Spencer Wood is a technology transactions attorney who helps clients leverage and protect intellectual property. Spencer offers tech-savvy counsel to business leaders in a range of industries. From advanced manufacturing and robotics to telehealth and consumer services, clients that produce or use high tech products and services turn to Spencer for advice on their development and licensing deals.  

Spencer helps clients navigate all phases of technology deals, from term sheet stage through the execution of joint development and collaboration agreements, as well as long-term purchase, sale, distribution and reseller agreements. He also regularly helps SaaS providers monetize their assets through service and subscription agreements, and is a trusted advisor on software development projects, hosting arrangements, outsourcing deals, and projects leveraging AI, big data and IoT solutions.

From small start-ups to the largest multi-nationals, Spencer helps clients buy, sell and license patents, trade secrets, trademarks and copyrights. He also advises on matters related to advertising, mobile marketing, sponsorships, product placement, fair use, and publicity rights.

His clients include private equity firms, healthcare providers and hospital systems, manufacturers, media companies, professional services firms, banks and financial institutions, SaaS providers, defense contractors, cultural and educational institutions, and industry trade associations.

On a pro bono basis, Spencer regularly represents individuals and nonprofits in relation to media rights and intellectual property licensing issues.

Education

  • University of Oklahoma (J.D., 1996)
    • with honors
  • Oxford University, Queens College, Oxford, England (1995)
    • Summer Law Seminar
  • University of Wisconsin (B.S., 1993)
    • Journalism

Bar Admission

  • Illinois, 1996
  • New York, 2008
  • Arizona, 2024

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan

Professional Affiliations

  • Licensing Executive Society – Chair, Phoenix Chapter
Publications
2026 Technology Transactions & Data Privacy Report
The Polsinelli Technology Transactions & Data Privacy team is pleased to announce the publication of its sixth annual Technology Transactions & Data Privacy Report, featuring insights into the latest trends and developments shaping today's data privacy, cybersecurity and technology landscape. This report brings together thought leadership from our attorneys, outlining the practical issues that our clients face across privacy, technology, incident response and litigation. As we look to the year ahead, we remain committed to helping clients navigate the increasingly complex environment with technology decisions that are forward-looking and defensible.
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White House Draft EO Targets State AI Laws as New EO Emphasizes Security
Key Takeaways White House draft EO proposes overriding state AI laws with a uniform national standard. A leaked executive order targets over 1,000 state-level AI bills, including laws in California and Colorado, and calls for a centralized federal approach to AI governance. The draft EO signals a potential shift toward federal preemption of state consumer protection laws. If implemented, it could limit states’ ability to regulate AI, disrupt existing compliance strategies and create new litigation exposure for developers and deployers. Organizations should assess AI governance policies and prepare for evolving federal enforcement. Review internal protocols for alignment with likely federal standards, monitor preemption risks and consider how the Genesis Mission’s security directives may impact partnerships.  Last Tuesday, a draft executive order (EO) from the
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