A 1989 graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, Francine Denise Ward earned her undergraduate degree in 1986 from the City University of New York---Hunter College. Admitted to practice in both California and New York, her IP focus is on copyrights, trademarks, internet, and publishing law.  Ms. Ward has carved out a niche working with eCommerce entrepreneurs, information marketers, authors, and professional speakers.

Not surprisingly, Francine loves working with entrepreneurs and authors--because she is one!  She understands from firsthand experience the importance of safeguarding what she's invested so much time and money creating, e.g, books, articles, web content, product, videos, her brand and the right to create these things. She’s written two self-help books (Esteemable Acts: 10 Actions for Building Real Self-Esteem and 52 Weeks of Esteemable Acts: A Guide to Right Living), has given a number of motivational business keynotes, and has talked extensively to entrepreneurs on the importance of protecting their valuable intellectual property. She has now expanded her reach to social media, including the Second Life.

Francine Ward is an active member of the American Bar Association's Intellectual Property Law Section, and currently chairs Committee 408 (In the Interest of Individuals and Small Businesses). Always willing to be of service and forever involved in her community, Francine volunteers her time helping women struggling with addiction who have lost their kids, she’s on the boards of the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drugs in the Bay Area and the National Speakers Association, and is a probono volunteer lawyer through the VLSP program with the San Francisco Bar Association. Francine D. Ward resides in Mill Valley, CA with her husband Richard Lipfield, and three cats, Mango, Spike, and Kiwi.

Feel free to visit her on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/francineward.

Follow Francine on Twitter for useful and relevant legal information:  www.Twitter.com/francineward and check out her legal Fan Page on

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Francineward

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