Michael Parham was appointed to the Library Board in May 2005 by then-Mayor Greg Nickels. Parham joined the legal department at RealNetworks in 2000. He is responsible for the negotiation of technology licensing agreements. He also provides legal counsel to senior management at RealNetworks on human resource matters as well as community and governmental affairs. Prior to joining RealNetworks, Parham was the regional counsel with IBM in Chicago, Illinois, responsible for managing IBM's Midwest region legal department. Parham began his legal career with the law firm of Chapman and Cutler in Chicago where he practiced in the area of corporate finance. Parham attended Michigan State University and the University of Michigan Law School. Parham is an active Seattle resident and he is involved with the Loren Miller Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Governmental Affairs Committee of the WSA (formerly Washington Software Alliance). He also serves on the Pike Place Market Foundation Board of Directors.