Welcome to The Copyright Cite, a website dedicated to exploring copyright law across borders: combining practical insights from U.S. litigation with international perspectives shaped by work in Europe, Latin America, and beyond.
Who am I?
My name is John, and I am a multilingual copyright attorney dedicated to protecting clients’ creativity on a global scale. Working efficiently with businesses and individuals, from multinational companies to local artists, I have assisted clients with copyright disputes worldwide. I co-founded the law firm Phillips & Bathke, P.C., which handles a variety of intellectual property and business matters.
My background
A musician at heart, I received my bachelor’s of music from Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music. At Vanderbilt, I performed in the musical theater production of The Fantasticks and the opera production of Gianni Schicci. In the latter, foreshadowing my later career turn, I played the lawyer. I now use music as a form of respite from my busy legal career and have performed in local theater and choirs.
Between college and law school, I spent three years in Europe. I lived two years in Rennes, France, a summer in Bordighera, Italy, and one year in Granada, Spain. I speak both Spanish and French and love learning new languages. I have since studied German, Arabic, and Portuguese.
Beyond the practice
When not practicing law, I teach at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. I am also a member of the Associate Board and a volunteer attorney for Lawyers for the Creative Arts. I previously served as a Board Member for Arts Partners of Central Illinois.