C. Larry O’Rourke

C. Larry O’Rourke, JD ’71, and his wife Joy

When C. Larry O’Rourke, JD ’71, considers his 30-plus-year career in intellectual property law, he sees the legal education he received at GW Law as its root.  “I have made my career in IP law and feel the foundation I obtained at GW Law provided the impetus for what success I have had,” O’Rourke said.

Now senior counsel with Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, O’Rourke opened and served as managing partner of the firm’s Palo Alto office.  O’Rourke’s practice focuses primarily on the electronic and computer industries and on IP litigation.

As one expression of his gratitude to GW Law, O’Rourke and his wife Joy established a deferred charitable gift annuity in tandem with a current gift pledge in 2006.  “Giving a future gift is welcomed by the Law School, but a present gift goes right to work.”  O’Rourke added, “It is attractive to have tax benefits and a stream of income associated with the gift, but our primary motivation was to support a school which has meant so much to my career and our life.”