Raphael (Ray) Freiwirth was formerly in-house patent counsel for Qualcomm Inc for over 12 years, with over 15 years of experience in Intellectual Property (“IP”) law and over 20 years of experience as an engineer for various software and firmware companies. While the IP practice was primarily to advise and prosecute patent applications, he also advised on trademark, copyright and trade secret practice. Technologies included hardware wired connections for cell phones, autos and servers, wireless cellular, memory as well as software technology for IoT, group communication and social media platforms. Some of these technologies were involved with standards, specifically standards essential patents (SEPs). Ray also mentored engineers in Qualcomm Ventures, ImpaQt and other “startup” focused concepts internal to Qualcomm. Prior to Qualcomm he worked at a law firm advising on M&A for companies acquiring startups, as well as open source advisements.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Ray spent several decades working in the computer data communications industry, including managing groups responsible for rolling out major software infrastructure on a global scale for Citibank, Time Warner and Morgan Stanley.  Technologies included internet, email and directory services, as well as security procedures and processes and Fintech. He obtained a Certified Information Systems Security Professional [CISSP] status through the International Information Systems Security Certifications Consortium (ISC)².  Ray was personally involved in prototyping, coding and integrating phototypesetters, portfolio management systems (for wholesale banks), document interchange formats, electronic mail systems (civilian and DoD) and security processes.

Ray also ran his own software company, advising for Open Software Foundation, Harvard University, Data General, Southern Company and others. He also attempted (and failed) a startup during the “dot com” era.  He loves working with all people that have ideas that may change the way we look at the world and feels comfortable working in the engineering/business environment.