Will Turnbow

Full service business start-up firm specializing in business and intellectual property law. Services include: consultation with clients regarding proper entity choice, formation of business entities, custom operating agreement, tax implication consultation, draft and file provisional patents, negotiate and draft business and employment contracts, and resolve disputes through alternative dispute resolution or litigation.

Teach law students Advanced Legal Writing and Trademark Law in USD's Entrepreneurship Clinic. Strengthen fundamental legal writing skills, including mastery of: active voice and powerful word choices; constructing effective paragraphs; using proper grammar and punctuation; creating a strong micro and macro legal structure; developing poignant thesis and conclusion sentences; efficient issue spotting; extracting, formulating, and synthesizing rules of law; crafting explicit factual comparisons; and revising, editing, and perfecting their work product. Advise students of the significant intellectual property considerations for entrepreneurs in forming and expanding their small businesses, including: assisting with trademarkability research and consulting; conducting client interviews; negotiating intellectual property disputes; preparing and filing trademark applications with the USPTO and California Secretary of State; correspondence with USPTO examining attorneys; and potential litigation before the TTAB.

Attend to civil matters such as breach of contract claims, construction defect claims, maritime and admiralty law issues, personal injury claims, employment law issues, and general business disputes. Draft motions and conduct oral argument hearings, attend status conference hearings, conduct written discovery, draft meet and confer letters, compose client status update letters, and research, analyze, and draft memos regarding Jones Act and LHWCA legal issues.

Assist Chief Justice with core duties including enforcement of legal ethics and strategic planning. Confer with and advise four associate justices and court staff on all areas of civil and criminal trial and appellate procedure. Handle such matters as maritime and admiralty law issues, land and contract disputes, elder abuse, murder, kidnapping, drug possession and transportation, probate disputes, and questions of constitutional law. Draft court policies, provide review of contracts, liaise with outside counsel, implement online legal services, and attend court proceedings.

Instruct students in domestic and international contract and business law, including contact formation, interpretation, defenses, termination, remedies, and international commercial law bodies such as the UNIDROIT principles, and the UN Convention for the International Sale of Goods (CISG). Prepare students to pass the Trial Counselor Program and the FSM Bar Exam. Provide various methods of instruction such as lectures, group projects, oral presentations, written exercises, role-playing, guest speakers, and excursions to the local Court and Jail.

Civil litigation. Prepared witnesses for deposition testimony, negotiated settlements, drafted mediation briefs, prepared written discovery, and observed depositions, case management hearings, and mediations.

Criminal and civil defense litigation. Provided state and federal defense litigation support including court appearances, preparing discovery, drafting trial briefs and motions, interviewing witnesses, and conducting legal research and investigative work.

Advocated on behalf of low-income taxpayers with on-going disputes with the IRS, FTB, and BOE. Managed and supervised ten J.D. and LL.M. students as they held client interviews, researched tax codes, drafted appeal briefs, and represented clients in tax court and BOE hearings. Conducted community outreach presentations educating the public on matters including tax appeal rights, the IRS auditing and collection process, and the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Aided in the research and drafting of an Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court of California on behalf of the Franchise Tax Board.

Reviewed, analyzed, and drafted contracts and agreements, including real estate purchase and sale agreements, option agreements, licensing agreements, and employment contracts.

Spanish Minor