Alexander Franco has over 20 years of experience developing and managing patent portfolios in the high-tech industry. As a patent attorney with an MBA, he brings a business and finance-oriented perspective to the protection of his clients’ intellectual property. Alex’s practice includes patent preparation and prosecution in various technologies including computer software and AI, domestic and foreign patent portfolio management, advising on the use of AI in the invention disclosure process, and patent strategy for startup to mid-sized organizations.

Prior to joining OGC, Alex served as intellectual property legal counsel for Accenture, where he handled a diverse range of matters including patent licensing operations, patent portfolio analysis, invention harvesting, management of outside patent prosecution counsel, and open source software policy.

Previously, Alex served as AOL’s in-house patent counsel, managing the company’s patent portfolio, chairing its patent committees, handling incoming patent assertions, and engaging in patent license negotiations. He developed the processes and systems for harvesting, prosecuting, maintaining, and analyzing thousands of international patent matters, and provided legal counsel for AOL’s participation in several standards-setting organizations.

Alex began his legal career at Knobbe Martens, drafting and prosecuting patent applications across computer software and hardware, digital and analog electronics, engine controls, and mechanical technologies. His clients there included Amazon, Micron Technology, RealNetworks, and Yamaha.

Alex holds a BS with Distinction in Applied Physics from Cornell University, a Master of Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a joint J.D./MBA from George Washington University.

When Alex is not practicing patent law or working under the hood of his classic 1961 MGA roadster, you might find him skiing, wakeboarding, swimming, or biking.