- Corporate LawAcross multiple industries, there is a substantial (often significant) lack of representation among founders, leadership, and investors in early-stage companies. The ability of startups to obtain legal and financial support to break into their industries is often made more difficult by issues of interpersonal bias and systemic or historic exclusion. This has been especially true of startups owned and/or run by Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other People of Color (BILPOC). Access to legal representation and other professional service providers is integral to the creation and structuring of a successful business. A law firm that offers expertise in multiple industry segments including corporate governance, intellectual property, labor and employment, and tax law is an invaluable asset to an emerging business, especially one facing the additional challenges and inequities of BILPOC ownership.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsPrior to becoming Hanson Bridgett's CDEIO, Jennifer was a full-time partner in the firm's Labor Section. As a full-time partner, Jennifer handled mergers and acquisitions, advice and counseling, as well as a large litigation practice representing public and private employers in federal and state court litigation and before administrative agencies regarding all manner of employment claims, including single plaintiff actions, wage and hour representative and class actions, and jury trials.
- Intellectual Property
- Employment LitigationJennifer still maintains a counseling practice as a partner in Hanson Bridgett's Labor & Employment Practice. She advises employers on a wide variety of employment issues, and specializes in advising startups, early-stage companies, and technology companies. In addition to general advice and counseling, Jennifer handles sensitive harassment and whistleblower investigations, and client trainings. Jennifer also has a niche specialty advising on employment issues in mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate transactions, including employment-related diligence, definitive agreement terms, and post-transaction issues such as integration, policy compliance, employee leveling, and restructuring.
- Sexual Harassment"Sexual Harassment in the #MeToo Era: Cultural Changes, Pre-Claim Best Practices, Training, Workplace Investigations, Arbitration Clauses, Individual Defendants, Tax Implications," Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada, Employment Law Seminar (June 2018)
- Real Estate Litigation
- Land Use and Zoning
- Landlord-Tenant DisputesSince then, our pro bono program has deliberately expanded its anti-racist efforts to provide greater support to vulnerable individuals of color and Black-owned organizations. We continue to devote a significant portion of its pro bono work to providing direct legal services to vulnerable and low-income individuals facing domestic violence, deportation, and landlord-tenant issues; most of these clients are people of color who have urgent needs that firm attorneys are privileged to help them resolve. In addition, our attorneys have increased their work with Black- and minority-led non-profit organizations on issues related to entity formation, tax exempt status, and operating agreements.
- Estate Planning
- TrustsAn account titled under your revocable living trust is considered a separate account ownership category and qualifies for its own FDIC insurance coverage. Trust deposits are insured up to the standard amount ($250,000) multiplied by the number of trust beneficiaries (not to exceed five) multiplied by the number of trust settlors. Trust settlors are the individuals who created the trust. Married individuals in California often establish joint revocable trusts to hold their community property. As a result, an account in the name of a revocable living trust created by a married couple may receive a maximum coverage of up to $2,500,000.
- Bankruptcy
- Tax LawWe develop long-term partnerships with many community groups, donating funds and resources and providing legal assistance. They include the San Francisco Education Fund, a nonprofit that we advise on a variety of issues, such as employee benefit and emergency leave policies, tax matters and virtual tutoring concerns. Through the fund’s Circle the Schools program, we partner with an inner-city elementary school to provide volunteer support, such as copying flyers and pitching in at after-school events.