Jack Russo

Jack Russo is a founding partner in the Palo Alto law firm of Russo & Hale LLP (also known as Computer Law). The firm’s focus is in representing entrepreneurs and companies in the protection of their ideas, inventions, and businesses; the firm specializes in the areas of Internet, e-commerce, software and other intellectual property protection, infringement, and licensing.

Jack originated some of the early thinking on IP protection of the “look and feel” of computer software and he has been involved in a number of software cases. His 1985 article, Copyright in the “Look and Feel” of Computer Software published in The Computer Lawyer pioneers the subject. He is a member of the State Bars of California, New York, and Washington, D.C. He holds his JD from UCLA School of Law as well as dual M.B.A. degrees from Columbia University and from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business; he also holds a joint Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from City University of New York in Urban Administration and Computer & Information Science.

Before becoming an attorney, Jack worked full-time as a computer programmer and software analyst. He is a Judge Pro Tempore for the Santa Clara Superior Court and an Arbitrator and Mediator for the United States District Court for the Northern District of California as well as for the American Arbitration Association. He has an active Alternative Dispute Resolution practice and has acted as a neutral in over 100 cases in many federal and state civil litigation contexts.

Mr. Russo is a frequent speaker and has presented often to the American Bar Association, Practicing Law Institute, and Computer Law Association; he is Chairman of the non-profit Foundation for Creativity in Dispute Resolution.