Spencer Fane LLP is pleased to welcome Ya-Chiao Chang to the firm’s Dallas office as a partner and China Intellectual Property (IP) Co-Chair in the IP practice group.
Bolstered by vast networks spanning several international business hubs, including deep roots in Beijing and Shanghai, Ya-Chiao represents U.S. and international companies – particularly those based in Taiwan and mainland China – in complex, high-stakes intellectual property matters with a specific focus on litigating patents for traditional and emerging electronics, wireless communications, semiconductors, TV displays, and other technologies. He specializes in analyzing the unique intersecting and diverging components of U.S. and Chinese patent and trademark laws and earns consistent recognition as a leading IP attorney in both countries.
“With deep experience in international intellectual property law and a unique understanding of both U.S. and Chinese patent systems, Ya-Chiao Chang brings exceptional strategic insight to our global IP practice. His arrival strengthens the firm’s ability to serve clients navigating complex cross-border IP challenges and reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative, high-impact legal solutions worldwide,” said John Picone, Chair of the Spencer Fane Intellectual Property Practice Group, which was recognized by Managing IP as the 2025 “Firm to Watch.”
With a highly nuanced understanding of changing litigation landscapes, Ya-Chiao’s scope of work frequently touches multinational corporations throughout Asia, the U.S., and Europe. He regularly advises on IP-related antitrust disputes and resolves global, cross-cultural patent issues.
“Ya-Chiao joins us with a uniquely international perspective that allows him to serve clients with the same level of exceptional service in both domestic and global IP affairs,” said Jason Cross, Office Managing Partner for Spencer Fane in Dallas. “We are excited to add an established attorney whose practice boasts both immense scope and depth to our talented team here in Dallas and look forward to the impact he will have across our growing IP practice.”
Highly attuned to the rapidly evolving nature of U.S.-China trade relations, Ya-Chiao is well-versed in all aspects of regulatory compliance and export control and is notably fluent in Chinese. He was registered as a foreign attorney in Taiwan and the Ministry of Justice of the People’s Republic of China and has represented clients before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where he previously served as a patent examiner, and across diverse state, federal, and international jurisdictions.
“This is one of the fastest-growing full-practice law firms in the U.S., at the right market niche and position for emerging markets such as China,” said Ya-Chiao. “I’m grateful and honored to be joining an excellent group of attorneys and professionals at Spencer Fane.”
Ya-Chiao obtained his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art and earned his Chinese Law Certificate from East China University of Politics and Law and his Juris Doctor from the University of California College of the Law.