News

Leah D. Leyendecker
- E lleyendecker@taftlaw.com
- T (612) 977-8467
- F (612) 977-8650
Summary
Leah focuses her practice on commercial transactions driven by intellectual property, intangible assets, and technology. She has extensive experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating technology-related agreements, including licenses and master services agreements, SaaS agreements, technology development agreements, and sponsorship agreements. She regularly advises clients on intellectual property, licensing, brand protection and sponsorship matters, and provides strategic counsel on the intellectual property and technology aspects of corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions.
Her practice spans a broad range of industries, including advertising, media, technology, sports and entertainment, esports and gaming, software and services, life sciences, food and agribusiness, and consumer packaged foods. This cross-sector experience enables her to anticipate challenges and suggest practical, creative solutions. Notably, she has advised professional sports teams and leagues, on a variety of intellectual property and commercial transactions.
Clients turn to Leah for strategic guidance on the clearance, use, protection, portfolio management, acquisition, and divestiture of trademarks and other intellectual property rights domestically and internationally.
Leah is a Certified Information Privacy Professional in the field of U.S. laws and regulations (CIPP/US), and she also holds the Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) accreditation from the International Association of Privacy Professionals.
Awards
Honoree, 40 Under 40, Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal (2024)
Honoree, Up and Coming Attorney, Minnesota Lawyer (2021)
Honoree, Best Lawyers® “Ones to Watch,” Intellectual Property (2024 – present), Intellectual Property Law (2026)
Honoree, Best Lawyers® “Ones to Watch,” Corporate Law (2021 – present)
Honoree, North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association (2016 – present)
Honoree, Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Intellectual Property (2023 – present)
All Service Areas
All Practices
Education
- University of Minnesota Law School (2015)
cum laude
Minnesota Journal of International Law, Executive Editor, Volume 24 - University of St. Thomas (2010)
magna cum laude
Admissions
- State - Minnesota
News
Leyendecker Appointed as Board Chair of Juxtaposition Arts News
One Hundred Forty-Four Taft Attorneys Selected to Best Lawyers® "Ones to Watch" 2026 News
Thirteen Taft Minneapolis Attorneys Selected to Minnesota Rising Stars 2025 News
Leyendecker Joins Taft's Minneapolis Office
Professional Affiliations
- Twin Cities Diversity in Practice (TCDIP)
1L Mentor
- Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers
Member
- International Trademark Association
Member
- International Association of Privacy Professionals
Member
Community Involvement
- Juxtaposition Arts
Board Chair