Eric helps emerging companies with intellectual property strategy and issues relating to federally-funded R&D. Eric began his career at the USPTO, and, after entering private practice, he spent several years successfully litigating high-stakes patent infringement lawsuits. Eric has a knack for quickly picking up new technologies, helping startups to develop comprehensive IP strategies, and cost-effectively delivering results. Eric is a leading expert on IP issues for startups receiving federal R&D funding, and he speaks and publishes frequently on IP and other issues relating to the SBIR program–a federal program that annually awards approximately $5B to startups conducting high-impact R&D. He volunteers as a member of the IP Committee for the Small Business Technology Council, which is an education and advocacy organization focused on the SBIR program.