Duffield Law, P.C. – Outside General Counsel. Legal Department Support

Representing business clients in a range of transactional matters.

A boutique law firm at the forefront of the new legal services model, providing innovative, flexible, and high-quality advice and support.

Meet Clara

Clara regularly represents hedge funds, financial institutions, tech companies and startups in the complex legal issues faced by businesses of all sizes. Her general experience includes corporate structuring, privacy, cybersecurity, intellectual property, real estate and technology. She also has deep experience in more industry-specific legal needs, such as exchange relationships, quantitative research, white labeling, alpha capture, electronic trading, IP licensing and management, and data licensing, purchases and sales.

Clara enjoys diving into to complicated legal frameworks and figuring out how they apply to her clients. Whether it is international and U.S. privacy laws, or equity compensation of employees, she focuses on mitigating the risks to the client.

After graduating from The University of Chicago Law School in 2002, Clara spent eight years in private practice representing clients in complex commercial real estate, merger and acquisition, branding, and other transactional matters. Clara then worked as in-house counsel to a large financial services company, handling intellectual property, vendor contracts, technology, privacy, cybersecurity, licensing, marketing, and otherwise supporting general operations. She opened her own practice in September of 2017 and represents hedge funds, financial services companies, and technology companies in a range of transactional matters.

EDUCATION

University of Chicago Law School

J.D., 2002

American University

B.A. in History, 1999

ADMISSIONS

Illinois

Virginia (inactive)

areas of practice

Intellectual Property

Branding. Marketing. Copyright. Portfolio Management.

Intellectual Property can be a company’s most valuable asset. From contract negotiation to internal corporate structuring, we develop real-world IP protection strategies to fit client needs.

Technology

SaaS. Cloud. Software. Hardware. Privacy. Professional Services. Customization. White Labeling.

Everyone needs it. Representing both vendors and customers, we know the market, and understand how to effectively and efficiently close technology transactions.

Hedge Funds

DATA. RESEARCH. EXCHANGE RELATIONSHIPS. ELECTRONIC TRADING. ALPHA CAPTURE. AUDITS.

Adding significant value for hedge fund clients by contributing a depth and breadth of business and industry knowledge.

Corporate Structuring

Corporate structuring can be critical to business strategies. We work with clients and their third-party advisors to create appropriate and uniquely tailored corporate structures, and to modify and adjust those structures as necessary to accommodate growth.

Vendor Management

Understanding the importance of vendors, and assisting clients in developing procedures, processes, and strategies to appropriately and thoughtfully negotiate vendor contracts and manage vendor relationships.

Commercial Transactions

With experience in mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and many other matters, we comprehensively address issues to meet client needs.

Data

At the forefront of the “big data” revolution, we understand how funds use data, and negotiate data contracts with providers of every type, ranging from large exchanges to small, non-traditional data companies.

Research

From standard broker research to exclusive, bespoke studies, we develop and negotiate form contracts, navigate compliance concerns, and work to ensure optimum value.

Exchange Relationships

Whether adding an exchange membership or reviewing and updating exchange contracts to ensure compliance and mitigate audit risk, we assist clients in establishing and maintaining fruitful relationships with worldwide exchanges.

Electronic Trading

Whether developing and negotiating for electronic trading contracts for platform operators, or representing trading participants, our electronic trading experience extends worldwide across all asset classes, programs, and structures.

Alpha Capture

We represent technology companies and funds in establishing and managing proprietary alpha capture platforms worldwide, along with advising clients as to use and consumption of trade ideas from platforms operated by third-parties

Audits

With significant vendor and exchange audit experience, we assist clients in managing audit scope, responding to auditor requests, negotiating settlements, and ensuring contractual compliance.

Technology Transactions

Assisting clients in purchasing and selling public and private cloud services, and negotiating contracts for “out of the box” and custom SaaS solutions.

Software

Representing vendors and customers of every size in licensing, sublicensing, and establishing distribution networks for on premises and cloud-based software solutions.

Hardware

We have experience with hardware sales, purchases, evaluations, and licenses, from establishing complex joint ventures to build custom products and solutions, to standard “out of the box” products.

Privacy

Our heavily regulated clients, whether or not consumer-facing, require us to understand and consider the implications of state, federal and international privacy law, whether negotiating a simple contract or establishing firmwide privacy policies and compliance manuals.

Professional Services

Working with service providers and customers to establish mutually beneficial consulting and professional service relationships.

Customization

Understanding the unique needs of vendors and customers in respect of customized technology solutions.

White Labeling

Whether for software, services, or trading algorithms, we work with clients to manage risk and promote sales in white label transactions.

Real Estate Acquisition

We have experience purchasing all types of properties from multi-million dollar hotels, office buildings, and industrial properties to single- and multi-family residential.

Disposition

Providing full-service representation in the sale of hotels, office buildings, industrial, commercial, and residential properties.

Financing

Our capabilities range from simple first-lien acquisition financings to large multi-property securitized loans, across industries and property types.

Leasing

We have experience ranging across retail, office, industrial, and residential leasing, including complex ground leases arrangement and structuring.

Construction

Our experience includes representing owners and developers in all stages of construction and permitting, from residential PUDs and high-rise buildings, to hospitality property development and renovation.

Branding

Our branding experience ranges across products and industries, including software and technology, hospitality establishments, including restaurants, golf courses and private clubs, condominiums and real estate developments, and retail products, such as clothing.

Marketing

Engageing marketing consultants and agencies, finalize sponsorship and speaking arrangements, manage event procurement and participation, and advises clients regarding social media and digital marketing.

We provide strategic and flexible representation to businesses of all sizes. Our clients include entrepreneurs and early-stage startups to Fortune 100 companies. From outside general counsel or volume work to discreet assignments, our small firm model allows us the flexibility to provide only the legal services a client needs, without sacrificing the quality all clients deserve. With a depth of in-house experience, we work with clients to thoughtfully assess risk, identify and engage subject matter experts, and manage legal spend.

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