Colleen McDuffie

Partner

Washington, D.C.

Colleen McDuffie, a partner in Orrick’s Technology Transactions Group, is a trusted advisor to management teams and in-house counsel as data-driven collaborations and innovation are vital to how companies operate today.

She brings a deep understanding of what drives innovative companies and a market reputation for efficiently and effectively getting intellectual property transactions and other complex commercial deals done.

Colleen counsels companies at all stages, from startups to Fortune 100, on the technology license and development agreements that drive their businesses, the strategic alliances that grow their industry relationships, and any other technology- and IP-driven agreements that are needed so companies can meet their business goals.

Colleen has extensive experience drafting and negotiating a wide variety of complex commercial agreements, including: intellectual property and data licenses; software development and license agreements; IT-focused services agreements, including consulting, development, hosting, and various “as-a-service” agreements; manufacturing and distribution agreements; joint venture and joint development agreements; and technology and intellectual property acquisition and disposition agreements. She also provides advice in connection with intellectual property and technology matters attendant to M&A and other corporate transactions.

She brings deep experience in the mobility technologies space, from connected vehicles and their supporting IT platforms to clean fuel technologies. She also has extensive experience in semiconductor design and fabrication, satellites and space technologies, telecommunications, and adtech.

Colleen has been involved in numerous pro bono activities, including: volunteering with voting rights and voter protection organizations; advising Georgetown’s Halcyon House social entrepreneurship fellows on intellectual property matters; hosting a start-up IP licensing webinar; and drafting and negotiating agreements for a PSA supporting equal wages for women.

Before becoming an attorney, Colleen spent several years working as a computer hardware and software engineer and performing research at a scientific think tank.

  • A representative selection of Colleen's IP licensing and technology transactions experience includes the following:

    • Big Data Platform Provider: Agreements for platform development and operation; data licenses and data services agreements.
    • Leading Global Manufacturer: Professional services and outsourcing agreements, including for contingent workforce management and IT system management.
    • Automotive Company: SaaS and other IT services agreements, including for augmented reality manufacturing tools, talent recruiting platform, white-labeled customer applications, and a logistics management system.
    • Fortune 100 Technology Company: IP portfolio acquisition and license agreements; IP/commercial transaction diligence in connection with technology acquisitions and IP-driven mergers.
    • Toyota: Agreements for development of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric heavy-duty truck that emits only water vapor and a pilot launch for drayage operations at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.
    • Marketing Analytics Firm: Professional services and data analytics platform agreements.