James R. Franks is an intellectual property attorney with over 27 years of extensive experience in chemical practice, including polymer and organic chemistry, as well as experience in other practice areas including, biology, metallurgy, and mechanical arts.

Before joining The Webb Law Firm, Jim served as a patent attorney with the law departments of NOVA Chemicals Inc. and Bayer Corporation, and as a patent agent with the law department of PPG Industries, Inc. Prior to his legal practice, Jim was a research and development chemist with PPG Industries, Inc. for over 12 years. His extensive experience includes providing legal advice with regard to all areas of intellectual property law, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing, joint ventures and infringement; managing litigation, including infringement patent and trademark litigation; preparation, filing, prosecution and appeal of patent applications on chemistry, polymers, mechanical devices, and business methods; preparation of patentability and freedom-to-operate opinions; and confidentiality, joint development, licensing, and research agreement preparation.

Jim is a named inventor on 18 issued U.S. patents. During law school Jim was a member of the Duquesne Law Review; published in Duquesne Law Review, 42 Duq. Rev. 177 (2003); and a comment editor, Duquesne Law Review, Vol-43. Jim was an adjunct faculty member teaching Commercial Use of Intellectual Property at Duquesne Law School from 2013 through 2016.