Alliance Law Group

Jacob Frank is Of Counsel to the firm. His practice at Alliance Law Group broadly focuses on: corporate and business advice, particularly to smaller and mid-size companies in the technology sector. This includes, for example, corporate and business formation, employee agreements, confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements, all types of corporate transactions and contracts including the marketing and licensing of services both in the US and internationally, as well as advice on the protection and licensing of intellectual property assets. Additionally, based upon his previous experience, Jake will provide counseling services to corporate management in both large and small companies on all aspects of corporate issues. Prior to joining the firm Jake was Vice President and General Counsel of Data General Corporation, a computer company, with whom he served for twenty seven years. In that capacity he counseled and guided the Company over that period in all areas of corporate law and in litigation, and administered a law department averaging between 17 to 28 professionals. Preceding that, Jake served as patent counsel for Hoffman LaRoche for four years in the field of medical electronics. Before that Jake was general counsel for Farrington Electronics for five years. Jake began his professional career as a patent examiner for the US Patent Office. Jake was an adjunct professor of law with Suffolk Law School in Boston, Massachusetts, for a period of three years during which time he taught a course covering the licensing of intellectual property rights including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets.

Before helping found the firm, Mr. Blakeley practiced with several well-known firms in the United States, including Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering, and Sidley & Austin, where he was a partner in the Washington, D.C. office. Mr. Blakeley received his undergraduate degree from New College in Sarasota, Florida in 1975. He received a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1979, where he also served as a member of the Editorial Board of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review. Following graduation from law school, he served for one year as a law clerk to Judge Max Rosenn on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Craig is a member of the Virginia and District of Columbia Bars.

Kathleen McDermott is Of Counsel to the firm. Her practice at Alliance Law Group concentrates mainly upon commercial real estate, administrative law, small business clients and start-up ventures. Ms. McDermott began her professional career as an advisory attorney for the Department of the Interior and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In 1986, she joined the practice of a large corporate and energy law firm in Washington, D.C. In 1989, Ms. McDermott opened her own general law practice in Northern Virginia which concentrated primarily on real estate law and advising small businesses. In addition to working with Alliance Law Group, Ms. McDermott maintains her separate solo practice which focuses on residential real estate.

In addition Michael Nicolay serves as an engineering consultant to the firm and its clients on radio-frequency spectrum, electronic equipment approvals, and other related issues.

Steve Kaminer's practice focuses on communications law including broadcasting and wireless issues, as well as matters relating to electronic equipment regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. Steve advises companies and individuals on all aspects of Federal regulation of communications services, facilities and products. He served at the Federal Communications Commission in various capacities from 1983 until August of 1999. Prior to joining the firm, his most recent position was Legal Advisor to the Chief of the Office of Engineering & Technology. In that capacity, he advised the FCC's Chief Engineer as to the legal and policy implications of decisions involving spectrum allocation, radiofrequency emissions limits and the Commission's equipment authorization program. Previously, Steve served as Legal Advisor to FCC Commissioners Sherrie P. Marshall and Mimi Weyforth Dawson. He also served as Deputy Chief of the Policy & Rules Division of the FCC's Mass Media Bureau and as Acting Chief of the Office of Legislative Affairs. Prior to joining the FCC, Mr. Kaminer was an associate at the New York law firm of White & Case, where he concentrated on securities and corporate law.