Practice Overview

Joel Riff is a member of the firm’s Business and Tax Group and he co-chairs its Intellectual Property Group.  His practice is focused in the areas of intellectual property law and technology-based transactions. 

Joel represents both domestic and global companies that develop, distribute, and use computer and internet technologies, from entrepreneurial start-ups to some of the world’s leading technology companies.  He specializes in the structuring, drafting and negotiating of domestic and international transactions such as license, distribution, dealer, development, consulting, non-disclosure, outsourcing, content, hosting, advertising, strategic partnering, joint venture, and marketing agreements.  Joel also advises his clients on issues relating to copyright, trade secret, trademark, and patent protection; open source software licensing, privacy, and anti-spam laws; and intellectual property aspects of mergers and acquisitions.

Joel is well known in Silicon Valley as an expert in tech transactions.  Previously, he was a partner at GCA Law Partners (formerly known as General Counsel Associates) where he specialized in licensing and other technology transactions.  He began his California legal career at Fenwick & West, where he served as head of its Licensing and Online Commerce Group, organized its first Internet Law Symposium, and co-authored its annual International Legal Protection for Software survey. 
Before coming to California, Joel practiced law in Chicago at Mayer Brown and worked as a software programmer for several years.

Companies Joel has Represented

Professional Activities