Ronald Chichester, P.C.

A Texas-Based Law Firm Specializing in Technology-Related Legal Issues

Artificial Intelligence & Legal Engineering

Ownership of and protectio for artificial intelligence. Regulation of artificial intelligence in the workplace and comerce. Litigation involving systems that incorporate machine learning and artificial agents. Development of legal models that incorporate artificial intelligence and natural langauge processing into software for integration into corporate IT systems.

Blockchains / Smart Contracts

Blockchains for business and commerce, smart contracts, distributed autonomous organizations ("DAO's") (aka digital corporations), and business governance. Smart legal contracts, automated business processes that incorporate blockchains.


Cybersecurity/Privacy

Matters involving computer/network security such as security breach and notification requirements, incident response, privacy issues, privacy policies, information technology system audits, corporate espionage, and computer crimes.

Intellectual Property

Patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, technology licensing, cloud contracts, software audits, SaaS agreements, terms of use agreements and terms of service agreements.


Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity involves the protection of computers and networks. This firm can:

  • Negotiate Settlements with the FTC for Security Breaches
  • Perform Audits of Information Technology Systems
  • Conduct or Direct Investigations (Incidence Response) Involving Breaches of Security on Networks, Servers and PC's
  • Generate Computer Security Policies for Companies
  • Generate Privacy Policies for Company Websites
  • Perform Investigations Involving Computer Crimes and Torts
  • Counsel on Crimes Involving Computer Devices and Systems
  • Perform Investigations Involving the Theft of Company Secrets
  • Perform Limited Penetration Testing of Websites and Computer Systems

Electronic Discovery

Electronic discovery encompasses the acquisition and the analysis of electronic evidence so that it may be admitted in court or use in settlement negotiations.  This firm can provide:

  • Forensic Analysis of Servers, Desktop and Laptop PC's
  • Forensic Analysis of Windows, Mac OS X and Linux Filesystems
  • Forensic Analysis of Cloud-based Applications and Data
  • Litigation Hold Notices
  • Requests for Production of Electronically Stored Information
  • Interrogatories Related to Electronically Stored Information
  • Sanctions for the Spoliation of Electronically Stored Information

Intellectual Property

This firm provides intellectual property and e-commerce services in the following categories.

Patents

Patent Strategy

Patent Infringement Analysis & Opinions

Patent Licensing

Post Grant Opposition

Inter Partes Reexam

Patent Portfolio Management

Trademarks

Trademark Choices & Strategies

Trademark Infringement

Trademark Licensing

Trademark Assignments

Trademark Portfolio Management

Copyrights

Copyright Strategies

Applications for Registration

Copyright Infringement Analysis & Opinions

Copyright Licensing

Software License Strategies

Open Source Licensing Compliance

Handling BSA and SIIA Software Audits

General Intellectual Property

Comprehensive IP Strategies

Non-Disclosure Agreements

Technology Licensing

Non-Competition Agreement Clauses

IP Clauses in Employment Agreements

Provide Policies for the Use of Company Computer Assets

Electronic Commerce

Data Breach/Notification

Terms of Use Agreements for Websites

Privacy Policies for Websites and Apps

Data Privacy and Identity Theft

Domain Name Disputes and ICANN Proceedings

Trade Secrets

Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act

Trade Secret Misappropriation

Mechanics of Maintaining Trade Secrets

Protection of Databases

Ronald Chichester

Profile Summary:

An attorney, expert witness, computer forensic examiner, and IT systems auditor who is experienced in all areas of law and technology involving computers and networks.  Particular specialization in blockchains, smart contracts, smart legal contracts, decentralized autonomous organizations, machine learning, artificial intelligence, computer security, computer crimes, incidence response, electronic discovery, computer forensics, intellectual property (patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets), analysis and comparison of software source code (for copyright infringement and trade secret misappropriation), electronic commerce, identity theft, technology licensing (especially software), data privacy, corporate espionage, database protection and Internet domain name disputes.  Former Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Houston where he taught courses on intellectual property, computer crime and electronic commerce.


Education:

  • B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan
  • M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan
  • Juris Doctorate, University of Houston Law Center

Admissions and Certifications:

  • State Bar of Texas
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • United States District Courts for the District of Nebraska
  • United States Patent & Trademark Office
  • Certified Computer Forensic Examiner

Professional Activities:


Special Skills:

Computer forensic examiner and expert witness for electronic discovery and copyright infringement cases involving computer source code. Ssoftware programming experience in multiple languages. Able to read and to write computer software applications (for desktops and servers) in a variety of languages. Adept at making database-oriented software programs for Internet applications with relational, object, object-relational, and NoSQL database engines. Writes his own software applications for specialized artificial intelligence, data science, electronic discovery and computer forensic matters.