Founder: Basil P. Fthenakis
Background and Experience
Basil is an attorney with over thirty years of experience as corporate and litigation counsel to emerging technology companies, with an emphasis on corporate finance, governance, competitive practices, intellectual property, and commercial transactions. He serves as counsel to emerging and established high technology businesses characteristic of the Silicon Valley in the software, telecommunications, computer and semiconductor industries. Basil regularly advises entrepreneurs and investors regarding financing of early stage technology ventures, and assists entrepreneurs in planning and executing new business ventures that will compete lawfully against those of former employers. In addition to his familiarity and experience with the competitive landscape in emerging high technology markets, Basil brings years of legal experience in the fields of software development and licensing, patent licensing, research and development activities, and distribution, manufacturing, supply and partnering arrangements.
Basil also represents clients in connection with more traditional commercial transactions and disputes, from industries as diverse as financial services, manufacturing, sales and brokerage, and construction.
Basil also serves as a member of the board of directors, and as chairman of the compensation committee, of PHYlogy, Inc.--a venture capital and private equity backed manufacturer of high technology equipment for the telecommunications industry, which recently sold its assets to Actelis Networks, Inc.
Basil is a trained mediator of commercial disputes and serves as a neutral mediator and arbitrator for the Santa Clara County Superior Court.
His practice emphasizes the following areas of substantive law:
Intellectual Property (patent, copyright and trademark)
Corporate Finance and Securities
Antitrust and Trade Regulation
Trade Secrets
Unfair Competition
Distribution and Licensing
Director's and Officer's Liability
Commercial Contracts
Real Property
Education
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University of California at Davis (A.B., with honors in Economics, 1976), Omicron Delta Epsilon;
University of Santa Clara (J.D., 1979).
Admitted to bar: 1979, California.
Publications
"Terminating the Price-Cutting Distributor: What's Next?" 8 CEB California Business Law Reporter 52
"Discounts and Allowances . . . Risky Business," The Channelmarker Letter Volume 2, Number 10, April 1991.
Peer Review Ratings
"AV" rating, Martindale & Hubbell directory; Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.
Presentations
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October 14, 2011: Udruga Fokus, Zagreb, Croatia--"Silicon Valley's Innovation Engine." (Panelist)
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July 29, 2009: Facebook Fund Campus, Facebook Fund Symposium--"Early Stage Intellectual Property and Corporate Formation Issues." (Co-presenter)
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June 25, 2009: Entrepreneur's Dojo--"Entity Formation & Startup Funding for Entrepreneurs." (Co-presenter)
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June 23, 2009: Venture Backed Executives Club VCTaskforce Event--"Survive (and Thrive) in Today's Business Environment." (Moderator)
March 24, 2009: Business Development Academy Seminar's Conference on Maximizing Returns on IP Portfolios--"The Role of Litigation in your IP Strategy." (Corporate & Litigation Attorney Panelist)
January 22, 2009: Fountain Blue/RAL & Associates, Transitions Group Event--"From the Layoff to the Onboarding: What Executives Need to Know to Navigate the Process." (Moderator)
January 13, 2009: Bio2Device Group--"Insights from the Cast of a Technology Company." (Moderator)
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August 2, 2008: iPhone DevCamp II Conference--"Term Sheets." (Presenter)