The two co-chairs of this practice have served in-house in general counsel and Chief Legal Officer roles. That affords us a rare insider’s understanding of the ever-evolving transactional and advisory needs of entrepreneurs and small to medium sized businesses. Our general corporate counseling practice spans a wide range of disciplines—from day-to-day transactions and larger, more transformational deals, to the identification, protection and exploitation of intellectual property, to HR and employment matters, and across other areas. We regularly serve as "go to" advisors on speed dial for corporate and non-profit leaders in various industries, including software / tech, consumer products, e-commerce, EdTech, and sports philanthropy. We are as comfortable jumping in on discrete projects and emergent, one-off problems as we are managing and directing a growing company's entire legal function.
Among cases handled by our lawyers*:
Sell-side M&A support for sale of EdTech business.
Advised operator of SaaS solution for impact investments on its acquisition of IP rights in technology platform, subsequent outbound license of same, and eventual sale of all assets.
Data governance, IP risk management, and transactional counseling for provider of fraud prevention and cyber-security SaaS solutions.
Advice to hospitality & food businesses on employment disputes and separation.
Negotiation of executive employment agreements of CEOs, executive directors, and other key employees.
Legal audit and creation of new contractual templates for EdTech company.
Negotiated and memorialized equity investment and employment arrangement for consumer product start-up.
Counseled on and drafted license to use, with option to buy, food business’s IP and other assets.
General counsel to real estate development fund involving former NBA players and specializing in stadium-adjacent mixed-use development.
Advised on planned acquisition of NBA team, and on management of minority interests in a MLS team.
Structured complex commercial co-venture agreements between internet-based retailer and over 100 non-profit organizations.
Advice, with co-counsel, on private placement issuances and investments.
Ongoing trademark clearance, registration, licensing, and risk mitigation counseling.
Managed outside investigator conducting background investigation of independent contractor on behalf of non-profit organization; handled subsequent separation, pre-litigation counseling, and settlement negotiations arising out of contractor’s termination.
Commercial dispute negotiation and preparation of template contracts for experiential caterer.
Negotiate office sublease for financial advisory business.
Investigated wage-and-hour violations by Michelin-starred restaurant and advised them on mitigating risk and preventing future violations.
Ongoing counsel to DC-based hospitality businesses on ABRA-compliance matters.
Main legal advisor to popular D.C. music venue, including on ABRA compliance, lease disputes, and neighborhood challenges.
Helped clients obtain, acquire, and transfer liquor licenses.
* Some listed matters handled while the firm was in a general partnership called Clinton Brook & Peed, or handled while at previous firms.