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Trent Dykes

Morgan McDonald

Partner, Vancouver

morgan.mcdonald@dlapiper.comT +1 604 643 6416F +1 604 605 3740

I am a business lawyer who has been lucky enough to work with countless startup and growth ‎companies across many stages and sectors, helping them as their outside general counsel. I truly enjoy working with founders to get their dream company off the side of the desk and into reality, and with teams to figure out solutions to their growing pains and help them determine their go-to-market strategies. My goal is to be the reliable, sturdy resource: someone who remains in touch, knows where your company is at, and can help you work through solutions efficiently.

I work with companies in the technology ‎sector, including software, gaming, ecommerce and related technology-facing businesses and emerging markets, ‎including artificial intelligence, cloud computing and privacy. I also enjoy working with companies in the impact, wellness, and tech-enabled services spaces. Finally, I’ve been very involved in emerging markets related to consumer goods and life sciences. Regardless of the industry, my goal is to provide a ‎business-centric and practical approach to solving business and legal needs from incorporation through exit. ‎I am qualified to practice in British Columbia and California. As part of DLA Piper, I particularly appreciate as the firm’s ability to be a global solutions provider.

Day to day, I assist clients at early stages with long- and short-term planning in company formation and shareholder and ‎founder agreements. As they grow, I help clients work through IP creation, commercialization, and management, go-to-‎market contract drafting and negotiation including development, licencing and subscription agreements, ‎employment and contractor agreements and compensation plans, and ongoing contract review. As needs arise, ‎I enjoy assisting companies and investors with debt and equity financing from friends and family and seed through ‎series rounds and private equity and venture capital opportunities by negotiating and managing transactions from ‎term sheet through close. ‎

Outside of direct work, I enjoy being active in the startup community, acting as a mentor with a number of accelerators and incubators ‎and speaking regularly to entrepreneurs. When not working, I try to spend as much time as possible outside with my husband, son, and friends exploring and enjoying British Columbia by foot, ski, bike, or inflatable tube.

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