Legal Services & Lawyers

Sean's law practice is focused primarily on technology ventures, such as software, wireless telecommunications, and Internet-related companies, as well as firms in the visual effects, concept art and emerging media space. Sean's fifteen years of diverse legal experience make him well-suited to act as a "virtual general counsel" to his venture clients, guiding such enterprises through the complex legal and regulatory environment of the United States and abroad--and in all stages of growth, from founding to IPO.

Having closed countless complex technology transactions with numerous Fortune 100 companies worldwide, Sean has become the consummate deal lawyer, bringing to the table an ability to negotiate business-critical deals with efficiency and skill. During extensive international assignments in Tokyo and Munich, Sean earned invaluable experience in overseas entity formation, cross-border mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances and international licensing. Because of his experience in managing US and European operations for a global software company, Sean is uniquely qualified to understand the practical challenges of running a business.

Sean began his legal career with a large law firm in Denver, Colorado, where he represented numerous high technology enterprises in mergers and acquisitions, business planning, technology licensing, and intellectual property management, counseling and enforcement. Sean additionally enjoyed an extensive state and federal litigation and arbitration practice.

Eventually, Sean moved in-house with Sun Microsystems, Inc., where he ultimately became Assistant General Counsel. In this role, Sean was responsible for software and technology licensing and alliances for Japan and the Asia-Pacific region, as an expatriate in Tokyo.

In 2001, Sean joined the wireless and consumer software venture Aplix Corporation, also based in Tokyo, as General Counsel and Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs. Sean facilitated the company's international growth and eventual IPO on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2003. In addition to his General Counsel role, Sean managed, as President and Chief Operating Officer, the company's United States and European subsidiaries in San Francisco and Munich, from 2004 to 2006.

Sean is based in the firm's San Rafael, California office, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Phi Alpha Theta. Author: "Intellectual Property, Employment and Human Resource Law" articles in Publications such as National Law Journal, East Asian Executive Reports and Pearson's China Law for Business. Author: CCH's "Taiwan Employment Laws," 2002 and CCH's "China STAFF Employment Law Guide, Taiwan." Columnist, West Publishing's "International HR Journal," 1997-2001. Editorial Advisor, CCH's China Law Update, 2002-. Speaker and Lecturer: California State Bar Association conferences, International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition conferences, Bar Association of San Francisco Seminars, ABA conferences, Practicing Law Institute seminars, American Electronics Association conferences, International Trademark Association conferences and Harvard-Asia Business Conference. Member, Board of Directors, 1995-2000 and Treasurer, 1998-2000, Boalt Hall Alumni Association. Concurrent Professor of Law, Soochow University, Kenneth Wang School of Law, Suzhou, China, 2002-. Visiting Professor, University of California, Berkeley, 2003-; Pacific/McGeorge School of Law, 2005-. Registered Foreign Legal Representative in China, 2005-.

Eric Sternberger is a partner of Ragghianti Freitas LLP. Mr. Sternberger acts as outside general counsel to corporations, LLC's and partnerships with an emphasis on business and corporate transactions including entity selection, succession planning, joint ventures, contracts, mergers and acquisitions, buy-sell agreements, secured financing, licensing, and real estate matters. His representative clients include technology and intellectual property driven companies, shipping, construction, advertising/branding, web based, and the real estate and healthcare industries.

Mr. Sternberger's business counseling also includes advising directors, officers, and managers regarding business strategies, consensus building and corporate governance. Additionally, he advises shareholders and LLC interest holders regarding their rights and fiduciary protections.

Mr. Sternberger additionally provides risk analysis and negotiation services on behalf of Angel Investment, as they relate to bridge loan financing, convertible securities, and direct stock acquisition.

Along with his transactional practice, Mr. Sternberger maintains a complex business litigation practice dealing primarily with business disputes and shareholder disagreements, and provides mediation services as a panelist with Resolution Remedies emphasizing in business disputes.

Mr. Sternberger's client representation has extended from the United States to Europe, and South America. Such international representation has ranged from advising and forming foreign corporations, developing international marketing strategies and intellectual property protection. One of the more unique facets of his international work is the development and coordination of litigation strategies for lawsuits proceeding in other nations.

In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Sternberger has made a point to volunteer and provide pro bono legal services. He served as a Marin County Commissioner, acting as Chair of the Adult Criminal Justice Commission advising the Marin County Board of Supervisors on all aspects of criminal justice prosecution and prevention.

Mr. Sternberger is presently the Chair of the California State Bar Committee on Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies (2007-2008); serves on the Board of Directors of the Marin County Bar Association (2005-2008); and the incoming President of the Richard M. Sangster American Inn of Court (2008-2009)

Eric Sternberger is a native of Marin County, where he continues to reside with his wife, Kay.

Practice Areas
Corporate, LLC and Partnerships
Business Transactions
Business Litigation
Intellectual Property
Employment Law
International Business
Real Estate Transactions
Mediation

Education
University of California Hastings College of Law
(J.D. 1998)

University of San Francisco
(B.A., History, 1995)
Spanish (fluent)

Admissions
California State Courts
U.S. District Court - Northern District
United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Associations
Marin County Bar Association
Richard M. Sangster Inn of Court, Executive Board of Directors