The University of Florida (UF) Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) has appointed Jackson Walker partner Christopher J. Rourk (B.S., Electrical Engineering, 1985) to serve on the External Advisory Board. In his role on the board, Chris will help provide feedback on ECE Florida’s program, direction, and future.
“When I received my BSEE from UF ECE, I had the benefit of a great education from some of the leading researchers and educators in the world,” Chris said. “I am fortunate to be able to contribute my expertise to Prof. Mark Tehranipoor, the chair of the department, and the rest of the ECE to help them maintain their position as a leading teaching and research university in the field of electrical and computer engineering.”
Chris, a partner in the Intellectual Property practice at Jackson Walker, handles patent prosecution, litigation and licensing for clients in diverse technological fields such as nanotechnology devices, semiconductor systems and devices, radio frequency systems and devices, analog systems and devices, software, telecommunications systems and devices, medical devices, image data processing systems and devices, and consumer electronics.
Prior to joining Jackson Walker in 2006, Chris developed numerous technical proficiencies while working for Bechtel Power Corporation on-site for a major nuclear power plant construction project, where he was involved with designing and installing telecommunications, control and power systems components. He then worked for Westinghouse Electric Corporation, where he designed large turbine generators using three-dimensional finite element computer models and other computer-aided design tools. This unique background gives Chris specific insights into solutions for many business problems encountered by clients, as well as preventative measures and strategies for avoiding those problems.
He also previously managed research for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission while attending law school at Georgetown University. In that role, he leveraged his contacts at UF ECE on the critical issue of lightning safety for nuclear power plants. Prof. Martin Uman, a leading expert at UF ECE on the application of electromagnetic field theory to the description of various lightning processes, was able to confirm Chris’s finding that it was the ground potential rise from lightning strikes and not electromagnetic field effects (as was sometimes believed) that posed the greatest risk to nuclear power plant safety.
Jackson Walker proudly congratulates Chris Rourk on his appointment to the ECE Florida External Advisory Board. The group will greatly benefit from his distinguished expertise in the area of electrical engineering.
