Business Affairs & Development * Entertainment & Transactional Law

Intellectual Property * General Litigation

Experienced attorney who has strong background in advising both start-up venture
s and successful existing businesses in a wide array of matters, including busin
ess formation, financing, trademark and copyright acquisition, licensing and pro
tection, employment contracts and contract negotiations.
Experience spans internet, technology, clothing and merchandising, food, enterta
inment, general business and nonprofit industries.
Areas of Expertise
* Business Formation & Compliance
* Intellectual Property Acquisition & Protection
* Licensee and Licensor Agreements
* Management and Employee Agreements
* Partnership Development and Formation
* B-2-B and B-2-C Agreements
* Talent and Producer Representation in Television and Film
* Creative Business Development Campaigns
Professional Background
Los Angeles, CA 2007 - Present
Solo Practitioner
Kingston Law, PC
Diverse individual and business-focused practice included:
Corporate/Business & Intellectual Property Law: Counseled first-time and season
ed entrepreneur client-base with optimal methods of business formation and on co
rporate compliance. Drafted and helped negotiate operating and other internal m
anagement/board of director agreements, as well as agreements with independent c
ontractors and employees that minimize possible future litigation and redress an
y misappropriation proprietary interests. Both acquired and protected trademark
and copyright interests on behalf of clients, and successfully prevented claims
of infringement of such interests before commencement of litigation. Actively
discovered and negotiated partnership and licensing agreements to boost clients'
business development and market exposure. Successfully dealt with various UCC
agreements and disputes.
Entertainment & Transactional Law: Represented talent on numerous "pitches" and
pilots before studios and production companies. Conducted negotiations that le
d to the acquisition of rights pertaining to film scripts, literature and life s
tories. Drafted and negotiated various writer, talent, and production company a
greements.
General Litigation: Successfully represented Progressive Insurance, Inc. and Le
gacy Pacific Insurance, Inc. in over 100 bad faith insurance actions and third-p
arty auto injury claims from pleading through trial. Represented clients in mal
practice actions, all of which resulted successful settlements.
Los Angeles, CA 2007 - Present
In-House Counsel/Director
Existory, Inc.
Counsel for Internet Start-up Company: Independently raised entire round of see
d capital from private equity investors requiring complex terms and conditions.
Drafted and negotiated numerous advisor, board of director, employee and indepe
ndent contractor agreements. Acquired proprietary interest for company through t
he filing of trademark and copyright applications. Provided oversight over enti
re company's actions and holding in order to maintain corporate compliance.
Los Angeles, CA 2006 - Present
Co-Founder/Director/Counsel
Netting Nations, Inc.
Counsel for 501(c)3 NGO: Oversaw formation of and successful application to IRS
 for 501(c)(3) status as a tax-exempt organization whose purpose is to bring awa
reness to and raise funds for the purchase and distribution of WHO-approved long
-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets to combat the global epidemic of mala
ria in Africa and other developing regions of the world. Duties include oversig
ht of both corporate and IRS requirements pertaining to tax-exemption status, as
well as negotiations with international companies and the bureaucracies of fore
ign countries, including those in Africa and Asia, to see that the most cost-eff
ective means of purchase and distribution are attained.
Los Angeles, CA 2003 - 2007
Senior Associate
La Follette, Johnson, De Haas, Fesler & Ames
Professional Malpractice: As a senior associate, handled all aspects of complex
litigation (catastrophic injuries, medical malpractice, elder abuse and product
liability) from pleading through trial. Consistently managed case loads of 30-
40 files with potential damage exposures ranging from $250K to $5 million. Effe
ctively deposed hundreds of plaintiffs and opposing medical and economic experts
. Demonstrated particular strength in mediations and informal negotiations. Re
presented medical professionals and business entities in trial and arbitration p
roceedings, all of which resulted in defense verdicts.
Professional Memberships/Certifications and Education
Pepperdine School of Law, Malibu, CA
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
State Bar of California, No. 230217
State Bar of Nebraska, No. 23355
Notary Public, No. 1677575
Miscellaneous Honors, Appointments & Achievements
Pepperdine School of Law 2010 - Present
Board of Advisors
Appointed to Geoffrey H. Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law ("Palmer
Center") distinguished Board of Advisors, joining 2006 Nobel Peace Prize recipi
ent Dr. Muhammad Yunus and other notable "movers and shakers" in the fields busi
ness, law and social entrepreneurialism. The Palmer Center is a nation-leading
law school certificate program designed to prepare students for the heightened d
emands and unique opportunities that technology presents in such areas as busine
ss, entertainment law, securities regulation, and intellectual property rights.
University of Nebraska @ Lincoln
Student-Athlete
Consistently on Dean's Honor Roll. GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-American Nominee; Fir
st Team Academic All Big 12 Nominee; GTE Academic All-District VII University Se
cond Team; Golden Key National Honor Society: 1996-1999; 3-time letter on two-ti
me National Championship football teams (1995, 1997).