Ashley Demland

Ashley Demland

Business & Intellectual Property Law for Busy Professionals
  • Business Law, Intellectual Property, Health Care Law ...
  • Oregon
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Biography

Expertise

General Business & Intellectual Property Law

Women-Owned & Family Businesses

Commercial Litigation

Fundraising and Securities

Mergers and Acquisitions

Biotechnology & Health Care



Background

Ashley focuses exclusively on advising corporate clients. From formation to exit, fundraising to litigation, Ashley is an experienced advocate who keeps her eye on the bottom line.

Like many of her clients, Ashley is an entrepreneur. After being battle-tested at a mid-sized business law firm in Portland, she and her husband Jeff and law school classmate Kristie realized their long-standing dream of owning their own firm. They’re now living out the advice they give their clients.

Ashley focuses on providing savvy, practical advice to businesses that are growing, fundraising, and contemplating exits. She’s experienced in advising companies in how to protect their intellectual property portfolios, how to raise money the right way, how to negotiate contracts with key advisers and vendors, and how to avoid legal pitfalls before they become a problem. And when they do become a problem, Ashley isn’t afraid to fight for her clients in litigation.

Outside of work, Ashley enjoys diving and exploring the Pacific NW with her husband Jeff, daughter Eliza, and two fantastic dogs Zoey and Heike.

For more information about Ashley’s credentials, her full resume is available on LinkedIn.



Community Involvement

Programming Committee, Harper’s Playground

Member, Oregon Women Lawyers

Member, Multnomah Bar Association

Member, Phi Delta Phi Legal Honors Society

Member, MOB Nation + Alliance, https://www.themobnation.com/

Education
Lewis & Clark College
J.D. (2015) | Law
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Professional Experience
Owner
Demland & Cromwell
- Current
Attorney
Immix Law Group
-
Speaking Engagements
Getting Your Recipe to Market (Legally), Getting Your Recipe to Market, PCC Climb Center
Portland Community College
Professional Associations
Oregon State Bar  # 150912
Member
Current
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Oregon
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Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Practice Areas
    Business Law
    Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
    Intellectual Property
    Health Care Law
    Trademarks
    Trademark Litigation, Trademark Registration
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Legal Answers
Q. Hi, this question is regarding member capital contributions vs profit distributions and what is profit? (In Oregon).
A: Your questions touch on both legal and financial (tax) issues, so the best people to fully answer your questions are (1) a business lawyer experienced in advising startups of this nature, particularly someone who is prepared to take on the securities implications of your question; and (2) a CPA. Working with them will help you identify a sound path forward. As to what feels fair under the circumstances, that's a business call that you'll have to make once you have all the facts in front of you.

As to buyouts, you have a lot of flexibility in how you want to handle this. Usually the buyout provision is spelled out in an operating agreement in advance, but it can also be included in other types of documents (sometimes styled as restricted unit grant or transfer agreements, or buy sell agreements, or perhaps even a subscription agreement). The LLC can, at times, buy the members out directly, or it can run as a right of first refusal that, for example, is first offered to the company and then to the other members. In these cases the operating agreement usually specifies the financing terms as well. Generally speaking, it's best to have the buyout plan in place before the first buyout occurs, when things are moving fast and, perhaps, emotions are running high.

The last thing I'll flag is that it sounds like the core concept behind your LLC may involve issuing securities. If that's so, you should know that it's a complicated and risky area of law, especially in Oregon. If you think this may apply to you, make sure you consult with an attorney who is prepared to advise you on the securities implications of your business.
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Q. Hello, my wife and I operate a small market garden under a simple DBA in Oregon.
A: Generally, the answer is yes - from a liability standpoint. To shield your personal assets from claims against your business, at a minimum you must form an entity separate from yourselves as individuals. That's usually an LLC, but it could also be a corporation. The DBA alone is not enough for this purpose; you must make a separate registration for the entity. (At that point you can consolidate your registrations.) I should point out that at the moment you may be operating as a general partnership by default, which would mean that not only are your personal assets reachable, but also that you are each personally liable for the problems the other individual creates. Forming a separate entity, and following other corporate formalities, greatly limits this exposure.

The issue of drawing regular paychecks gets to the issue of tax planning. You can take money out of the company in a number of ways, such as draw, or you can set yourself up as a formal W2 employee and draw regular salaries, or both. Other compensation options are available as well. The best person to advise you on on how to structure your total owner compensation package is a (licensed) CPA. I'd recommend that you reach out to a CPA to help you walk through this analysis. It will be time well spent.
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Websites & Blogs
Website
Demland & Cromwell
Blog
Law Blog
Contact & Map
Demland & Cromwell
7455 SW Bridgeport Road, Suite 205
Tigard, OR 97224
Telephone: (503) 420-5708