Burr & Forman has expanded its Intellectual Property practice with the addition of Derrick Souza as an associate in the firm’s Charlotte office. His legal and technical background allows him to work at the intersection of patent law and complex technologies, including telecommunications, signal processing, and cryptography.

Derrick supports inventors throughout the patent application process, drawing on his experience as a licensed practitioner and former examiner for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), while ensuring clarity and compliance with USPTO requirements.

While earning his J.D. from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, Derrick gained experience in patent research, including drafting, prior art searching, and market analysis, as a legal intern and resident. He earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Clemson University.