In this thought-provoking episode of Hallway Conversations, we chat with former-practicing-lawyer-turned-technologist Jeff Strauss about some of the thornier legal issues facing the software professional in today’s world.  We explore the murky waters of non-compete agreements, dive into the depths of trade secrets and patents, discuss the dangers in moonlighting policies, and consider what it really means to both negotiate and eventually accept an employment contract in the software development profession.

HINT: you may not want to sign that thing until you read the fine-print!

Jeff Strauss is a developer, analyst, and attorney, but first and foremost, a consultant. Jeff entered the software industry after having practiced law with a private firm in St. Louis for several years. Although he enjoyed the consulting aspect of his original career, his lifelong passion for technology drew him back into the fold, where he has been happy ever since.

As the vice president of St. Louis-based consulting firm ArchitectNow, he provides both entrepreneurial and enterprise product development solutions for clients from the ground up. The most rewarding part of Jeff’s work is having an opportunity each day to utilize advancing technologies and apply them to real-world problems in planning, developing, and realizing products that make a difference for his clients and community.

In addition to his “day job,” Jeff also has been honored to serve on the board of directors of the St. Louis Days of .NET developer conference and the St. Louis .NET User Group for the past five years.