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Whether you are just getting your business started or a seasoned business owner, Francine’s 27 years of experience in business and intellectual property law will provide the expertise necessary to give you peace of mind by protecting your content, your brand, your business structure, and your estate.

Francine is Of Counsel at Monty White, LLP, a full service law firm in San Rafael, CA. She heads its Business and Intellectual Property Law Group, as well as managing its Palm Desert, CA office. Francine is a 1989 graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center and admitted to practice in California, New York, and the District of Columbia.

Francine D. Ward
Attorney-At-Law

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Whether you are just getting your business started or a seasoned business owner, Francine’s 27 years of experience in business and intellectual property law will provide the expertise necessary to give you peace of mind by protecting your content, your brand, your business structure, and your estate.

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Inspirational Speaker

A professional speaker since 1995, Francine has engaged audiences large and small with her compelling story of triumph over insurmountable odds. Her authentic, impassioned message motivates and inspires audiences no matter what industry or background. Francine is also the author of two Esteemable Acts self-help books.

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A professional speaker since 1995, Francine has engaged audiences large and small with her compelling story of triumph over insurmountable odds. Her authentic, impassioned message motivates and inspires audiences no matter what industry or background. Francine is also the author of two Esteemable Acts self-help books.

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Contract Mistakes

by Francine Ward | Mar 23, 2023

Contract Mistakes Contract Mistakes. No Written Agreement.Probably the number one contract mistake people make is not having written agreements with everyone they do business with. I am always amazed by the reasons they give. Yet, regardless of how...

Trademark Benefits

by Francine Ward | Aug 30, 2023

Benefits of Trademark Registration. There are many benefits of trademark registration. The Lanham Act, the law governing trademarks in the United States, does not require that a trademark be registered. Therefore, as the owner of a trademark, you...

Trademark Duration

by Francine Ward | Aug 29, 2023

How long does a trademark last? A registered trademark, one registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), lasts forever—so long as certain post-registration formalities are performed. Oftentimes, trademark registrants...

What is a Trademark?

by Francine Ward | Aug 16, 2023

What is a trademark? It is a source identifier. A thing we call a device that tells consumers where a product or a service originates from. A trademark can be a word, a logo, a design, a phrase, a slogan, a color, a sound, a fragrance,...