Jennifer Criss

Jennifer Criss is an intellectual property and technology attorney who advises companies on the legal and strategic issues tied to complex corporate transactions. Her work centers on protecting and structuring valuable technology and IP assets during mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and asset carve-outs while helping organizations negotiate agreements essential to modern technology-driven business operations.

Jennifer earned her A.B. in Art History and French from Bowdoin College, graduating Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. She later completed an M.A. in History of Art at the University of Pennsylvania, then a Ph.D. in History of Art there, and a J.D. from George Mason University School of Law.

Jennifer focuses on the intellectual property and technology components of corporate transactions where innovation drives value. She guides global companies through negotiations involving software, technology platforms, and proprietary assets, ensuring the legal framework supports long-term business strategy while protecting ownership, licensing rights, and operational flexibility.

Jennifer also advises global organizations forming strategic partnerships and collaborations built around emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. She helps businesses prepare for acquisitions, develop remediation strategies, and evaluate intellectual property risks when investing in innovative technology companies or integrating advanced digital tools into existing operations.

Jennifer regularly drafts and negotiates complex commercial agreements involving software, SaaS platforms, licensing, joint development, reseller relationships, consulting arrangements, and other technology transactions. She also counsels clients on copyright protection and ownership issues, helping companies manage creative and technical assets across media, technology, and digital industries.

Jennifer has held leadership roles within the American Bar Association’s Section of Intellectual Property Law for more than fifteen years and serves on the Section’s Council and Continuing Legal Education Board. Her honors include Former William Penn Fellow, University of Pennsylvania, and Fellow, American Bar Foundation.

Jennifer Criss previously taught art history at The George Washington University and American University before entering legal practice. Jennifer Criss also received several prestigious fellowships, including Former Chateaubriand Fellow, French Government, Former Fellow, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Former Fellow, The Phillips Collection, Washington, DC.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
• Member, American Bar Association, Section of Intellectual Property Law

Licensed State

• District of Columbia
• Virginia

Education

• George Mason University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Pennsylvania
  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
• University of Pennsylvania
  Master of Arts (MA)
• Bowdoin College
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges