© 2017 The Texas Lawbook.
By Brooks Igo
(Feb. 20) – McKool Smith recently announced that Frank Vecella, the former associate general counsel of litigation at Ericsson, has joined the firm’s Dallas office as a principal.
During his 16-year tenure at Ericsson, Vecella managed all of the company’s litigation in the U.S. and Canada and advised on the communications technology company’s major disputes around the world. McKool Smith was his go-to firm for intellectual property litigation.
“It has been a great ride, but it was time for a change of scenery,” Vecella said. “I didn’t want to stop working for Ericsson, but I wanted to do other things as well.”
One of the things Vecella is looking forward to is the chance to serve as a consultant on litigation for smaller companies without a legal department.
Vecella is currently representing his former employer in a case against China-based TCL Corporation over the what the appropriate rates are for TLC to use Ericsson’s essential patents.
He says the case is “cutting-edge” because the judge in the trial will be adjudicating the terms of what FRAND defines.
As head of litigation at Ericsson, Vecella led a team of three attorneys and two paralegals. He is handing off his leadership role to Ryan Wirtz.
“The opportunity for advancement in corporate legal departments is tough,” he said. “Ryan was more than ready to assume my role.”
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