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Steven K. Lee
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Steven K. Lee
Donahue Gallagher Woods LLP
Oakland, Mill Valley
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Phone: (510) 451-0544 | Fax: (510) 832-1486
http://www.donahue.com
Business Formations, Commercial Law and Internet Law
Legal Topic
Business Law
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to work with entrepreneurs and innovators.
Sub-Categories
Antitrust & Trade Regulation
- Deceptive Trade Practices
- Unfair Competition
- Workouts
- Business Successions
- Buying & Selling
- Closely Held Businesses
- Corporations
- Directors' & Officers' Liability
- Franchising
- Joint Ventures
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
- Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures
- Nonprofits & Tax-Exempt Corporations
- Partnerships
- Professional Corporations
- Shareholders' Rights
- Trade Associations
- Breach of Contract
- Contract Disputes
- Contract Drafting & Review
- Employment Contracts
- Franchises
- International Transactions
- Lemon Law
- Non-Compete Contracts
- Secured Transactions
- Uniform Commercial Code
- Warranties
- Art
- Communication & Media
- Gaming
- Internet
- Music
- Sports
- Tourism, Travel, & Leisure
- Federal Contracts
- State & Municipal Contracts
- Computer Law
- Digital Signatures
- Domain Names
- Electronic Commerce
- Business & Trade
- International Arbitration
- International Transactions
- Creditor's Rights
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1994
Bar Number: 172458
Other Court Admissions
Supreme Court of California, Northern District of California, Central District of California, Ninth Circuit
Association Memberships
State Bar of California, Bar Association of San Francisco
Continuing Education
I focus my continuing legal education in the areas of business law and intellectual property law.
Papers and Publications
I have written several articles for various business law and intellectual property publications over the years.
Example Cases
With my diverse experience, including in-house experience as Associate General Counsel at ABM Industries in San Francisco, I serve as outside general counsel to many of my clients. I structure and negotiate complex commercial transactions, including equity and debt financing transactions, technology licensing and transfers, and secured transactions involving copyrights and other intellectual property assets.
I have negotiated settlements of copyright infringement claims on behalf of numerous software companies, recovering millions of dollars from infringers for my clients. I assist clients in selecting trademarks and in obtaining and maintaining registration of their marks, and I represent clients in trademark disputes.
I have handled intellectual property matters and corporate transactions for entertainment industry clients such as Carlos Santana, Journey, Phish, Grateful Dead, and The String Cheese Incident.
Education
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
School:
University of California at Berkeley
City:
Berkeley
State:
CA
Year:
1990
Focus and Accomplishments:
Major in Economics with a Minor in Business Administration.
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Boston University School of Law
City:
Boston
State:
MA
Year:
1994
Honors:
Cum Laude
Focus and Accomplishments:
Served as Editor to the Boston University International Law Journal
Number of Attorneys
35
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
The firm was founded in 1918 and has offices in Oakland, Mill Valley, and Walnut Creek.
I am a partner in Donahue Gallagher Woods LLP, where I specialize in intellectual property law and business and corporate law. I represent domestic and international clients in a variety of industries, including software companies, Web 2.0 companies, manufacturers, retailers, importers, food and beverage companies, wineries, construction and general contracting companies, real estate investors, authors, publishers, musicians, and other entrepreneurs and emerging companies.
I handle a broad range of matters, such as formation of business entities, buy-sell agreements, private securities offerings, business mergers and acquisitions, license and distribution agreements, software development agreements, copyright and trademark enforcement, trade secret protection, and protecting rights of publicity.
Previous Employment Summary
I practiced commercial litigation at Hardin Cook Loper Engel & Bergez in Oakland, California for two years. I was also Associate General Counsel for ABM Industries, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in San Francisco, California. I practiced business and entertainment law and litigation at Berg & Parker in San Francisco, California for two years. I joined Donahue Gallagher Woods LLP in 1999 and became a partner in 2003.
Activities and Awards
I have been actively involved with local business incubators and have given presentations at the Contra Costa County Software Business Incubator (Concord) and the Communications Technology Cluster (Oakland) on intellectual property and corporate issues.
I sat on the Board of Directors and served as President for Rebuilding Together Oakland (formerly known as Christmas in April), a non-profit affiliate of a national organization that rehabilitates the homes of elderly and disabled low-income residents as well as non-profit community facilities. I received an AT&T Community Spotlight Award in recognition of my work with Rebuilding Together Oakland and continue to be actively involved with this organization. I currently serve on the Board of Directors of Oakland After-School Educational Services, a non-profit organization that offers after-school programs to children of low-income families.
Donahue Gallagher Woods LLP proudly supports many good causes by providing pro bono legal services, having our attorneys serve on the Boards of Directors of several community and charitable organizations, and by making generous financial contributions. A list of organizations we support through these good efforts is on our website. Click on any name listed to visit each organization's web site.
In addition to pro bono service, we are committed to public service. Our attorneys volunteer their time by participating in a wide range of community projects, such as the Donald P. McCullum Youth Court Program (a diversionary program for youthful first-time offenders), Rebuilding Together / Christmas in April (a nationwide program that facilitates volunteers to rehabilitate low income homes and communities), and through toy, clothing and food drives.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I encourage it. I find that clients who have performed some preliminary research of the legal issues and potential liabilities relating to their endeavors tend to appreciate the complexity of their situations and better understand the benefits of seeking an attorney's advice.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Although I am willing to review and comment on legal documents prepared by clients, I often find that the amount of time and legal fees required to review and revise a client-prepared document are substantially more than that required for me to draft a completely new document for the client. I generally find it more efficient for my clients prepare a term sheet or list of deal points or concerns as a starting point.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Rarely.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I enjoy counseling clients and assisting entrepreneurs and innovators in anticipating and addressing legal risks associated with their businesses.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I find that handling a diverse range of legal matters has helped me to serve as effective outside general counsel to many entrepreneurs and their companies.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I enjoy working with entrepreneurs and innovators as they grow their companies and business operations.
What do you like best about your career?
I cherish the thank you notes, gratitude and other positive feedback I receive from clients after resolving their legal issues.
Tell us about your law firm:
Donahue Gallagher Woods LLP offers a broad range of legal services and has been in existence since 1918. For more information, visit www.donahue.com.
What are your strengths and style?
I have a genuine interest in understanding my clients' business plans and strategies and tailoring legal documents to fit my clients' particular needs. Because I have served as general counsel to a variety of clients, I have a better understanding of how to evaluate legal issues and potential liabilities in the context of other business considerations and the "big picture."
My clients have described me as very practical, pleasant to work with, genuine, and professional.
Personal Interests:
Skiing, snowboarding, golf, basketball, scuba diving and mountain biking.
Office Manager/Assistant
Brenda Johnson
Fax
(510) 832-1486
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and French
Additional Offices
Walnut Creek, CA
1646 N. California Boulevard
Suite 310
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
(925) 746-7770
Mill Valley, CA
591 Redwood Highway
Suite 1200
Mill Valley, CA 94941
(415) 381-4161
Oakland, CA
300 Lakeside Drive
Suite 1900
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 451-0544
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
We offer flat fee incorporations ($1,500 including Secretary of State filing fees and costs).
Hourly Rates
My hourly rate (through July 2009) is $395.
Free Initial Consultation?
I generally offer a brief free initial consultation, not more than 30 minutes.
Typical Retainer
$2,000. In the case of a flat fee incorporation, we require a retainer of $1,500.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
