Business and Technology

Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt's Business and Technology Practice was founded on the premise that today's fast growth company needs a team that can work together with a company to meet all its legal needs whatever stage of growth— startup, growth or established.

The concept is to put a team of business, tax, intellectual property, employment and litigation lawyers together that know your company and are able to respond efficiently and effectively when requested. The firm represents a broad number of public corporations, closely held businesses, venture capital firms, executives, board members and individuals. Our lawyers have significant community connections that create value for our clients. We maintain deep relationships with various angel, venture and private equity players, not just locally but regionally, nationally and globally.

Our clients have included Benchmade Knives, Celilo Group, Coaxis, Clear One Health Plans, Inc., Columbia Forest Products, Inc., Evraz NA Inc. (formerly Oregon Steel Mills, Inc.), Freshwater Trust, Halton Company, I D Experts, Isense Corporation, KeyBank, N.A., Kryptiq Corporation, Nutcase Helmets/MCG, Oregon Health & Science University, Pacificorp, Pacific Power Products, Inc., and United Pipe & Supply Co.

Our attorneys have experience in business formations, corporate finance including debt and equity offerings (public and private), partnerships, securities compliance, officer and director liability, formation of foreign subsidiaries, contract negotiations and other business matters. The firm has a regional and national reputation in structuring and implementing mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, restructurings, divestitures and leveraged buyouts for private investors, equity and venture capital investment firms and public and privately held corporations.

Our attorneys have also helped emerging and established companies with corporate structuring, strategic alliances, joint ventures, contract negotiations, complex business issues, international markets, protection of technology, trademarks and service marks, product and business identity, business finance and venture capital, business organization and taxation, licensing and distribution, executive compensation, employee benefits, incentives, agreements and shareholder matters. If there is a business dispute, our well-known commercial litigation department stands ready to assist with the most complex legal matters.

Members of the group have been involved in a number of entrepreneurial support organizations, including, Technology Association of Oregon (fka Software Association of Oregon), Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, Oregon Biotechnology Association, Oregon Innovation Council (fka Oregon Council for Knowledge and Economic Development), Portland Angel Network, Portland Venture Group, Tech-America-Oregon Council, Greater Portland, Inc., Oregon Business Association, Associated Oregon Industries, Portland Business Alliance and the Oregon Business Council.

Schwabe maintains an expansive legal network comprised of national and international law firms, including The DuPont Legal Network and the International Association of Law Firms, for those matters when geographic specific experience is required.