Social Enterprise

The Social Enterprise practice at Ater Wynne combines our business and legal expertise from our deep-rooted practice of advising entrepreneurs in emerging businesses with our commitment to socially responsible business practices. The Social Enterprise practice comes naturally to our firm as we are able to draw upon our internal sustainable practices and efforts to make a meaningful social impact. We are uniquely able to help social entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses while protecting their missions.

Ater Wynne is founded on collaboration. Our Social Enterprise group is comprised of lawyers from diverse practice areas that touch the evolving legal issues and policies affecting social entrepreneurs, including: corporate securities and finance, nonprofit, international trade, environmental, land use, energy, tax, and employment. Our clients include numerous B corporations. Ater Wynne’s legal services to social entrepreneurs include:

  • Entity structure and formation
  • Entity governance structures to preserve mission-keeper responsibility and authority
  • Tax-exempt and hybrid nonprofit/for-profit business models and
    structures
  • Entity governance and accountability to satisfy B corporation and benefit corporation standards
  • Negotiation and documentation of funding arrangements, including grants, fiscal sponsorships, equity investments and loans
  • Securities law compliance
  • Strategic partnering
  • Commercial agreements
  • Licensing and distribution of intellectual property
  • Protection of trademarks, copyrights and domain names
  • Employment law and executive compensation
  • Tax planning and execution
  • Distribution and marketing, both domestic and international
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Commercial leases and real estate transactions

Ater Wynne plays an active role in the community by being involved with Portland State University’s Business Accelerator program, serving as a sponsor and consultant to local start-ups. The firm has also partnered with PSU’s Impact Entrepreneurs Social Innovation Incubator (SII) program where we have helped guide local social entrepreneurs in the process of launching their business.