Ms. François is a partner at J. François Associates and a leading technology and new media lawyer and consultant. She serves as counsel for Fortune 500 companies as well as technology start-ups. She has over twenty years’ experience negotiating and advising on technology transactions, distribution, programming and licensing deals, intellectual property, cyber security, data protection, cloud computing, privacy, open source, e-commerce, social media and regulatory matters. As a member of various associations and think tanks, Ms. François also stays abreast of cutting-edge technologies such as AI, blockchain and crypto currency and current issues affecting the technology and media industries such as net neutrality.
Ms. François started her career practicing corporate law (M&A and financing) at Simpson Thacher Bartlett and then went on to hone her skills in corporate, new media, technology and entertainment law at Schnader Harrison Lewis and Scholastic Inc., the world’s largest children’s publishing company.
Ms. François is also a partner at JFA Realty Group, a real estate development and consulting firm that specializes in negotiating and consummating complex commercial transactions and constructing condominiums, cooperatives and other housing in NY, Florida, the Caribbean, West Africa and other emerging markets. Ms. François is also a
licensed New York and Florida real estate broker.
She currently serves as board member for local, community and youth-based organizations. In 2010, she was appointed by New York State Governor Paterson and confirmed by NYC Mayor Bloomberg to serve as a Director on the Board of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation. In recognition of her leadership and service to her community and alma mater, Ms. François was selected to be a member of the Society of Columbia Graduates.
In addition to her legal and real estate endeavors, Ms. François has a passion for health and wellness. She is a certified yoga instructor, herbalist and wellness coach. She is in the process of opening a wellness and fitness center in Miami, Florida.
Ms. François earned her bachelors degree in English from Columbia University. She went on to achieve her J.D.
from Harvard Law School, cum laude.