Franklin Chou
Senior Associate
27th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Franklin focuses his practice on technology transactions, data privacy, information security, software and data licensing, fintech, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. He advises clients on a broad range of commercial and technology matters, helping businesses procure, develop, commercialize, and deploy technology products and services.
Franklin regularly counsels both emerging companies and established businesses on complex technology...
Franklin focuses his practice on technology transactions, data privacy, information security, software and data licensing, fintech, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. He advises clients on a broad range of commercial and technology matters, helping businesses procure, develop, commercialize, and deploy technology products and services.
Franklin regularly counsels both emerging companies and established businesses on complex technology and commercial transactions, including software licensing, SaaS and cloud services agreements, data licensing and data products, artificial intelligence solutions, robotics, outsourcing arrangements, manufacturing and supply agreements, university-developed intellectual property, and professional services engagements. His experience spans a variety of industries and technologies, including fintech platforms, mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services, industrial software and integrated hardware/software solutions, SCADA and operational technology systems, and other technology-enabled products and services. Drawing on experience serving as both outside counsel and in-house legal counsel, Franklin provides practical guidance that aligns legal strategy with business objectives throughout the product and company lifecycle.
Franklin also supports mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic investments involving technology-driven businesses. Leveraging his technical background, he assists clients in evaluating software assets, data rights, intellectual property licensing arrangements, technology infrastructure, and ongoing commercial relationships during transaction diligence and integration planning. He also advises on transition services arrangements, technology separation issues, and other operational considerations arising from complex, service-intensive transactions.
Prior to joining the Firm, Franklin served as a technical lead and in-house legal counsel at New York-based fintech company PeerIQ, where he advised on technology, commercial, and regulatory matters. Before practicing law, he worked as a full-stack software engineer with experience in web application development and distributed computing.
Franklin serves as Co-Chair of the firm's Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander (AANAPI) Affinity Group.
and commercial transactions, including software licensing, SaaS and cloud services agreements, data licensing and data products, artificial intelligence solutions, robotics, outsourcing arrangements, manufacturing and supply agreements, university-developed intellectual property, and professional services engagements. His experience spans a variety of industries and technologies, including fintech platforms, mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services, industrial software and integrated hardware/software solutions, SCADA and operational technology systems, and other technology-enabled products and services. Drawing on experience serving as both outside counsel and in-house legal counsel, Franklin provides practical guidance that aligns legal strategy with business objectives throughout the product and company lifecycle.
Franklin also supports mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic investments involving technology-driven businesses. Leveraging his technical background, he assists clients in evaluating software assets, data rights, intellectual property licensing arrangements, technology infrastructure, and ongoing commercial relationships during transaction diligence and integration planning. He also advises on transition services arrangements, technology separation issues, and other operational considerations arising from complex, service-intensive transactions.
Prior to joining the Firm, Franklin served as a technical lead and in-house legal counsel at New York-based fintech company PeerIQ, where he advised on technology, commercial, and regulatory matters. Before practicing law, he worked as a full-stack software engineer with experience in web application development and distributed computing.
Franklin serves as Co-Chair of the firm's Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander (AANAPI) Affinity Group.
Experience
Previous Professional Experience
- Corporate Counsel, New York–based fintech company (Sept. 2017–Feb. 2020)
- Experience in emerging technologies (big data, machine learning, DevSecOps, cloud computing, continuous delivery and continuous deployment) at an early stage B2B fintech growth startup.
- Commercial contracts (subscription terms for licensed data and software) for SaaS and DaaS products.
- Corporate governance experience including issuing employee stock incentives (ISOs/NSOs) in compliance with IRC 409A; board resolutions and requests for shareholder consent in compliance with DGCL; and drafting/implementing corporate policies (document retention and related–party transactions).
- General corporate legal operations including employment agreements surrounding IP (BYOD and open source contribution policy); real estate leasing/licensing; and tax compliance.
Externships/Clerkships
- Judicial Clerk to the Honorable David F. Bauman, Superior Court of New Jersey Presiding Judge – Criminal Division (Aug. 2016–Aug. 2017)
Education
-
Seton Hall University School of Law,
JD
(2016)
- Senior Notes Editor, Seton Hall Legislative Journal
- Seton Hall Law Merit Scholarship recipient
-
New Jersey Institute of Technology,
BA
(2013)
- Full University Scholarship recipient
Admissions
- New York
- New Jersey
- California
Practice Areas
Previous Professional Experience
- Corporate Counsel, New York–based fintech company (Sept. 2017–Feb. 2020)
- Experience in emerging technologies (big data, machine learning, DevSecOps, cloud computing, continuous delivery and continuous deployment) at an early stage B2B fintech growth startup.
- Commercial contracts (subscription terms for licensed data and software) for SaaS and DaaS products.
- Corporate governance experience including issuing employee stock incentives (ISOs/NSOs) in compliance with IRC 409A; board resolutions and requests for shareholder consent in compliance with DGCL; and drafting/implementing corporate policies (document retention and related–party transactions).
- General corporate legal operations including employment agreements surrounding IP (BYOD and open source contribution policy); real estate leasing/licensing; and tax compliance.
Externships/Clerkships
- Judicial Clerk to the Honorable David F. Bauman, Superior Court of New Jersey Presiding Judge – Criminal Division (Aug. 2016–Aug. 2017)
Media
Community
- CodeNation Mentor
- Hack It Together Mentor
Franklin focuses his practice on technology transactions, data privacy, information security, software and data licensing, fintech, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. He advises clients on a broad range of commercial and technology matters, helping businesses procure, develop, commercialize, and deploy technology products and services.
Franklin regularly counsels both emerging companies and established businesses on complex technology... and commercial transactions, including software licensing, SaaS and cloud services agreements, data licensing and data products, artificial intelligence solutions, robotics, outsourcing arrangements, manufacturing and supply agreements, university-developed intellectual property, and professional services engagements. His experience spans a variety of industries and technologies, including fintech platforms, mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services, industrial software and integrated hardware/software solutions, SCADA and operational technology systems, and other technology-enabled products and services. Drawing on experience serving as both outside counsel and in-house legal counsel, Franklin provides practical guidance that aligns legal strategy with business objectives throughout the product and company lifecycle.
Franklin also supports mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic investments involving technology-driven businesses. Leveraging his technical background, he assists clients in evaluating software assets, data rights, intellectual property licensing arrangements, technology infrastructure, and ongoing commercial relationships during transaction diligence and integration planning. He also advises on transition services arrangements, technology separation issues, and other operational considerations arising from complex, service-intensive transactions.
Prior to joining the Firm, Franklin served as a technical lead and in-house legal counsel at New York-based fintech company PeerIQ, where he advised on technology, commercial, and regulatory matters. Before practicing law, he worked as a full-stack software engineer with experience in web application development and distributed computing.
Franklin serves as Co-Chair of the firm's Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander (AANAPI) Affinity Group.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Previous Professional Experience
- Corporate Counsel, New York–based fintech company (Sept. 2017–Feb. 2020)
- Experience in emerging technologies (big data, machine learning, DevSecOps, cloud computing, continuous delivery and continuous deployment) at an early stage B2B fintech growth startup.
- Commercial contracts (subscription terms for licensed data and software) for SaaS and DaaS products.
- Corporate governance experience including issuing employee stock incentives (ISOs/NSOs) in compliance with IRC 409A; board resolutions and requests for shareholder consent in compliance with DGCL; and drafting/implementing corporate policies (document retention and related–party transactions).
- General corporate legal operations including employment agreements surrounding IP (BYOD and open source contribution policy); real estate leasing/licensing; and tax compliance.
Externships/Clerkships
- Judicial Clerk to the Honorable David F. Bauman, Superior Court of New Jersey Presiding Judge – Criminal Division (Aug. 2016–Aug. 2017)
Education
-
Seton Hall University School of Law,
JD
(2016)
- Senior Notes Editor, Seton Hall Legislative Journal
- Seton Hall Law Merit Scholarship recipient
-
New Jersey Institute of Technology,
BA
(2013)
- Full University Scholarship recipient
Admissions
- New York
- New Jersey
- California
Practice Areas
- Outsourcing & Managed Services
- Cloud Computing, Licensing, & Transactions
- FinTech
- Cybersecurity & Data Privacy
Industries
- CodeNation Mentor
- Hack It Together Mentor
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