Intellectual Property (IP) & product attorney in-house at enterprise software start-up interfacing with both technical and non-technical clients across R&D, Operations, Ecosystem and Legal organizations. Strong interpersonal skills with experience leveraging computer science background to relate complex, technical issues to non-technical audiences in simple, understandable ways that facilitate richer technical-legal conversations. Directly responsible for all open source software (OSS) matters including license compatibility and compliance, strategic decision-making, training, project/community support, and contributor licensing. Create and enforce policies and guidelines on permissible licenses and oversee review of all OSS distributed by company. Implement agile, repeatable and automated processes for R&D engagement with legal that enable developer freedom while simultaneously minimizing risks associated with OSS and IP. Draft and negotiate agreements including end-user licenses (EULAs), terms of service, and program agreements. Assist with trademark and patent portfolio management, IP policy setting, IP and confidentiality trainings, and invention mining. Other responsibilities include matters relating to software download and transfer, online contract formation, IP review during M&A transactions, source code control policies, equity plans, global trade compliance, data collection and privacy, security, and managing litigation.

Prepared and assisted with transition of engineering, product and management teams to spin-off entity (Pivotal) with planned transfer of employment upon completion. Advised, supported and oversaw OSS use, contribution, distribution and other matters for all Pivotal-related assets. Reviewed software portfolio and met with engineers to establish right-sized processes and policies tailored to start-up speed and agility.

Responsible for managing, identifying, and tracking inbound and outbound OSS, proprietary code and third party IP. Worked with engineers across global offices to discover, explain and resolve licensing matters. Assisted in external negotiations for improved software capabilities that better met business objectives. Drafted contractual language to mitigate risks and restrictions relating to OSS in original equipment manufacturer (OEM) arrangements.

Researched and drafted memoranda on patent matters related to marking of microscopic or intangible articles as well as the various theories of joint infringement. Additional responsibilities included: earn-out agreements; employment law requirements for non-profit organizations; and venue rules for claims against state agencies. Reviewed and redlined client documents and agreements for corporate transactions.

Reviewed and interpreted the Communications Decency Act (CDA), Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and international safe harbors for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) under the WIPO Copyright Treaty to advise on risks and liabilities for Internet companies. Drafted memoranda on copyright infringement and damages. Provided guidance on contracts, licenses and click-through agreements. Analyzed FTC guidances to verify advertiser compliance.

Responsible for troubleshooting networking issues and configuration problems, virus removals, data recovery and software distribution while managing six student employees. Conveyed complex, technical concepts to non-technical students, faculty and staff in understandable terms.

Assisted students in writing and debugging C++ programs, led review sessions, and graded projects for the professor.