ABOUT US

Aboutus

Brent Lawrence
Managing Shareholder
(916) 475-1272, ext. 23
brent@businesslawventures.com

Education:

• M.B.A., U.C. Davis Graduate School of Management, 2000
• J.D., University of San Diego College of Law, 1994
• B.S., U.C. Riverside, Business Administration, cum laude, 1991

Professional:

Mr. Lawrence founded Business Law Ventures (BLV) in 1998, prior to which he was with the international law firm Graham & James. Mr. Lawrence’s practice focuses on:

  • Mergers and Acquisitions,
  • Private Equity and Debt Financings,
  • Commercial Real Estate,
  • Transaction-Based Tax Planning, and
  • General Corporate Governance and Counsel.

Prior to joining Graham and James in 1997, Mr. Lawrence was with the Aylward & Associates from 1994-1997. Selected representative transactions include:

  • 2009: Assisted Animal Supply Co., a $150 million pet food distributor, in the acquisition of five companies.
  • 2009: Facilitated sale of Western Blue ($100 million revenues) to NWN Corporation.
  • 2008: Assisted one of Canada’s wealthiest families in acquiring over $20 million of distressed commercial real estate.
  • 2007: Facilitated conduit loan financing on $18 million commercial real estate portfolio with Merrill Lynch (Kirkpatrick & Lockhart opposing counsel).
  • 2006: Represented Valley Healthcare in a significant venture capital financing (Morrison Foerster as opposing counsel).
  • 2005: Represented one of multiple parties in a $75 million acquisition involving Western Truck Parts & Equipment Company and Peterbilt (Preston Gates as opposing counsel).
  • 2004: Assisted JTS Communities ($550 million annual revenues) with the sale of its $110 million construction business to a federally recognized Indian tribe.
  • 2003: Assisted Sierra Office Supplies & Printing ($40 million annual revenues) in making two of its largest acquisitions.
  • 2003: Facilitated debt financing for Unify Corporation with Silicon Valley Bank.

Memberships/Affiliations/Other Professional:

  • Olympic Club, San Francisco
  • Entrepreneurs Organization
  • Sports Lawyers Association
  • Positive Coaching Alliance - Director
  • Business Law Section of CA Bar
  • Assoc. Commercial Real Estate ("ACRE")
  • Real Estate Law Section of CA Bar
  • Tax Law Section of CA Bar
  • Community 1st Bank, Founder and Director, 2006-2008

Personal:

Mr. Lawrence, originally from San Diego, played basketball at U.C. Riverside from 1988-1991, where his team made the final four in 1989.

Douglas C. Bosley
Corporate Attorney
(916) 475-1272, ext. 24
douglas@businesslawventures.com

Education:

• J.D., Duke University School of Law, 2000, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif
• B.A., California State University, Economics, 1990

Professional:

Mr. Bosley joined Business Law Ventures (BLV) in May 2010 and brings a decade of sophisticated corporate transaction experience to BLV. Mr. Bosley’s practice focuses on:

  • Mergers and Acquisitions,
  • Private Equity and Venture Capital Financing,
  • Corporate Entity Selection and Formation,
  • Debt Financings, including Venture Debt,
  • Licensing and Joint Venture Arrangements and other Contracts, and
  • General Corporate Governance and Counsel.

A Sacramento native, Mr. Bosley first practiced at Perkins Coie in Portland, Oregon, before returning to Sacramento in 2004 to join DLA Piper (then Gray Cary). Mr. Bosley was then recruited to join the corporate group at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman in 2006, and in 2009 Mr. Bosley, along with the entire Pillsbury corporate group, moved to Greenberg Traurig’s Sacramento office. Selected representative transactions (all prior to joining BLV) include*:

  • $2 million acquisition of motor sports dealership assets from bankruptcy.
  • $75 million acquisition of five portfolio companies from NYSE-listed seller.
  • $2.5 million acquisition of physical therapy products company (represented seller).
  • $1 million debt financing for wireless sensor company.
  • $5.2 million Series A venture capital financing internet-based (retail) company.
  • $1 million venture debt financing for internet-based (retail) company.
  • $150,000 angel investment for wine technology company.
  • $500,000 secured loan with Silicon Valley Bank for wireless internet service provider.
  • $10 million Series B venture capital financing in wireless sensor company.
  • $35 million recapitalization of insurance company (debt and equity components).
  • PIPE investment in publicly-traded solar products company (investor side).
  • $750,000 Series A seed financing round for medical testing company.
  • $3 million private equity investment in hedge fund management company.
  • $60 million sale of two wine brands by beverage conglomerate to E&J Gallo.

Memberships/Affiliations:

  • Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance (SARTA), Board Member, 2008-present. Leadership Series committee member 2009-present.
  • McClellan Technology Incubator, Board Member, 2008-2009.
  • Sacramento Theatre Company, Board Member, 2009–present.
  • Oregon Public Broadcasting, National Steering Committee Member, 2003-2004.
  • Portland Business Alliance, Top Ten Business Growth Awards Committee Member, 2003-2004.
  • Pro Bono Representation (current and prior): San Juan Education Foundation, Francis House, Arden Park Homeowners’ Association, Resource Area for Teachers (RAFT), Friends of Chamber Music, Bicycle Transportation Alliance, The Bridge Community Church.

Personal:

In addition to BLV clients, Mr. Bosley’s passions include time with his wife and 3 children, writing and recording music, woodworking and cooking. Prior to law school, Mr. Bosley served as financial analyst and development officer for KVIE Channel 6 (Sacramento PBS affiliate).

Molly T. O’Connell
Paralegal
(916) 475-1272
molly@businesslawventures.com

Education:

• Paralegal Certificate, Pacific College of Legal Careers, 1985
• B.A., California State University, Criminal Justice, 1982

Professional:

Ms. O’Connell joined Business Law Ventures (BLV) as a paralegal in 2010 and brings 25 years of sophisticated professional paralegal experience to BLV, including most recently four years at Morrison & Foerster LLP, and prior to that six years at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati LLP in Silicon Valley. Ms. O’Connell’s expertise includes high-level paralegal support for:

  • Mergers and Acquisitions,
  • Financing Transactions,
  • Due Diligence,
  • Corporate Entity Formation and Compliance,
  • Corporate Governance, including Drafting Corporate Resolutions,
  • Stock Incentive Plan Administration,
  • Analysis of Restricted Stock Resales and Rule 144 Opinion Letters,
  • State Qualifications,
  • SEC Filings, including Section 16 Compliance,
  • Blue Sky Research and Compliance, and
  • UCC Filings.