William Harris Needle

William Harris Needle, 80, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away at his home on April 11, 2026, surrounded by the people he loved. Born in Tampa, Florida, on October 8, 1945, Bill grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, a city that remained close to his heart throughout his life.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1967, followed by a Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law in 1970.

Over a legal career spanning more than 46 years, Bill established himself as one of the foremost intellectual property attorneys in the United States. He began his career at Newton, Hopkins & Ormsby, Atlanta’s first IP boutique firm, before founding Needle & Rosenberg in 1983. The firm grew into one of the largest IP boutiques in the Southeast before merging with Ballard Spahr LLP in 2008. At Ballard Spahr, Bill served as the inaugural Chair of the Intellectual Property Department and later retired as a partner in 2016.

Bill served for more than 30 years as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia on intellectual property matters. In addition, he was a JAMS neutral and Special Master, mediating and arbitrating complex intellectual property disputes. His work included notable matters such as the Cabbage Patch Kids® copyright and trademark litigation, as well as cases protecting the Vidalia® onion and Domino’s Pizza® trademarks.

His accomplishments brought him widespread recognition. Chambers & Partners honored him as a “dean of the IP Bar of Atlanta” and awarded him its highest Band 1 ranking in Georgia every year from 2003 to 2015. He was listed annually in The Best Lawyers in America from 1991 to 2021, named a Georgia “Super Lawyer” by Atlanta magazine for more than a decade, and received the 2015 IP Legends Award.

A dedicated educator, he served as an adjunct professor at Emory University School of Law, Georgia State University College of Law, the University of Georgia School of Law, and the Charleston School of Law. He also traveled to Beijing to teach U.S. intellectual property law at Beijing Normal University and Renmin University of China.

Bill had many passions, including discovering and introducing others to off-the-beaten-path donut, breakfast, and barbecue spots. In fact, he became a certified Memphis in May barbecue judge. He stayed active through racquetball, tennis, and weightlifting. He traveled the world and stayed informed through a wide range of magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times—a habit he picked up from his mother, Josephine, as a young boy.

Above all, Bill’s greatest pride and joy was his family. He was married to his beloved wife, Valerie, for 58 years. He was a constant source of encouragement, wisdom, and humor to his four daughters, taking immense pride in the lives they built. 

Known affectionately as “Dede” to his seven grandchildren, he was fully present, endlessly supportive, and deeply engaged in their lives. They brought him boundless happiness. Bill created a family life rich with connection, laughter, and love that will endure across generations.

Bill is survived by his loving wife and partner, Valerie Mopper Needle; his four daughters, Jennifer Campbell (Patrick), Julianne Walsh (James), Meredith Lewis (Ben), and Amanda Mohan (Jake); his seven grandchildren, Josephine, Emmett, Sydney, Will, Isabelle, Wren, and Elliott; and his brother, Jack Needle. He was preceded in death by his father, Mitchell Needle; his mother, Josephine Needle; and his brother, Dick Needle.

A funeral service will be held in Charleston, South Carolina, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, and a memorial service in Atlanta on Friday, April 17, at The Temple. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Bill’s memory to the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Georgia Tech, The Temple in Atlanta, or Congregation Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim in Charleston, South Carolina.

Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc.