Loan Agreement Drafting:
Key Terms, Common Mistakes, Lawyer Tips

Valerie is a passionate attorney specializing in Employment Law, Family Law, Personal Injury, and Business. With a strong foundation in the legal field, she is committed to helping individuals navigate the intricacies of their legal agreements. Valerie prioritizes open communication, ensuring her clients feel seen, understood, and confident as they make important decisions for their future. She is committed to empowering clients to become the best version of themselves while addressing their unique needs throughout the process.

I help business owners, founders, employers, athletes, creators and families get contracts and legal documents done right the first time, at a flat fee agreed before any work starts. I am licensed in Florida (2021) and Washington, D.C. (2022). I practice as a business and contracts attorney and outside general counsel with Amethyst Law Group, and previously served as Florida Managing Attorney at Lento Law Group. Before that I sat on the business side of the table as General Manager and General Counsel of a professional basketball organization and as Deputy Commissioner of a start-up sports league, so I have negotiated, drafted and enforced the same agreements I now prepare and review for clients: sponsorship and vendor deals, player, coaching and staff contracts, employment and independent contractor agreements, licensing and brand deals. What I handle on ContractsCounsel: - Contract drafting, review and redlining: service agreements, MSAs, NDAs, vendor and supplier agreements, sponsorship, licensing, endorsement and brand deals - Business formation and governance: LLCs and corporations, operating agreements, bylaws, partnership and shareholder agreements, founder and equity arrangements - Employment and hiring: offer letters, employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, non-compete and confidentiality agreements, separation and severance agreements, handbooks and policies - Sports, entertainment and creator agreements: athlete representation, NIL, sponsorship, appearance, management and agency agreements (licensed FIBA agent) - Real estate: purchase and sale agreements, residential and commercial leases, contract review before you sign - Wills, trusts, powers of attorney and estate planning documents - Demand letters, cease and desist letters and pre-dispute contract enforcement - Ongoing outside general counsel support for small and growing businesses How I work: Every project starts with a fixed price and a delivery date you can plan around. You receive a plain-English summary of what the document does, what I changed and why, and any risks you should know about, not just a marked-up file. Two rounds of revisions are included so the final draft is exactly what you need, and I respond to messages the same business day. Credentials: J.D., Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law, summa cum laude, top 5% of class, Senior Editor of the Southern Journal of Policy and Justice, Dean's Certificate of Professionalism, 300+ pro bono hours; M.S. Forensic Psychology (4.0 GPA); M.S.Ed. Sports Administration, University of Miami; B.A. English Language and Literature, Southern New Hampshire University. Recognized as an Elite Lawyer recipient. Malpractice insurance carried. Litigation background: first-chair trial attorney with experience in business, employment, real estate, consumer protection and family matters. I draft every contract with a clear view of how it will hold up if it is ever tested.

I am a skilled attorney with over 36 years of legal experience with an emphasis on commercial and residential real estate, estate planning, probate and criminal appeals.

I am an attorney located in Denver, Colorado with 13 years of experience working with individuals and businesses of all sizes. My primary areas of practice are general corporate/business law, real estate, commercial transactions and agreements, and M&A. I strive to provide exceptional representation at a reasonable price.

Berkson is a dedicated, practical, and detail-oriented attorney licensed to practice in every state court of Oklahoma and the United States Northern and Eastern District Courts. He graduated from the University of Tulsa College of Law with Honors. While there, he received awards for highest grade in trial practice, legal research, and civil procedure. He was also the Executive Notes and Comments Editor for the Energy Law Journal, the official journal of the Energy Bar Association in Washington, D.C. The Energy Law Journal is one of the few peer-reviewed journals in the legal profession. Prior to becoming an attorney, Howard Berkson held executive positions involving a wide range of business and human resources management functions. He has in-depth knowledge of both business and HR practices. During his business career, Berkson negotiated, wrote, red-lined, and disputed contracts. He has answered charges, handled inspections, and supervised audits involving numerous agencies including the Department of Labor, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and various state agencies. Berkson honed his analytical and writing skills while earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Washington. He went on to obtain a Master of Arts in Labor and Industrial Relations from the University of Illinois. Berkson’s work can be found in such publications as The Energy Law Journal, Human Resource Management Review and Personnel Psychology. He is a member of Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity and of Phi Kappa Phi honor society.

I provide practical, plain-English legal guidance to solopreneurs and small businesses who want to build strong foundations and make informed decisions with confidence. With 20+ years of experience—including 16 years in-house advising senior and executive leaders—I bring the insight of a trusted legal partner who understands how legal strategy supports long-term business growth. My clients walk away feeling supported, seen, and empowered. They know I genuinely care about their success and bring more than just legal knowledge—I bring a coach’s mindset, a problem-solver’s lens, and a commitment to helping them protect what they’ve worked hard to build. Whether you’re reviewing contracts, forming your business, protecting your brand, or need ongoing legal support, I’m here to deliver clear, actionable guidance and solutions that fit your business.

My Legal career has focused on representing businesses (corporations and limited liability companies) as general outside counsel. In this capacity, I have drafted a broad range of legal documents as well as analyzed proposed agreements drafted by the other party's attorney to the agreement for the purpose of determining the risks to which my client would be exposed. I maintained the client's minute book if no one in-house was available for that task. Additionally, if requested, I served as a general advisor to the client's executive offers and to its Board of Directors.