectual Property and Commercial Litigation groups.

Branson was born in Mississippi and attended the University of Mississippi, where he received a bachelor's degree in marketing in 1981. He also received a juris doctorate in 1984 from Ole Miss.

Q: What made you want to study law?

A: It seemed interesting and challenging, and seemed like a way to satisfy my interest in writing without starving.

Q: Was it something you always wanted to do?  

A: I remember that I had wanted to do it at least since my junior year in high school.

Q: Where are you from?   

A: My family moved several times, but I was born in Jackson, Miss., and went to high school there, so I claim it as my hometown, even though I don't
have that syrupy Jackson/Southern drawl.

Q: What brought you to Baker Donelson? 

A: I wasn't much enjoying law school so I wanted to try a clerkship to sample law practice. I wanted to try a big firm in a Southern town.
Baker Donelson was the first such
to offer me a job, so I took it, even though I had never heard of Baker Donelson. It meant that I could stop interviewing.

Q: What has been your biggest challenge so far?

A: Tough question. Other than getting through the first few years of law practice - let's just say that law school doesn't do much to prepare one for that - the biggest challenge is not to let the law practice take over the rest of one's life.

Q: What is the best part about your job?

A: It's always something different, there's always something new to learn.

Q: What are you most proud of, personally and professionally?  

A: Personally, I get the most satisfaction from my family. Professionally, the best moments come after helping someone through a really difficult problem, especially the ones that are done pro bono.

Q: If you had not become a lawyer, what would you be doing now?

A: I probably would have gone into business in some way.

Q: What are your goals for the future? 

A: I want to keep learning and getting better.

Q: What do you do when you are not working? 

A: When I am not with my wife, Bonnie, chasing after our toddler son, Jack, I am racing and riding dirt bikes (off-road motorcycles).