Morningstar Law Group – Raleigh Law Firm – Durham NC Attorneys

Randy Whitmeyer is a veteran technology attorney who has spent three decades focusing on technology and intellectual property law and contracts. He regularly serves as outside general counsel to emerging and mid-size technology companies and works with clients on special projects involving technology, intellectual property, and privacy issues.

An entrepreneur at heart, Randy worked at a computer software startup for four years after college before heading to law school. As a business and IT lawyer, he now draws on this technical and business foundation to bring a practical approach to legal matters.

When he’s not practicing law, Randy is often practicing tennis. He is a six-time winner of the Wake County Bar Association tennis tournament.


What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Be an attorney who is a deal-maker, not a deal-breaker.

Accolades

  • Best Lawyers: Information Technology Law  (2024), Copyright Law (2022-2024)
  • Business North Carolina Legal Elite: Intellectual Property Law (2014-2015, 2022)
  • Super Lawyers (2017-2019)

Representative Experience

  • Negotiates enterprise-level software license and SaaS agreements with Fortune 100 customers on behalf of software and SaaS clients
  • Represents multi-billion-dollar publishing company in negotiating strategic partnership and SaaS contracts and in developing standard web end user terms
  • Analyzes applicability of GDPR, CCPA and other privacy laws for numerous clients and draft related Privacy Policies and Notices
  • Assists dozens of Managed Services Providers on contract, liability, and other legal matters
  • Manages brands and trademarks for national and international companies, including trademark availability analysis and preparing and filing of trademark applications
  • Strategizes and assists in buying and selling software and IT services companies

Presentations & Publications

Since 1994, Randy has been a frequent speaker on legal issues affecting the technology industry at local, national and international conferences.

  • “Cybersecurity Insurance, Data Breach, and Privacy Update.” OPDA Technology Alliance (2019)
  • “Risks of Holding Client Data Hostage.” OPDA Technology Alliance (2017)
  • “Top Tips for US Companies Doing Business in India.” India Business and Law Journal (2017)
  • “Legal Issues in Doing Business Internationally.” MLG Client Seminar (2016)
  • “Everything as a Service” Contracts. Association of Corporate Counsel (2016)
  • “MSP Legal and Contract Issues Update”, OPDA Technology Alliance (2015)
  • “Key Issues in Strategic Alliances.” MLG Client Seminar (2014)
  • “Update on Open Source and Intellectual Property Issues.” Association of Information Technology Professionals (2013)
  • “HIPAA, HITECH Act, and the Omnibus Rule: An Update for Business Associates.” OPDA Technology Alliance (2013)
  • “Legal and Contract Issues Surrounding Cloud Computing.” IEEE (2013)
  • “Managed Service Provider Contracts.” OPDA Technology Alliance (2013)
  • “Privacy Law Update: Strategies for Handling Personal Information.” Financial Directions Seminar (2013)
  • “IP 101 for Entrepreneurs: Top 10 IP Mistakes Made by Emerging Companies.” NC State University (2012)
  • “Contracting with the Healthcare Cloud Service Provider.” NC HICA Workshop on Health Information in the Cloud (2011)
  • “Intellectual Property and Contract Issues in M&A Transactions.” Whitmeyer/Tuffin Seminar (2011)
  • “Lost in the Cloud: Legal Issues Surrounding Cloud Computing.” NC Bar Association (2010)
  • “Hot Topics in Information Technology Law.” Association of Information Technology Professionals (2010)
  • “Introduction to Business Entities and Intellectual Property Protection for Start-Ups.” Council for Entrepreneurial Development (2009)
  • “Internet and E-Commerce Law Update.” LawExchange International (2009)
  • “Introduction to Intellectual Property and Social Networks.” United Arts Council (2009)
  • “Legal and Regulatory Issues Affecting E-mail Management.” CIO Forum and Executive IT Summit (2007)
  • “Taking Your Business Global.” Council for Entrepreneurial Development, Executive Workshop (2007)
  • “Intellectual Property Licensing.” Patent and Trademark Office Inventors’ Conference (2007)
  • “An Update on Copyright Law and the Internet.” International Technology Law Association: IT Law Bootcamp (2007)
  • “Legal Issues Associated with Doing Business Internationally.” NCACPA: Annual Symposium (2006)
  • “Hot Topics in Information Security and Privacy Law.” UNC School of Law: Festival of Legal Learning (2006)
  • “Update on Open Source Legal Issues.” Center for International Legal Studies (2006)
  • “Healthcare IT Contracts.” North Carolina Medical Society Management Conference (2005)
  • “Legal Protection for Scientific and Technical Materials.” UNC School of Law: Festival of Legal Learning (2003)
  • “Key Contract and Legal Issues in Software Development Agreements.” Client Presentation (2002)
  • “Legal and Policy Issues Associated with Information Technology.” Co-creator and adjunct professor of graduate course at UNC-Charlotte School of Information Technology (1998-2001)
  • “Legal Issues Associated with the Internet.” Duke University: Continuing Legal Education program (1994)

Education

  • Northwestern University School of Law, J.D. (1991) magna cum laude
    Recipient, John Paul Stevens Award for Academic Excellence
  • Duke University, B.S., Computer Science (1984) summa cum laude

Admissions

  • North Carolina State Bar (1996)
  • Former member of Illinois State Bar

Professional

  • OPDA Technology Alliance: Member (national group of managed service providers)
  • Communities in Schools of Wake County: Board of Directors (2000-2019), Chairman (2010-11)
  • International Technology Law Association: Member (1996-present), U.S. Recent Developments Editor (1998-2000)
  • UNC Journal of Law and Technology: Board of Advisors
  • Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce: Leadership Raleigh Graduate