Attorney & Engineer

Richard W. Cruz-Franqui

Professional Résume

At a Glance:

• Email: ************@*******.***

• Mobile Phone: 787-***-****

• Alternate Phone: 407-***-****

• Address: 2368 Crescent Moon St., Kissimmee, Florida 34746

• Admitted to practice in all courts of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Reg. 16,219.

• Member in good standing of the Puerto Rico Bar Association.

• Admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Reg. 81,467.

• Currently in the process of filing the online Florida Bar Application for the July 2025 Exam. Professional Summary

Attorney with a background in IT, engineering, and project management. Over two decades of legal experience coupled with innovative technology, including 5 years as General Counsel. Skilled, bilingual communicator with a strong academic background. An initiative-taking, results-oriented and purposeful professional with experience in both the public and private sectors. Demonstrated proven record of success in public-private partnerships and federal compliance, coupled with a robust ability to navigate complex regulatory compliance issues. Adept at thriving in demanding environments, committed to continuous improvement, and the pursuit of excellence. Work Experience

Position: Assistant to the Secretary & Director of Information Systems

• Employer: Puerto Rico Department of Education - San Juan, Puerto Rico (On-site)

• From August 2023 to Present

• Monitored and reported to the U.S. Department of Education the results of local compliance efforts. Executed 100% compliance with USDE MOA during 14 consecutive months. Provided guidance to the Puerto Rico Secretary of Education and senior management on federal compliance matters. Oversaw the compliance handling processes for the agency and supported colleagues with compliance handling concerns. Administered the collection of corrective action evidence and informed leadership of compliance or non-conformities. Assisted with external audits by providing necessary documentation and responding to audit inquiries. Collected and analyzed system data for key performance indicators and trend analysis reports.

• Assisted Third-Party Fiduciary Agent (TPFA) and internal stakeholders to conform with federal compliance activities mandated by the U.S. Department of Education: assessing the current state of the agency’s core administrative processes related to grant awards and management; recommending new process models and corresponding implementation plans; procurement procedures that comply with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) as set forth in 2 CFR 200.318-200.326, and local laws/regulations for personal and professional services contracts; procedures for properly charging salary costs in compliance with the Department's program requirements and the Uniform Guidance published in 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E (time distribution and payroll accounting); inventory procedures for managing property in compliance with the Uniform Guidance published in 2 CFR 200.313(a) and (c)-(e)

(fixed assets); developing and implementing a Comprehensive Corrective Action Plan and ensuring sustained progress and compliance with the agency’s requirements.

• Direct a team of over 25 professionals within the Office of Information Systems, consistently achieving technological integration for the management of the commonwealth’s education system.

• Develop and execute initiatives to successfully achieve and maintain 100% wireless coverage in 97% of public schools distributed throughout the islands within the commonwealth.

• Sponsor cross-functional teams to drive projects to successful completion. Oversee the implementation of information technology (IT) tools such as Enterprise Resource Planning

(ERP), computers, tablets, and online platforms into the daily practices of schools.

• Skills: IT Strategies, Cloud Computing, Program Management, Information Technology Operations, Vendor Management, Requirements Analysis, Project Management, Strategic Planning, Service Delivery, Agile Methodologies, Training and Development, Leading Change, Job Knowledge, Professionalism, Teamwork, Professional Development, Effective Communicator.

Position: Patent Examiner

• Employer: U.S. Patent & Trademark Office - Washington DC (Remote)

• From January 2023 to February 2025

• Understanding of current issues in patent law: CPC Classification, subject matter eligibility, anticipation, obviousness, means-plus-function, compact prosecution, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology and appeal practice.

• Review patent applications submitted to the Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

• Evaluate patent applications to ensure inventions are novel, non-obvious, and meet legal criteria for patent grants.

• Develop strategies to search and research existing technology (prior art) related to computer security, encryption, cybersecurity, and analogous prior art.

• Examine the technical details existing U.S. and foreign patents and publications to identify relevant prior art that could affect the patentability of an invention.

• Communicate with applicants and/or their patent attorneys to address concerns regarding patentability.

• Issue official communications to applicants or their legal representative, outlining objections or concerns regarding the patent application and requesting necessary amendments.

• Skills: Computer Security, Encryption & Decryption Applications, Clear and Concise Communication, Critical Evaluation of Complex Technical Information, Up to date with Advancements in Computer Security, Understanding the Technical Intricacies of Inventions. Position: General Counsel

• Employer: Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority - San Juan, Puerto Rico (On-site)

• From August 2021 to August 2023

• Mobilized the legal department team to oversee the legal planning for the full transfer of PREPA’s Generation and Transmission/Distribution operations to private operators selected by the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnership Authority, to transform the island’s electricity delivery system.

• Oversaw the legal initiatives concerning public-private partnerships (PPPs) for energy grid

(transmission & distribution) and generation plans. This included privately funded wind farms, solar power installations on public land, and collaborative energy efficiency programs.

• Collaborated with stakeholders to secure federal funding for utilities and tech companies to develop and deploy smart grid technologies, improving grid management and integrating renewable energy sources.

• Advised executive staff and the Board of Directors on complex legal matters.

• Oversaw legal aspects of real estate procurement, business transactions, and contracts.

• Served as primary attorney for litigation of commercial, financial, and liability cases.

• Managed litigation for lawsuits involving the Authority.

• Directed the legal department, including internal lawyers and external attorneys.

• Interpreted laws, rules, and regulations related to financial transactions, and advised management on policy and procedural changes.

• Evaluated potential trials and advised the Board of Directors on settlements.

• Oversaw efforts to identify and mitigate legal exposure and litigation costs proactively.

• Analyzed court decisions and newly enacted state and federal laws to determine their impact and required changes.

• Conducted legal research on matters related to corporate operations.

• Skills: Define Party Responsibilities for Project Risks, Design Well-structured Contracts with Clear Performance Metrics, Engage Community in Relevant Planning and Decision-making Process to Address Concerns and Garner Support.

Position: Patent Examiner

• Employer: United States Patent & Trademark Office – Detroit, MI (Remote)

• From June 2015 to July 2021

• Reviewed patent applications submitted to the Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

• Analyzed inventions described in patent applications to determine whether they are novel, non-obvious, and meet the legal criteria to be granted a patent.

• Developed strategies to search and research existing technology (prior art) related to computer security, encryption, cybersecurity, and analogous prior art.

• Examined the technical details existing U.S. and foreign patents and publications to identify relevant prior art that could affect the patentability of an invention.

• Communicated with applicants and/or their patent attorneys to address concerns regarding patentability.

• Issued official communications to applicants or their legal representatives, outlining objections or concerns regarding the patent application and requesting necessary amendments to further the prosecution.

• Skills: Computer Security, Encryption & Decryption Applications, Clear and Concise Communication, Critical Evaluation of Complex Technical Information, Up to date with Advancements in Computer Security, Understanding the Technical Intricacies of Inventions. Position: General Counsel

• Employer: Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority - San Juan, Puerto Rico (On-site)

• From September 2011 to May 2015

• Advised executive staff and the Board of Directors on complex legal matters.

• Oversaw legal aspects of real estate procurement, business transactions, and contracts.

• Served as primary attorney for litigation of commercial, financial, and liability cases.

• Directed the legal department, including internal lawyers and external attorneys.

• Interpreted laws, rules, and regulations related to financial transactions, and advised management on policy and procedural changes.

• Managed litigation for lawsuits involving the Authority. Evaluated potential trials and advised the Board of Directors on settlements in significant cases.

• Oversaw efforts to identify and proactively mitigate legal exposure and litigation costs.

• Analyzed court decisions and newly enacted state and federal laws to determine their impact and the required operational changes.

• Implemented business intelligence and workflows for administrative adjudication procedures.

• Led efforts to recover $50MM in power theft through process re-engineering and partnerships with the PR Department of Justice and internal stakeholders. Skills

• Technical Skills: IP law; legal research, drafting, and negotiation; ability to assess and manage risk; data analysis; cybersecurity; project management.

• Soft Skills: communication; problem-solving; time management; critical thinking; adaptability; teamwork; collaborative culture.

• Fluent Languages: English, Spanish

Certifications

• Admitted to practice in all courts of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Reg. 16,219.

• Admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Reg. 81,467. Professional Affiliations

• Member in good standing of the Puerto Rico Bar Association.

• Currently in the process of filing the online Florida Bar Application for the July 2025 Exam. Education

Juris Doctor

Inter American University of Puerto Rico, San Juan PR

• From August 1999 to December 2002

• GPA: 3.51

• Honors: Magna Cum Laude

• Ranked 29th in trial advocacy by US News & World Report (https://www.usnews.com/best- graduate-schools/top-law-schools/trial-advocacy-rankings) B.S. Civil Engineering

Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, San Juan PR

• From August 1988 to December 1990

• GPA: 3.20

• 24 credit-hrs. Civil Engineering (no degree)

M.S. Computer Engineering

University of Houston, Houston TX

• From August 1984 to 1986

• GPA: 3.80

• 15 credit-hrs. Computer Systems Design (no degree) B.S. Electrical Engineering

University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez PR - From August 1978 to December 1983 – Degree: BSEE References

• Available upon request.

Social Media

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