Derek Forinash

Brief Bio

Derek Forinash serves as outside general counsel and outside patent counsel to technology-driven businesses, helping clients protect what they have built, make the most of their intellectual property, and grow with confidence. With more than two decades of experience spanning both private practice and in-house leadership roles, he brings a practical, business-minded approach to every engagement. Clients value Derek not only for his intellectual property experience, but also for the steady, day-to-day counsel he provides as they navigate important decisions, manage risk, and pursue new opportunities.

The Rest of the Story

Derek grew up on the Gulf Coast and earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana State University in 1995 before moving to Houston to begin his career as an engineer. He started out in the construction industry, working on projects in oil refineries and chemical plants, and later moved into designing and building subsea equipment for the offshore oil industry, as well as downhole tools and other oilfield equipment.

While continuing to work full-time as an engineer, Derek attended the University of Houston Law Center and earned his J.D. in 2002. During law school, he became a registered patent agent and began drafting and prosecuting patents for a leading intellectual property firm. He continued with that firm after law school, developing his skills in patent and trademark prosecution for clients across a wide range of technologies.

In 2007, Derek moved in-house as patent counsel for oilfield service and supply companies, where he expanded his experience in patent prosecution, litigation, and transactional matters, while gaining a deeper appreciation for the day-to-day realities businesses face. Because of his engineering background and firsthand experience designing oilfield equipment, he was able to quickly understand the technologies at the center of his companies’ work and develop patent strategies that supported business goals.

In 2011, Derek returned to private practice at a leading corporate firm, where he continued advising intellectual property clients and broadened his work in complex technology agreements, including SaaS contracts, software licenses, intellectual property and technology licenses, joint development agreements, and other arrangements designed to help clients protect and monetize innovation.

In 2018, one of Derek’s clients launched a new software startup and invited him to serve as its full-time General Counsel. In that role, he provided practical, hands-on guidance across a wide range of legal and business matters, including employment issues, commercial contracts, corporate governance, financial transactions, risk management, and intellectual property oversight.

In 2020, Derek returned to private practice, where he now draws on his combined engineering, in-house, and law firm experience to help clients work through complex legal issues in a clear, practical way, whether that means negotiating a key financing round, drafting agreements that protect or monetize intellectual property, or advising on governance and compliance matters.

Away from work, Derek is the proud father of three young adults and has been married to his wife, Lisa, since 1995. They enjoy spending time together as a family and traveling as they work toward visiting all 50 states.