Louise Kennedy is a business attorney and Founder of West Hill Technology Counsel, a boutique business and technology law firm. Louise has extensive experience advising companies on strategic and commercial matters relating to the development, marketing and sale of products, services, and software, as well as expertise in intellectual property and on-line business.

West Hill is a boutique business and technology law firm focused on the needs of businesses that create, sell or leverage new and emerging technology. Established in 2008, West Hill provides its expertise to established public and private companies as well as start-ups and social enterprises throughout the Greater Boston area and around the country. As a WBENC-certified business, West Hill is actively redefining the concept of private legal practice by leveraging the skills and experience of top credentialed, business-savvy practitioners seeking professional challenges in a humane and collegial environment. West Hill is dedicated to the success of its clients and provides pro-active, practical advice, helping clients avoid legal issues before they arise.

Prior to forming West Hill, Louise served as in-house counsel at IBM. During this time, she supported Global Sales and Distribution, Business Consulting Services as well as the Lotus brand within IBM Software Group. As brand counsel for Lotus Notes, Louise lead legal teams supporting the acquisition of software businesses in the enterprise collaboration space. She also provided general legal support for software development, licensing, marketing and strategic relationships, with industry leaders including Yahoo!, Google and BlackBerry.

Louise is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts in Massachusetts as well as the state courts of Connecticut and New York. She received her B.A. in Economics from Smith College and her J.D., with honors, from the University of Connecticut School of Law.

Relevant Speaking Experience:

1. Enterprise Center at Salem State University and Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network Northeast Regional Office, February 2019, Workshop Presenter, “The Importance of Having a Social Media Policy”
2. Center for Women and Enterprise, Women’s Business Leadership Conference, October 2018, Panelist, “The Future is Here: Is Your Business Ready?”
3. Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses National Summit, February 2018, Speaker, “Planning to Sell or Acquire? The Role of Intellectual Property.”
4. Center for Women and Enterprise, Women’s Business Leadership Conference, October 2017, Workshop Presenter, “Fortune Befriends the Bold: Grow Your Business with Strategic Partnerships”
5. Enterprise Center at Salem State University and Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network Northeast Regional Office, September 2016, Workshop Presenter, “Is Your Website Legally Protected?”
6. Boston Business Women Conference, May 2016, Fireside Chat Guest, “Working with Lawyers to Grow your Business”
7. Enterprise Center at Salem State University and Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network Northeast Regional Office, June 2015, Workshop Presenter, “Writing a Written Information Security Program (WISP)”
8. Enterprise Center at Salem State University and Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network Northeast Regional Office, May 2015, Workshop Co-Presenter, “Creative Staffing: using employees and contractors to grow your business”
9. Center for Women and Enterprise, Women’s Business Leadership Conference, September 2014, Panelist, “Future-Proof Your Internet Marketing Strategy”
10. Center for Women and Enterprise, Women’s Business Leadership Conference, September 2014, Panelist, “Are You Putting Your Business at Risk? How to Avoid Common Threats and Pitfalls”
11. North Shore Innoventures University, September 2013, Speaker, “5 Legal Pitfalls of Your Business Website (and how to avoid them)”