As technology advances at an unprecedented pace, the legal frameworks surrounding innovation are under increasing pressure to keep up. Intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance, and product development oversight have become more complex — requiring not just legal expertise, but also a deep understanding of the technologies in question.
This growing need has given rise to a new kind of legal professional: one who is equally fluent in code and contracts. Among those who embody this intersection is Feras Mousilli, an attorney whose career path illustrates how multidisciplinary skill sets are shaping the future of technology law.
From Code to Counsel
Mousilli’s background is rooted in engineering — with undergraduate degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science, followed by a Master’s in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University. Rather than taking a traditional engineering path, he chose to attend law school at the University of Texas, seeking to bridge the gap between innovation and the legal systems that govern it.
This dual expertise has become increasingly relevant in today’s innovation-driven economy. “Understanding how products are built from a technical perspective has allowed for identifying risks and protecting value in a way that has become crucial,” says Mousilli. It’s a perspective that’s served him and his clients well.
Big Tech and Legal Complexity
Early in his legal career, Mousilli joined the global law firm DLA Piper as a patent litigation attorney. His ability to decode complex engineering concepts made him particularly effective in high-stakes IP disputes.
He then transitioned in-house at Dell, where he was the youngest lawyer ever hired onto their legal team. There, he worked on marketing law and later led a global legal audit team that spanned over 17 countries. His role grew to include legal oversight for a $10 billion business unit — managing issues from software licensing to export compliance.
Later, at Apple, Mousilli was part of the legal team advising on what would eventually become the Apple Watch. While much of the work was highly confidential, the experience underscores how deeply embedded legal counsel must be in product teams at today’s leading tech companies.
Legal Strategy in a Startup World
Beyond his work in large corporations, Mousilli is the founding and Managing Partner at Lloyd & Mousilli, a boutique law firm advising clients across the tech ecosystem — from early-stage startups to established giants like Broadcom and Amazon. His focus ranges from advertising & marketing law and IP strategies to corporate & commercial general counsel.
Clients in emerging tech sectors — including AI, hardware, and software — often face legal questions that have no clear precedent. Mousilli’s approach is to help clients “build legal resilience” from the ground up, designing frameworks that allow them to innovate responsibly and scale with confidence.
“The law shouldn’t slow innovation down — it should help shape it safely,” Mousilli explains. “That’s where lawyers with technical fluency can really make a difference. If the only thing your counsel says is no, a startup is not receiving actionable advice.”
Teaching and Thought Leadership
Mousilli’s career also includes a strong focus on public service and education. He has taught entrepreneurship and legal strategy as a Fulbright Specialist in countries including Ukraine, Colombia, and Türkiye, and has served as a guest lecturer at law schools such as the University of Texas and UC Berkeley.
A recurring theme in his teaching: the future of law lies in multidisciplinary thinking. “The days of lawyers operating in isolation from the product world are over,” he tells students. “To be effective, you need to understand the context in which innovation happens.”
A Broader Impact
His commitment to public interest work is reflected in his recognition by Volunteer Legal Services, which awarded him the Judge Suzanne Covington Pro Bono Award. He has also served as Chairman of the Board at the Arab Film and Media Institute, where he helps promote representation through the arts and media.
Recognition followed — he was named a Texas Rising Star by Texas Monthly in 2010 and was listed in 2024 as one of the top 15 trademark attorneys in the United States out of more than 40,000 candidates evaluated.
Lessons from a Multidisciplinary Career
Feras Mousilli’s story is more than a personal success; it’s a case study in how the legal profession is evolving. As companies become more data-driven, global, and fast-moving, legal advisors must evolve too — not only interpreting the law but anticipating how new technologies might change it.
His path shows that combining technical literacy with legal training is no longer optional in certain sectors — it’s becoming essential. Whether supporting billion-dollar tech initiatives or guiding a startup through its first product launch, the ability to translate between worlds is what sets today’s most effective legal advisors apart.