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Rosario A.
I'm a Washington-licensed lawyer specializing in trademark practice and with an extensive trademark education and academic background. I currently work with domestic and international businesses seeking trademark protection in the U.S. by conducting trademark searches, providing legal advice, submitting USPTO applications, and preparing responses to office actions. I'm passionate about trademark law and always looking forward to helping small and medium businesses promote their value by having a registered federal trademark. If you have questions or concerns about trademark/copyright/IP licensing and require legal advice, feel free to contact me and we can have a first chat.
Justin A.
I am an entrepreneurial lawyer in the Seattle area dedicated to helping clients build and plan for the future. I earned my law degree from the University of Chicago and worked in a top global law firm. But I found advising real people on legal issues far more rewarding. Reach out to discuss how we can work together!
John P.
Technology and property expert in complex discovery.
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.
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.
October 21, 2021
Reuben O.
As an entrepreneur at heart, I enjoy working with business owners and executives on a variety of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate financing, corporate governance, public and private securities offerings, privacy regulation and early-stage corporate matters including formation. As a lawyer and business professional, I understand the value of providing personal service and focused legal answers to clients navigating a rapidly changing regulatory environment. Whether in Aerospace, Consumer Goods, or Technology, I find great success in work collaboratively with clients to strategical structure their business or implementing strategic growth-oriented financing opportunities.
February 9, 2022
Amy P.
Amy has served as outside general counsel and litigator to established businesses throughout western Washington since 2010. Her passion and focus is providing the best possible representation for clients in the construction, transportation and hospitality industries.
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
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Securities
Stock Option Agreement
California
Stock option agreement and stock splits?
I am an employee of a company that is planning to offer stock options as part of my compensation package. I am trying to understand what would happen if my company does a stock split. Would my stock options be affected by the split, and if so, how? I want to make sure I understand the implications of a stock split before I accept the stock options as part of my compensation.
Thaddeus W.
Good question! Typically, a stock split will result in an appropriate adjustment to an option award so that, after the adjustment, the option holder (you, in this case) is "made whole" -- that is, you are effectively in the same place economically (as far as this option is concerned) after the split with the option as you were before. If you look at your company's Stock Plan (the plan under which your options were authorized and granted to you), you will probably find a section called "Changes in Capitalization." (Or, you can search to document for the word "split" and may be able to find the governing provision that way.) The provision might be included in your Stock Option Agreement, but typically it is covered in the Plan. Anyway, the provision (wherever it is located in your documents) would normally say something along the lines of the following: "In the event of a stock split (and other events), the following will occur: (i) the numbers and class of shares covered by your option award, (ii) the exercise price per share of each outstanding option, and (iii) any applicable repurchase price per share issued under any option award, will be automatically proportionately adjusted in the event of a stock split (or other event)." (Usually the language is even more "legalesey" but that's pretty much the jist of it.) Of course, its impossible to say for sure in your situation (or in any other specific situation) without seeing the relevant documents and knowing all other relevant details, but that would be the typical approach.
Securities
Investment Contract
California
Investment contract legal requirements?
I am interested in investing in a business opportunity, and the company has presented me with an investment contract. I want to ensure that the contract I am signing is legitimate and meets all legal requirements. I am looking for guidance from a lawyer to ensure that the contract is fair and legally binding.
Thaddeus W.
Happy to discuss, but it seem like maybe you want to post a formal request for bids.
Securities
Revenue Sharing Agreement
California
How do you fund a restaurant?
I am looking for an attorney who can help me put together restaurant business proposal to funding to expand my restaurant branch.
Russell M.
There is not a lot of detail here so I am going to assume you are not asking about how to get a small business loan, or you aren't interested or able to get SBA financing for what ever reason. If you have a successful restaurant concept, you might want to look into Regulation CF crowdfunding. I am aware of a number of food and beverage businesses that have leveraged their existing loyal and enthusiastic customer bases and a well executed financial and PR campaign to fund expansion sites.
Securities
SAFE Note
California
SAFE Note interest accrual?
I am a business owner who recently completed a Series A round of funding. As part of this funding round, I issued SAFE Notes to my investors. I am now trying to understand the implications of these notes, specifically regarding interest accrual. I want to make sure I am compliant with all the terms of the SAFE Note agreement and understand the effects of interest accrual on my company's finances.
Thaddeus W.
Thanks for the interesting question. There may be some conflation of issues here. A few points may help to clarify -- 1. A SAFE and a Note are different animals. Notes are debt instruments and, accordingly, usually have an interest component. SAFE's are not debt and so do not accrue interest. Convertible Notes and SAFE's are similar in that they both typically convert into preferred stock when the company **later** issues preferred stock. Also, Convertible Notes and SAFE's are often issued without regard to a company's then-current valuation. 2. You said your company issued SAFEs / Notes "as part of" a Series A funding. That's not legally impossible, of course, but it would be unusual, so it would be helpful to make sure we are using the same "glossary" of terms. Typically, the phrase "Series A funding" refers to a company's issuance of Series A Preferred Stock; such transactions involve putting a value on the company so that the Series A stock can be priced. Series A rounds often are preceded by the company issuing Convertible Notes or SAFE's without a valuation of the company (that is, the company and investors "kick the can down the road" to a later time when the company's operating history can justify a valuation). Then, when the Series A round occurs and shares of Series A are priced based on the company valuation, any pre-existing Convertible Notes and SAFE's convert into shares of Series A preferred stock at a conversion price that is equal to the price paid by the Series A purchasers, minus the discount that the Convertible Notes or SAFE's give to their holders. (NOTE: these days, often there is a round of preferred stock sold BEFORE Series A, called Series Seed. This is not required, but common. Sometimes SAFE's or Notes are issued between Series Seed and Series A, but, again, it would be the odd investor who purchased a SAFE or a Note in the same financing round in which preferred stock is sold.) 3. The implications of SAFE's and notes can be several. One of the biggest is their impact on the company's capitalization table ... that is, on the ownership interests of other shareholders, especially the founders. The terms of each Note or SAFE will determine their impact when they convert, especially if they have a "valuation cap" ... which is a provision by which an effective discount is given to the holder of the SAFE / Note. Valuation caps can result in more dilution to the founders and other pre-existing shareholders than they might expect, depending on the actual valuation of the company when these Convertible Notes and SAFE's do convert. 4. If you issued Convertible Notes or SAFE's as part of a Series A preferred stock round, the investors purchasing the Series A would have to have known about and approved of it. Their lawyers would have certainly raised eyebrows and asked questions. If these Convertible Notes / SAFE's were issued outside of the knowledge of the Series A investors, this would be expected to be problematic for the company, and possibly a breach of the Series A investment documents, or even a violation of certain securities laws. But, if all was approved by the investors, no problem. 5. Another implication worth noting is that since Convertible Notes are debt, they typically would be carried on (shown in) the company's balance sheet. Investors in Series A round always or nearly always have Information Rights to see the company's financial statements and be kept current on changes. Normally the company would have a contractual obligation to provide quarterly, if no monthly, financial reports and updates to Series A investors. These reports should include all information about SAFE's and Notes. 6. It should also be noted that Series A investment documents typically restrict the company from issuing many types of new securities without the approval of what these docs often call the "Requisite Holders." This is a defined term in the Series A investment docs (normally in the company amended and restated Charter), and is defined as the Series A holders that hold at least a stated number (e.g., a majority) of all of the Series A shares sold in the round. Note that these answers are not and should not be taken as legal advice for your particular situation. You should retain qualified legal counsel to have a formal lawyer-client relationship and your lawyer should review all relevant information. But, these concepts here are pretty fundamental. ~Thaddeus Wojcik, Wojcik Law Firm, PC
Securities
LLC Operating Agreement
Texas
Can an LLC buy stocks for a fee?
I'm forming an LLC in order to manage some money investing in the stock market, (Friends and family only) I will be charging a percentage fee on the profits. Can an LLC be formed to invest in stocks and charge a performance fee? Thank you.
Forest H.
Generally, if you are "advising others regarding investment decisions for compensation" you are regulated by the SEC as an investment advisor and subject to oversight and registration with the SEC. There are exemptions, for example, a "Family Office" is not required to register. However, all investors and owners in a Family Office must be actual family and friends would be excluded.
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