Smith Anderson Adds Three Leading Technology Lawyers
Smith Anderson continues to enhance the bench strength of its Technology practice and welcomes its latest addition, V. Lori Fuller, one of North Carolina’s foremost technology attorneys. Lori is the third experienced technology attorney the firm has hired in the past year in response to the ever-evolving and high demand of complex legal issues arising from the development, acquisition, protection and exploitation of technology assets and data. Other notable additions this past year included experienced intellectual property attorneys Philip Cardinale and Darrell Fruth, both possessing special IP skillsets.
This expansion of the firm’s Technology practice exemplifies Smith Anderson’s century-old client service philosophy of adapting to changing market demands to uphold high standards of client service. Lori joins the firm from her previous position as General Counsel for the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (DIT) and was the first lawyer assigned by the Attorney General’s Office to advise State Information Processing Services and Information Technology Services, the predecessor agencies of DIT. She has extensive knowledge and experience in information technology, IT procurement and complex contract negotiations.
In her role as General Counsel for DIT, Lori served as the chief legal advisor to the Secretary of DIT/State Chief Information Technology Officer, enabling successful decisions in legislative policy, IT procurement and administrative law issues. In addition to leading negotiations on complex multi-million dollar contracts for cloud computing, software, IT security and enterprise systems for statewide implementation, she also consulted with the Governor’s General Counsel on IT legal issues of statewide impact. Prior to joining DIT, Lori was recognized for her economic development work as lead legal counsel for NCDOT’s Rail Division, NC State Ports Authority and NC Global TransPark Authority, where her work involved management of complex rail, seaport and airport construction and government contracting projects throughout the state.
“We are pleased to welcome Lori to the firm. She is an accomplished attorney whose expansive skillset, creativity and business acumen will help advance our technology, construction and government contracting clients at the highest level,” said Managing Partner Gerald Roach. “Lori’s proven ability to analyze complex legal issues and develop sound negotiation strategies that protect clients and result in desired outcomes makes her an invaluable addition to the firm.”
Smith Anderson’s deep bench of more than 15 technology-focused lawyers regularly engage in complex technology transactions and litigation and support clients of all sizes, ranging from emerging start-ups and university spinouts to publicly traded companies, technology-focused private equity firms and venture capital firms. Client support consists of strategic guidance in the development, acquisition, commercialization and protection of technology products and services; identification and evaluation of intellectual property risks and opportunities; counsel on data privacy and security; and strategic acquisitions and divestitures of technology-based companies and assets, including mergers and acquisitions, collaborations and licensing. Further, the Technology practice team represents clients with needs in domestic and international patent and trademark preparation and prosecution.
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