After getting my Undergraduate in Mathematics, Masters in Computer Science and law degrees from the University of North Carolina, I practiced patent law in New York and then Dallas, Texas for many years, before settling to the Washington, DC area in 2001. In 2010, I started my own law practice covering all things intellectual property, counseling clients, procuring their IP, licensing, litigation, etc. My wife, Dr. Diana Van Dyke, a dentist and fiction writer, and I live in Montgomery County Maryland, where a few years ago we got over twice as much snow as in the Chicago blizzard of 1967.

So many good memories to chose from and some bittersweet. I still remember the wonder of the first day at Lane. Similar to Harry's entry to Hogwarts portrayed by Rowling, I remember first walking the hallowed halls of Lane. I also remember the joy of graduation nearly four years later, but also the realization that things would never be the same.

I am writing on the basics of intellectual property law, and also on the underlying philosophy of the intellectual property system in the U.S. and the world. Inspired by my talented wife, I am writing fiction as well.

In addition to practicing law, I teach Intellectual Property law, write/speak frequently on technology and the law, am active in various legal and technical groups, currently chairing several and serve on various Boards, testify at government hearings on IP, help the State Department by speaking with visiting foreign dignitaries about US IP laws, was a delegate in Geneva, travel extensively across the world on business and speaking/teaching, including Europe, South America and Asia, and am initiating an international forum for IP education starting in 2015. Life is good.

Lane provided me a framework of learning, and encouraged me to accomplish. To this day, in dealing with teenagers asking about high school, I remember the Lane experience, which has given me a good standard by which to judge learning. Also, Lane promoted my innate love of science, tempered by the arts. In addition to all my technical and legal accomplishments, I treasure my Minor in Classical Greek.