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Jason P.
Jason is a self-starting, go-getting lawyer who takes a pragmatic approach to helping his clients. He co-founded Fortify Law because he was not satisfied with the traditional approach to providing legal services. He firmly believes that legal costs should be predictable, transparent and value-driven. Jason’s entrepreneurial mindset enables him to better understand his clients’ needs. His first taste of entrepreneurship came from an early age when he helped manage his family’s small free range cattle farm. Every morning, before school, he would deliver hay to a herd of 50 hungry cows. In addition, he was responsible for sweeping "the shop" at his parent's 40-employee HVAC business. Before becoming a lawyer, he clerked at the Lewis & Clark Small Business Legal Clinic where he handled a diverse range of legal issues including establishing new businesses, registering trademarks, and drafting contracts. He also spent time working with the in-house team at adidas® where, among other things, he reviewed and negotiated complex agreements and created training materials for employees. He also previously worked with Meriwether Group, a Portland-based business consulting firm focused on accelerating the growth of disruptive consumer brands and facilitating founder exits. These experiences have enabled Jason to not only understand the unique legal hurdles that can threaten a business, but also help position them for growth. Jason's practice focuses on Business and Intellectual Property Law, including: -Reviewing and negotiating contracts -Resolving internal corporate disputes -Creating employment and HR policies -Registering and protecting intellectual property -Forming new businesses and subsidiaries -Facilitating Business mergers, acquisitions, and exit strategies -Conducting international business transactions In his free time, Jason is an adventure junkie and gear-head. He especially enjoys backpacking, kayaking, and snowboarding. He is also a technology enthusiast, craft beer connoisseur, and avid soccer player.
James M.
Reproductive law attorney focused on reviewing surrogacy contracts and sperm/egg/embryo donation contracts.
Curt B.
Curt Brown has experience advising clients on a variety of franchising, business litigation, transactional, and securities law matters. Mr. Brown's accolades include: - Super Lawyers Rising Star - California Lawyer of the Year by The Daily Journal - Pro Bono Attorney of the Year the USC Public Interest Law Fund Curt started his legal career in the Los Angeles office of the prestigious firm of Irell & Manella LLP, where his practice focused on a wide variety of complex civil litigation matters, including securities litigation, antitrust, trademark, bankruptcy, and class action defense. Mr. Brown also has experience advising mergers and acquisitions and international companies concerning cyber liability and class action defense. He is admitted in California, Florida, D.C., Washington, Illinois, Colorado, and Michigan.
Merry A.
Merry Kogut is a licensed attorney based in Washington State who has been a legal expert on JustAnswer since 2008 specializing in employment law, consumer protection and discrimination issues. She has been an attorney handling WA State phone consultations for Arag Legal Insurance since April, 2023. She has also been an attorney in private practice since 1986, and was in-house legal counsel for multiple WA State government agencies. She brings nearly 50 years combined legal and professional writing experience. Earlier in her career, Merry served as a law clerk for the Washington State Court of Appeals, and as a discrimination specialist, investigator and legislative liaison. She also helped establish the “Legal Writing Institute,” a national association of legal writing instructors and administrators. Merry earned her law degree from the Seattle University (formerly University of Puget Sound) School of Law.
Janice K.
Twenty-plus years experience in family law, employment law, public agency law, federal, state and local contracts drafting and review, appellate practice.
Joon H.
I work with private tech companies on entity formation, corporate governance, and commercial agreements. I was an in-house counsel for a unicorn fintech startup and am currently associated with a startup boutique while operating my solo practice. I received my JD from Berkeley Law, and served in the US Navy for 5 years as a combat linguist. I am fluent in Korean.
July 3, 2023
Eleanor W.
I have been working as a document review attorney since 2011. I have also done some business and estate planning work. I am fluent in English, Chinese, French, and Japanese.
July 30, 2023
Diamond R.
July 29, 2023 My name is Diamond Simpson Roberts, ESQ, MSPH and I am convinced that I can be a value added asset to most any company. As the first in my family to graduate a four-year university, I graduated from Wayne State University Law School in 2000 but could not afford a bar prep course upon completion. After over 20 years, I sat for the July 2022 UBE, successfully passed and am currently licensed in three states! This is an example of my self-motivation, internal drive and passion. I offer over 28 years of diverse experience in healthcare, strategy, sales/marketing, legal/policy and business savvy. I have many years building, leveraging, and sustaining long term relations to drive revenue as an entrepreneur and for corporations. My analytical strengths provide me with an innate ability to think through tough situations/topics while viewing both vantage points (which is excellent for law and life). I have been appointed to serve on numerous committees due to my heightened ability to identify client issues and priorities and provide solutions based upon relevant products, services and needs. I have led teams with and without authority; specifically, I have managed teams for an Adult Foster Care Facility called Etonne Cares, during my post-graduate fellowship with the largest Catholic Healthcare System in the U.S. and during my two-year executive order appointment with the Federal Government (Presidential Management Fellowship). Most importantly, I am a collaborative team player who knows how to improvise, overcome and adapt! I offer numerous years of being a pharmaceutical trainer and being an adjunct using the online platform. I welcome the opportunity to continue in the interview so that I may further highlight the skills I can (and will) contribute to my success in the role. Respectfully, Diamond Simpson Roberts, ESQ, MSPH DQSSIMPSON@GMAIL.COM M: 313-942-6747
July 31, 2023
Daniel W.
In my thirteen years of practice, I've had the opportunity to argue cases in state, federal, and tribal courts; in subjects as diverse as gaming, land tenure, water rights, treaty rights, finance, employment, criminal defense, conflict of laws, and tort (among others). But the real value I brought my clients came through avoiding litigation, fostering relationships, and developing long-term strategies.
September 22, 2023
Wilberforce A.
Wilberforce Agyekum is an attorney with 16 years of experience practicing in areas of contracts, immigration, and criminal law. Wilberforce received a Bachelor of Science degree from Washington Adventist University, and Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law.
December 4, 2023
McCoy S.
P. McCoy Smith is the Founding Attorney at Lex Pan Law LLC, a full-service technology and intellectual property law firm based in Portland, Oregon, U.S.A and Opsequio LLC, an open source compliance consultancy. Prior to his current position, he spent 20 years in the legal department of a Fortune 50 multinational technology company as a business unit intellectual property specialist; among his duties was setting up the free & open source legal function and policies for that company. He preceded his in-house experience with 8 years in private practice in a large New York City-based boutique intellectual property law firm, working simultaneously as a U.S. patent litigator and U.S. patent prosecutor. He was also a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office prior to attending law school. He is licensed to practice law in Oregon, California & New York and to prosecute patent applications in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office; he is also a registered Trademark and Patent Agent with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. He has degrees from Colorado State University (Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, with honors), Johns Hopkins University (Masters of Liberal Arts) and the University of Virginia (Juris Doctor). While in private practice, and continuing into his in-house career, he taught portions of the U.S. patent bar exam for a long-standing and well-known patent bar exam preparation course, and from 2014-2020 was on the editorial board of the Journal of Open Law, Technology & Society (JOLTS), and starting in 2023 will be on the editorial board of the American Intellectual Property Law Quarterly Journal (AIPLAQJ). He is the author or co-author of chapters on open source and copyright and patents in “Open Source Law, Policy & Practice” (2022, Oxford University Press). He lectures frequently around the world on free and open source issues as well as other intellectual property topics.
December 7, 2023
Adam T.
Legal professional with 10+ years of Fortune 500 in-house and AmLaw 50 law firm experience in crafting multi-pronged litigation, regulatory, and public policy strategies and negotiating pioneering, high-stakes global cloud services and digital content distribution deals.
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Browse Lawyers NowEmployment Legal Questions and Answers
Employment
Employment Handbook
Washington
Employment handbook vacation policy?
I recently accepted a new job and was given an employee handbook to read over. I read the policies regarding vacation time, but I am unclear about how exactly the policy works and what the process is for taking a vacation. I want to make sure I understand the policy correctly and that I am following the correct procedure for requesting vacation time.
Merry A.
Hello - I am a Washington State employment law attorney. It can often be difficult to understand a policy in an employee handbook. I would suggest two things: (1) Do not ask about the policy or how to interpret it until you have completed at least two months on the job - wait until your supervisor and coworkers get to know you; most likely, you are not eligible for vacation leave until you have been on the job for several months anyway. (2) After two months, ask your supervisor about the policy - not HR. Your supervisor is most likely the person who will have to approve your leave, and he or she will appreciate that you went to him or her instead of going to HR.
Employment
Dental Associate Contract
Washington
How to track dental associate contracts?
I am a dentist who is looking to hire a dental associate to help with my practice. I need to create a contract that outlines the terms and conditions of the associate's employment, but I want to make sure that I am tracking it properly. I want to make sure that I am following all the legal obligations related to the contract and that it is enforced properly.
Merry A.
It's not necessary to write a contract - you can write a hiring letter with the terms and conditions, with a reminder that the employee is an "at will" employee. This may give you more freedom to discipline or terminate the employee than an employment contract would. However, you can also write this up as a contract. In either instance, do not violate any laws, such as the state and federal laws against discrimination (some counties and cities, such as King and Spokane counties, and Tacoma, Seattle, and possibly Spokane may have additional provisions); watch out for RCW 49.44.211, a 2022 law about nondisclosure and nondisparagement provisions; and, if you choose to include regular evaluations in your letter or contract, the most simple thing is to track those on a calender and remind yourself and your employee of the date a few weeks ahead of time. Some hiring letters and employment contracts provide for reimbursing the employer for the costs of training and/or any costs provided to the employee for moving expenses if the employee leaves before "X" amount of time.. Before hiring any new employee, do your best to conduct a national background check (not just state) and make sure it's extensive - prior performance at another job? Was the work history and education what they say it was? Any misdemeanors or felonies? What is their financial history and credit rating? Etc. Good luck on your hiring decisions.
Employment
Dental Associate Contract
Washington
Dental associate contract malpractice insurance?
I recently signed a dental associate contract with a practice in my local area. I am concerned about the malpractice insurance that is included in the contract, as I am not sure if the coverage is adequate. I am also unsure of the type of insurance that is provided and what it covers. I would like to know what the risks are in regards to my malpractice insurance and how I can ensure that I am properly protected.
Merry A.
I am a WA State attorney. For starters, obtain a copy of your policy, print it, and read it carefully, using a yellow highlighter to highlight your questions/concerns, while making notes on a notepad. Check with independent malpractice insurers in WA to determine typical amounts of coverage in your field and county. Consider buying more on your own and/or an umbrella policy. Check with instructors, mentors, and colleagues in your field to seek guidance on adequate coverage.
Employment
Demand Letter
Washington
Response to an unfair demand letter?
I recently received a demand letter from a former employer, accusing me of violating our employment agreement. The allegations are false and I believe the demands made in the letter are unfair. I am seeking legal advice to understand my rights and how I can respond to the demand letter.
Merry A.
Hello - so sorry that you received this. First off, be aware that there is zero requirement that you reply to a demand letter; sometimes, strategically, it's better not to, because anything you say could be used against you should the employer escalate the matter. Second, in many demand letters, a lawsuit is threatened, but many people make threats and never follow through with a lawsuit. Third, if the letter is from the employer, rather than from an attorney, it's less likely to be factually and legall accurate than if it came from an attorney. Finally, if you are concerned, it'd be a good idea to have the letter AND your contract AND any other pertinent information reviewed by an employment attorney. I'd be happy to help you with this if you'd like to request me, and I can almost always provide a quick turnaround.
Employment
Noncompete Agreement
Washington
Noncompete agreement and public policy?
I recently accepted a job offer with a new employer who asked me to sign a noncompete agreement. I am concerned that the agreement may not be in line with public policy and wanted to get a professional opinion from a lawyer to make sure I am not putting myself in a difficult situation.
Merry A.
If you are in Washington State, where I'm licensed, as opposed to D.C., please let me know what kind of help you are looking for - have you already signed the agreement? I've been a WA State attorney for nearly 38 years, and specialize in employment law.
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Related Contracts
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