We are proud to be recognized as one of the top business law firms in California. We help small business owners and startups launch their companies, fund their ongoing activities and serve as their outside general counsel so they can focus on successfully running their business. We act as a catalyst by providing our clients with exceptional resources to help their businesses grow, and when the time is right we can help navigate a successful exit. It is like having a good friend or family member advising your business.
Team
Doug
Doug Bend
Legal Counsel For Entrepreneurs
Doug is the founder of Bend Law Group, PC, a law firm focused on advising small businesses and startups. He has been featured in numerous publications, including The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, Fox Business, MSN, Inc., and Forbes. Raised in Omaha, Doug is a graduate of Drake University where he graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with his B.A. in Political Science and History. He also received an M.A. in Political Science from the University of Nebraska and his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
Brandon
Brandon Shelton
Business & Startup Attorney
Brandon is a business and startup attorney, focusing on assisting new and emerging businesses in all of their transactional matters. He has represented clients from a wide array of industries, including tech and app developers, filmmakers, breweries, wineries and restaurants, real estate companies, and even chocolate makers. He has counseled clients on corporate formation, late stage preferred financing rounds, mergers & acquisitions, and everything in between. He also serves as outside-inside counsel, providing general counseling on all day-to-day matters, including licensing, brand management, and employee stock incentive plans. Brandon was formerly a computer programmer in the U.S. Air Force, and received his bachelor's degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara in Dramatic Arts. Brandon received his J.D. at King Hall at the University of California, Davis.
Vivek
Vivek Vaidya
Associate, Intellectual Property and Brand Protection Attorney
Vivek Vaidya provides legal counsel surrounding intellectual property, brand protection and creative content. This includes the life-cycle of trademarks and copyrights, from registration and licensing to enforcement. Additionally, Vivek works with contracts and other issues in the ever-growing field of internet law. Vivek earned his B.A. from the University of California, Irvine in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Law. He earned his law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law, obtaining an Intellectual Property Certificate with Honors.
Terrence
Terrence Smith
Of Counsel, Small Business & Startup Attorney
Terrence is a corporate and business lawyer with experience in a broad-range of transactions, both in law firms, and in-house. He
began his career as a Corporate & Securities attorney with Cooley LLP, and has subsequently been involved in numerous start-up company financings, commercial contract negotiations, and general corporate legal matters. He holds B.B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of San Diego, and an LL.M., with distinction, from Georgetown University Law Center.
Tucker
Tucker Cottingham
Of Counsel, Small Business & Startup Attorney
Tucker focuses his practice on helping small businesses and startups succeed. Tucker frequently begins representation at the entity formation stage and provides legal services throughout the growth process. His practice includes strategic entity formation, forming U.S. entities for international clients, entity conversions, structuring ownership, contract drafting and negotiation, trademark registration, and corporate dissolution. Tucker received a J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law and a B.A. in Classics from Kenyon College.
Hank
Hank Brown
Operations Manager
Hank arrives at Bend Law Group after working as a coordinator at a buzzing Bay Area startup that teaches computer programming skills to kids. Before that, Hank had a background as a copywriter and editor at an award-winning San Francisco creative agency.
Hank holds a degree in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University, and currently lives in Marin County with his lovely fiancée and puppy.
Kaya
Kaya Fujiwara
Real Estate Agent for BLG Properties
Kaya is a real estate agent with BLG Properties and has assisted in hundreds of real estate transactions and helped clients find their home at The Lumina, The Infinity, Millennium Towers, The Brannan, The Metropolitan and One Rincon Hill - just to name a few.
She has a Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of California, Irvine, and grew up in a family focused on residential and commercial real estate development.
Shalini
Shalini Sadda
Realtor for BLG Properties
Shalini is a seasoned realtor at San Francisco based BLG Properties. She has served on the Board for the Home Owners Association in two of SOMA's major condo developments (Millennium Tower and Lumina). As such, she is exceptionally positioned to provide valuable insight into the lifestyle that luxury condo living can offer, which her clients benefit from immensely.
