Practice Area

IP & Technology Transactions

Neal & Leroy’s Intellectual Property and Technology practice brings deep experience with the technical and commercial issues shaping these fast-moving industries. We counsel on the full range of IP matters, including IP ownership, structuring and licensing. We address issues proactively, structuring agreements to provide clarity, manage risk and withstand the challenges as technology evolves. We are also at the forefront of artificial intelligence, including robotics and physical AI, counseling a range of companies and organizations in these dynamic industries.

How We Approach Intellectual Property & Technology Transactions

Technology and intellectual property transactions require agreements that protect valuable assets while supporting how those assets will be developed, used, shared, and commercialized. Our attorneys advise clients across a broad range of matters, tailoring each agreement to the specific technology, objectives, and risks involved rather than relying on templates built for transactions from years past.

Much of our work involves core intellectual property transactions: drafting and negotiating IP licensing agreements, structuring joint development and collaboration agreements, and handling technology transfer agreements. We also advise on the technology and commercial contracts that support day-to-day operations, including software licensing, cloud services agreements, and master services agreements.

As technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics continue to evolve, so do the legal and commercial considerations surrounding them. We advise clients on artificial intelligence and machine learning work, including licensing agreements and corporate structuring for AI-driven businesses, as well as robotics and autonomous systems matters, including liability frameworks and data ownership rights. N&L has successfully represented companies across the supply chain robotics sector, negotiating transactions while securing data ownership and other protective rights in our clients’ agreements.

We also support the IP and technology considerations that arise in mergers, acquisitions, and financings, helping clients address these issues as part of a larger transaction rather than as an afterthought.

For clients in digital media, we handle content licensing and distribution agreements, user-generated content and platform terms of service, and sponsorship agreements. Data has also become central to nearly every technology transaction, and we advise clients on data licensing, privacy and data protection compliance, work that increasingly overlaps with the other transactional matters we handle.

We work across the full range of IP and technology matters: licensing and collaboration agreements, software and cloud contracts, structuring emerging technologies, and IP due diligence for mergers and financings.

Additionally, we partner with clients on digital media agreements and data privacy compliance, areas that increasingly overlap with more traditional transactional matters.

Clients developing new platforms, products, or businesses need agreements that reflect the technology and business model at hand, rather than templates legal strategies based on transactions or guidance from years past. We tailor our agreements to the specific technology, objectives, and risks involved.

OUR IP & TECHNOLOGY TRANSACTIONS PRACTICE

Intellectual Property Transactions, including licensing, joint development, and technology transfer
Technology and Commercial Contracts, including software licensing, SaaS, cloud services, and master services agreements
Emerging Technologies, including AI/ML licensing and structuring, robotics, autonomous systems, and agentic commerce
Corporate & Financing Support, including IP and technology diligence for mergers, acquisitions, and financings
Digital Media & Content, including licensing, distribution, user-generated content, and sponsorships
Data, Privacy and Cybersecurity, including data licensing and privacy and data protection compliance

08/20/2026

Neal & Leroy advised Model Evaluation and Threat Research, Inc. (METR), a nonprofit organization focused on AI safety research,

Neal & Leroy advised Model Evaluation and Threat Research, Inc. (METR), a nonprofit organization focused on AI safety research, in connection with the structuring, agreement negotiation and launch of its groundbreaking industry risk assessment and the launch of its first Frontier Risk Report. Under the pilot, METR conducted independent risk assessments evaluating loss-of-control risks associated with frontier AI models developed by Anthropic, Google DeepMind, Meta, and OpenAI. The assessments involved technical access to each participant's models, review of non-public information regarding capabilities, alignment, and control measures, and the preparation of company-specific private reports and an industry-wide public report summarizing METR's findings across the participants. The resulting Frontier Risk Report, spanning over 300 pages, represents the first independent, cross-industry assessment of loss-of-control risks from advanced AI agents and is intended to create an evidence base for use by industry, civil society, academia, and government in evaluating and responding to such risks.

08/20/2026

Neal & Leroy represents a growing roster of clients at the forefront of the artificial intelligence industry, advising on cutting-edge legal matters arising from the development, deployment, and commercialization of AI technologies. The firm’s AI practice encompasses a broad range of engagements, including counsel on supply chain robotics, AI safety frameworks, and AI model development and licensing

Neal & Leroy represents a growing roster of clients at the forefront of the artificial intelligence industry, advising on cutting-edge legal matters arising from the development, deployment, and commercialization of AI technologies. The firm’s AI practice encompasses a broad range of engagements, including counsel on supply chain robotics, AI safety frameworks, and AI model development and licensing

08/20/2026

Neal & Leroy served as outside counsel to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District on acquisition of over 150 residential and commercial property interests for the Addison Creek Channel Improvements Project and Harvey reservoir project, which addressed flooding risk to over 2,000 structures from Harvey to Northlake to Burbank.

Neal & Leroy served as outside counsel to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District on acquisition of over 150 residential and commercial property interests for the Addison Creek Channel Improvements Project and Harvey reservoir project, which addressed flooding risk to over 2,000 structures from Harvey to Northlake to Burbank.

08/20/2026

Neal & Leroy served as outside counsel to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District on property acquisitions for the Melvina Ditch Reservoir Project, which addressed flooding in Burbank and Oak Lawn, and supervised relocation benefits for displaced individuals.

Neal & Leroy served as outside counsel to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District on property acquisitions for the Melvina Ditch Reservoir Project, which addressed flooding in Burbank and Oak Lawn, and supervised relocation benefits for displaced individuals.