After emigrating to the United States from Kiev, Ukraine in 1979, Ross dreamed about starting a technology business. For 13 years prior to crowdSPRING, as a successful trial attorney, Ross counseled and represented clients (from small internet startups to Fortune 100 companies) in complex disputes involving intellectual property in United States state and federal courts and before the World Intellectual Property Organization. In 2006, Ross was named an Illinois SuperLawyer® and one of “40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch” for intellectual property and complex commercial litigation. Passionate about technology and realizing that his former law firm would never allow shorts and sandals at work (he tried), Ross decided to pursue his dream (and to change his wardrobe).