Representative Projects

I am a business law practitioner, handling both transactional and litigation matters.

My practice is client driven, not industry specific, and I pride myself on learning about each of my clients’ ventures so I can properly serve their individual needs.

For illustration, the following are the types of matters I routinely handle:
• strategic evaluation and drafting of business plans
• selection of proper business entities (corporation, LLC, partnership)
• formation of entities and associated capital structures
• drafting employment, independent contractor, non-disclosure, technology    licensing and other early-stage agreements
• strategic counseling on fund raising options and securities law requirements
• negotiation of and drafting of early-stage financing documents, including    private placement memoranda and venture capital stock purchase    agreements
• negotiation and drafting of employment agreements and bonus plans
• negotiation of individual executive compensation agreements
• drafting stock option plans and other compensation schemes
• strategic analysis and drafting of operational documents
• drafting joint venture, supplier and customer agreements
• franchise counseling and drafting of franchise agreements, uniform offering    circulars and related regulatory filings
• business and asset sales and purchases (including mergers and acquisitions)
• strategic business counseling
• business mediation (non-adversarial development of business solutions)
• negotiation and resolution of business disputes (mediation, arbitration and    litigation)
• wrongful termination and discrimination
• dissolution and liquidation of failed businesses

I also represent individuals in business and employment-related negotiations and disputes, but do not routinely handle personal injury, family law or criminal matters.

Big firm expertise with a personal touch

I founded this law firm so I could work more directly with my clients rather than through the often inefficient and impersonal layers of staffing at a larger firm.

This enables me to have a direct impact on the success of my client's business ventures.

As a solo practitioner, the buck starts and stops with me. From the initial interview through resolution, you will deal with the same person – me - eliminating much of the overhead associated with firms (expensive office space, redundant support staff, and unnecessary conferences between attorneys on the same matter).

I have the flexibility to work with clients of all sizes, from start-ups still looking for their first financing to established ventures facing complex litigation or sophisticated regulatory matters.

Quality work

Lower overhead doesn’t mean lower quality.

In fact, the reverse is true because none of the work is delegated to less experienced associates. In addition, I am fortunate to have worked with some of the finest lawyers in the country, including three years with the largest firm in the United States, where I worked on matters primarily for Fortune 500 companies. This experience with complex litigation and transactional matters was invaluable in shaping my values as a lawyer and has given me a perspective on legal issues often lacking in solo or small firm practitioners.

I learned early that in the law there is no substitute for proper preparation and attention to detail. I also learned that it is essential to have both an understanding of the law and also a thorough understanding of a client’s business and their objectives.

An uncompromising commitment to my clients and to a quality work product remain my hallmarks.

Breadth of experience

My unusually diverse legal background allows me to offer a broader range of services than most solo practitioners.

I began my career as a commercial litigator working first for the largest law firm in the United States. I spent eight years resolving business disputes, primarily involving scientific or technical issues but also including wrongful termination, discrimination, dealer and franchisee/franchisor relations as well as other employment and business relationship matters.

I then made a significant shift in emphasis, leveraging my knowledge of commercial transactions to help found a new practice group focusing on business and technology matters.

Most recently, as a partner with my last firm, I continued to handle dispute resolution matters, but concentrated more on transactional work, including representing several new ventures formed around technology developed at Caltech. In this role, I acted essentially as “outside general counsel,” handling not only all legal functions but also providing business consulting services.

This is what I bring to the table.

Whether you have an established business or are just starting out, I look forward to working with you.

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