Minnesota Icons 2025: Brent Routman, Merchant & Gould

Brent Routman is a partner at Merchant & Gould, where he has practiced intellectual property law since moving to Minneapolis in 1995. Throughout his 43-year career, he has held numerous leadership positions within the firm, including supervising attorney in the International Patent Department, Asian regional attorney, chief operating officer and general counsel.

Routman began his legal career as an immigration attorney in Miami after graduating from law school in his home state of Ohio. During that time, he built strong bonds with the local Haitian community and hosted a bilingual call-in radio show to answer legal questions. Seeking greater work-life balance after the birth of his first child, he pivoted to education and taught eighth-grade social studies before moving into higher education, working in the career services departments at the University of Miami and University of Georgia law schools.

As an inventor and entrepreneur himself, Routman was drawn to intellectual property law and the opportunity to serve clients with innovative mindsets. He frequently represents Merchant abroad, combining his legal expertise with relationship-building skills and his interest in exploring new cultures. As general counsel, he draws on his background in both law and psychology, helping attorneys navigate challenges, resolve disagreements and address complex questions.

Routman’s community service includes serving as president of the Hennepin County Bar Association in 2004-2005, where he launched the Leaders Impacting the Nonprofit Community program, an initiative that trains lawyers on how to effectively work within nonprofits and serve on boards. The institute launched in 2005 and remains active today. He also started a book club to bring Twin Cities lawyers and judges together, which continues meeting more than two decades later.

As president of the Minnesota State Bar Association, Routman arranged a trip to Cuba in 2011 for himself and 31 other attorneys and judges to examine the country’s legal system firsthand. He served as president of the Coalition for Impartial Justice and represented the American Bar Association in international intellectual property treaty negotiations. He invented a child safety device that was sold in stores and represents clients in pro bono cases throughout his career.