People
Intro
Jonathan has extensive experience with corporate transactions. He represents investors and companies from start up through acquisition and also acts as general counsel to many companies. He founded and led Hanson Bridgett’s sustainable law practice, which focuses on developing a more sustainable economy by assisting mission driven companies and high impact investors in a variety of industries. Jonathan represents entities and their investors in connection with business and intellectual property transactions, including formation, finance, contracts, licenses, joint venture and development, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, e-commerce, technology-related matters and general corporate law. He also represents many non-profit charities, foundations, and business associations. He partners with his clients to strategize creative solutions helping them achieve their goals.
Jonathan chaired the legal working group which drafted and advocated for benefit corporation legislation in California. A benefit corporation is a new class of for profit corporation and the first that is required to create a material positive impact on society and the environment and to meet higher standards of accountability and transparency in addition to creating shareholder value. He was selected as the California Lawyer Attorney of the Year for his work on this legislation which is now the law in 36 states and several foreign countries. He is proud that Hanson Bridgett is the first law firm to become a certified B corporation. Hanson Bridgett has received the Top 100 companies Impact Award from Real Leaders for its efforts in creating a purpose-driven company as part of Jonathan's work. In addition, Jonathan has been honored as a Top Impact CEO on the MO 100 list. See http://benefitcorp.net/ and http://www.bcorporation.net for more information about benefit corporations.
Previously, Jonathan led the firm's Business Section as well the Corporate Practice Group.
Areas of Focus
Education
J.D.
University of California, Los Angeles School of Law
(
1986
)
B.A.
University of North Carolina
(
1982
)
Admissions and Courts
California
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Role
Cannabis Practice Leader
Cannabis Practice Leader
Represented MM Acquisition Co in a California based asset sale to DionyMed Brands, Inc.
Represented Project Cannabis in a major $69 million acquisition deal by Columbia Care.
Represented California-based resort hospitality company in multimillion-dollar sale of multijurisdictional resort operating business.
Represented resort hospitality concession company in multimillion-dollar sale of multistate business operations.
Represented international e-commerce company in a complex, multimillion-dollar purchase of international marketing and information services company
Represented multinational environmental engineering firm in a complex, multimillion-dollar purchase of international engineering and consulting firm focused on coastal, waterfront, and water resources projects.
Represented Alliant International University, a multi-accredited university, in its transition from a nonprofit to a venture backed for-profit benefit corporation.
Represented majority shareholder founder in the $158,000,000 acquisition of Zep Solar by Solar City.
Represented parent in a venture capital financed spin out from parent of multi-patented SaaS based water safety monitoring technology platform into a two-tiered corporate structure (Delaware LLC parent with a Delaware corporate subsidiary) with multiple ongoing post-closing commercial arrangements between parent investor and new companies.
Represented target in a venture capital financed acquisition of New Leaf Community Markets by New Seasons Market, the first B corporation to B corporation merger.
Acted as investment counsel to SJF Ventures, a high impact venture capital fund focused on resource efficiency, sustainability and technology-enhanced services sectors.
Represented Oracle Team USA as outside chief corporate counsel in connection with the 34th America's Cup.
Represented target in a merger between Software AG, a German public company and Longjump, a software company focused on cloud, mobile, social collaboration and big data.
Represented Sony Computer Entertainment negotiating multi-million dollar commercial transaction with AT&T to bring 3G service to PlayStation portable gaming device.
Represented America's Cup Event Authority negotiating various multi-million dollar e-commerce, licensing, and media sponsorship transactions in connection with the 34th America's Cup.
Represented joint venture technology company negotiating and drafting complex, strategic, high-growth technology joint ventures with AT&T, Cisco, and Hewlett-Packard.
Represented issuer in a $175,000,000 New York Stock Exchange initial public offering and secondary offerings (NYSE: ARC).
Represented borrower in a $220,000,000 senior secured high yield debt offering.
Represented taxpayer in a nine month negotiation with IRS for offer in compromise on tax settlement of 3.5 cents on the dollar.
Benefit Company Bar Association, Member
California Legal Working Group for Benefit Corporations, Co-Chair
Bar Association of San Francisco, Member
Barristers Club of San Francisco, former President
Bar Association of San Francisco Foundation, former Board of Directors Member
American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, former Executive Council Member
"OpenAI CEO Says Company Could Become Benefit Corporation Akin to Rivals Anthropic, xAI," The Information (June 2024)
"Musk’s xAI Incorporates as Benefit Corporation With 'Positive Impact’ Goal," The Information (December 2023)
"Table of Experts: How to Embrace Sustainability Practices in an Evolving Regulatory Environment," San Francisco Business Times (September 2022)
“Episode #41 — Benefit Corporations with Jonathan Storper,” Sensiba San Filippo / Rebooting Capitalism (July 2022)
"Cannabis Law Attorneys Stay Busy to Keep Pace with Industry Growth," Of Counsel (April 2022)
"Hanson Bridgett gets 6th B Corp certification," Daily Journal (April 2022)
“Longtime Marin County Cannabis Advocate Looks Back on Legacy of California Legalization,” North Bay Business Times (November 2021)
“Columbia Care Acquires California's Project Cannabis,” Cannabis Business Times (December 2020)
"Higher Law: Who Got the Work," Law.com (December 2020)
"R&D Tax Credit: A Viable Option to Reduce Tax Burdens?," Cannabis Business Times (December 2020)
"What You Need To Know About Investing In Marijuana With A Biden-Harris Win," The Fresh Toast (November 2020)
"Six Months After Legalization, Canada’s Cannabis Edibles Market is Stalled: ‘We’re Just at the Beginning of Professionalizing this Industry," Beverage Daily (April 2020)
"Publicly Traded Canadian Producers Are Fueling M&A Growth in the U.S.," Cannabis Business Times (September 2019)
"DionyMed Acquires California Cannabis Company Through REIT Transaction," Cannabis Dispensary (August 2019)
"Mark Zuckerberg May Finally Be Doing Philanthropy The Right Way," Huffpost Business (December 2015)
"Eased Capital-Raising Rules Won't Crowd Out PE Firms," The Deal (November 2015)
"Impact Investing Goes Mainstream; Is It Time You Thought About It?" Forbes (June 2015)
"Etsy's Planned IPO Brings Benefit Corps Into Sharp Focus," Law360 (March 2015)
"Hanson Bridgett handles water infrastructure company formation," Daily Journal Deals (January 2015)
"Interview: Jonathan Storper, Partner at Hanson Bridgett LLP and Involved in Passage of CA Benefit Corporation Legislation," Innov8Social (March 2013)
"Hanson Bridgett: Official Outside Counsel to the America's Cup," San Francisco Attorney (Summer 2012)
"Benefit Corporations in California,"KCUI Radio(November 2011)
"Sustainable Hanson practices what it preaches," San Francisco Business Times (July 2011)
"Making the B List," Stanford Social Innovation Review (Summer 2009)
"Silicon Valley law firms ramp up for economic recovery practices," Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal (March 2009)
"A Social Solution, Without Going the Nonprofit Route," The New York Times (March 2009)
"Seeing Green," Fast Casual Magazine (February 2009)
"GREEN PRACTICES: Green Law: Policymakers explore tariff systems," North Bay Business Journal (November 2008)
"Green Labeling: Are Products Tagged 'Eco-Friendly' Really Environmentally Correct?" Sustainability: The Journal of Record (October 2008)
"Triple Threat," Sustainable Industries (September 2008)
"Interview with Jonathan Storper, Partner, Hanson Bridgett," GreenBusinessInnovators.com (September 2008)
"California Bill Vets Triple Bottom Lines," Sustainable Industries (July 2008)
"Risks of Going Green," GC California (June 2008)
"Adding the Environment to the Scales of Justice,"GreenBiz.com (May 2008)
"Shielding the Green," The Recorder (April 2008)
"'Green' is Hot for Storage Managers," InternetNews.com and EnterpriseStorageForum.com (August 2007)
"Anywhere But Here: The Merits and Perils of Offshoring and Its Consequences for the North Bay," Northbay Biz (September 2005)
Lawyers of Distinction (2021)
Cannabis Law Report & Cannabis Law Journal, Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers (2020-2024)
American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell™, Top Rated Lawyer in Intellectual Property (2012, 2013, 2020)
American Lawyer Media, Top Rated Lawyer in Northern California (2019)
San Francisco’s Top-Rated Lawyers (2012–2013)
Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent® (2023-2024)
Super Lawyers, Business Law (2006–2008)
American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, Fellow
"California’s Climate Laws: Navigating The New Business Landscape (Part 2)," Greenplaces (October 2024)
"California’s Climate Regulations: A Model for the Nation (Part 1)," Greenplaces (September 2024)
"Ask A Tech Attorney: What recent changes has the FTC made to the rules governing consumer product warranties?" SF.Citi Newsletter (August 2015)
"FTC Completes Review of Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act," Technology Law Alert (August 2015)
"Meet the for-profit benefit," The Daily Journal (January 2015)
"Venture Greenhouse 2.0 Now Accepting Applications!" Sustainable Business & Impact Investing Law Alert (May 2014)
"Benefit Corporations," California Lawyer (January 2014)
"Benefit Corporations – A Board Primer," Boardroom INSIDER (August 2013)
"Sign on the Dotted Line," Technology & Intellectual Property Snapshots (2001)
“Intricacies of Restrictive Covenants and Non-Compete Agreements,” USLAW Fall 2024 Client Conference (September 2024)
“Strategically Grow Your Financial Resources,” Armanino / Silver Oak Winery Wealth Management and Succession Planning Presentation (September 2024)
“Corporate Transparency Act,” USLAW NETWORK Cross-Border Exchange (April 2024)
“ESG Challenges for Business Today in the USA,” TELFA Annual Meeting (June 2023)
"Business is Disrupted: Shifting Valuation: Down-rounds and Underwater Options," Hanson Bridgett Business Disruption Strategies Webinar (June 2020)
"Business is Disrupted: Navigating through the Straits of COVID-19: Preserving Liquidity, Restructuring Your Balance Sheet & Surviving," Hanson Bridgett Business Disruption Strategies Webinar (May 2020)
"Cannabis & Impact," SVC Fall Conference (November 2019)
"Terms Sheets and Convertible Notes: Structuring the Deal," Founder Institute Los Angeles (May 2019)
"Social Enterprise Law," HBLI Spring Symposium (February 2019)
"Legal Overview: Business Entity Formation and Funding for Startups," Aging 2.0 (September 2018)
"Mergers and Acquisitions," USLAW Fall Conference (September 2018)
"How Sustainable Business Certifications Add Value to Businesses and the World Alike," 2017 Sustainable Enterprise Conference Marin Panel (October 2017)
"Benefit Corporations," B Corporation Retreat (October 2017)
"Fin Tech," USLAW Cross Border Exchange (September 2017)
"Structuring Start-ups," USLAW Fall Client Conference (September 2017)
"B Corps – Business Model of the Future?" North Bay Leadership Council Board of Directors and General Membership Meeting (June 2017)
"Legal Office Hours," Tumml's Urban Insights: Raising Your Seed Round Workshop (February 2016)
"Impact Exit Celebration," Investors' Circle (December 2015)
"Structuring Investment Rounds in Silicon Valley," Aging2.0 AgeTech Expo (November 2015)
"Benefiting the Bottom Line: Conscious Culture, Mindfulness & Innovative Employee Benefits," Conscious Capitalism Bay Area (September 2015)
"Innovation Agenda Setting Roundtable," Global Innovation Summit (June 2015)
"Discussion of B Corps & Benefit Corporations," Sustainatopia (May 2015)
"The Mainstreaming Impact Investing," Sustainatopia (May 2015)
"Benefit Corporations in Higher Education: A new way to support the mission," Western Association of Schools and Colleges (April 2015)
"When It Comes to Policy, If You're Not at the Table, You're on the Menu," American Sustainable Business Council Reception (October 2014)
"2014 Socially Responsible Business Career Panel," Mills College (April 2014)
"The New Financial Landscape: Conscious Investors, Investments, and Philanthropy," Sustainable Business Leadership Forum (April 2014)
“Corporate Form (Part II),” University of San Francisco, MBA Social Entrepreneur course (March 2014)
"Benefit Corporations," Alliant International University & Faculty Senate (February 2014)
"Benefit Corporations: A New Hybrid Corporation Form for Social Entrepreneurs," The Business, Commercial and Bankruptcy Section of the Barristers Club (July 2013)
"Social Entrepreneurship: Legal and Business Issues," University of San Francisco, School of Management (June 2013)
"Term Sheets and Convertible Notes: Structuring the Deal," Investors' Circle Spring 2013 Venture Fair and Forum (May 2013)
"Power of Angel Investing," Investors' Circle Spring 2013 Venture Fair and Forum (May 2013)
"Social Enterprises," panelist, U.C. Berkeley School of Law (April 2013)
"Benefit Corporations – A New Model for Sustainable Capitalism," Alameda County Bar Association (April 2013)
"Careers in Business Law," U.C. Hastings Law School Business Law Section (February 2013)
"Incorporating Change: How Social Benefit Legislation is Reshaping the Corporate Outlook," U.C. Berkeley Haas School of Business (November 2012)
"The Case for B Corp Certification and Benefit Corporations," Green Festival: A Project of Green America & Global Exchange (November 2012)
"Incorporating Change: How Social Benefit Legislation is Reshaping the Corporate Outlook," U.C. Hastings Legal Symposium (October 2012)
"Explore How This New Model Works & Its Positive Impact On Your Business," Green Chamber of Commerce, North Bay Benefit Corp Forum (August 2012)
"Benefit Corporation: The New Kid on the Block," Bar Association of San Francisco, Business Law Section (July 2012)
"Benefit Corporations: A New Model for Sustainable Capitalism," North Bay Chapter of the California Society of Enrolled Agents (May 2012)
"How Benefit Corporations Support the Development of the Sustainable Enterprise Movement," Sustainable Enterprise Conference (May 2012)
"Benefit Corporations: A New Model For Sustainable Capitalism," Contemplative Leadership and Sustainability Program at Santa Clara University (May 2012)
"The Benefit Corp Revolution: What it Means for Businesses, Non-Profits and You," Hanson Bridgett & Full Circle Fund Seminar (February 2012)
"SF Small Business Commission & Small Business California – B Corp & Benefit Corp," Hub San Francisco (February 2012)
"Building a Just and Sustainable Local Economy," Progressive Opportunities Conference (February 2012)
"Benefit Corporations: A New Model for Sustainable Capitalism," Practicing Law Institute (February 2012)
"A Whole New World: California's Benefit Corporation Law," The North Bay Innovation Hub – Business Essentials Series (January 2012)
"Benefit Corporations: A New Corporation For A New Economy," North Bay Green Technology Investment Showcase (October 2011)
"Understanding the Benefit Corporation," Bar Association of San Francisco (May 2011)
"Behind the Scenes with B2B B Corporations: Building the vision and infrastructure to shape, support and scale the sustainable business economy," Sustainable Enterprise Conference (May 2011)
"Term Sheets and Convertible Notes - Structuring the Deal," Plug and Play Tech Center (November 2010, March 2011)
"Trade Secrets and Trademarks for Foreign Companies Doing Business in Silicon Valley," Plug and Play Tech Center (October 2010)
"Term Sheets and Structuring the Deal," Investors' Circle (November 2009)
"Power of Angel Investing," Investors' Circle (November 2009)
"How to Raise Money for Your Business," MoneyFest (November 2009)
"Implementing Sustainability Initiatives," San Francisco Chamber of Commerce (October 2009)
"Structuring Social Enterprises," Bay Area Hub (October 2009)
"Preparing Your Company for Investment," B Corporation West Coast Forum (September 2009)
"New Corporate Structures," Social Capital Markets (September 2009)
"Preserving Brand Equity When Acquiring a Sustainable Business," Sustainable Brands Conference (June 2009)
"Implementing Sustainability Initiatives," Sustainable Enterprise Conference (May 2009)
"Corporate Social Responsibility and Good Corporate Governance: Is There Room for Both?" Association of Corporate Counsel, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter (April 2008)
"Green Laws Affecting the Computer Industry Across 3 Continents," Storage Networking Industry Association
"Outsourcing/Offshoring – The Good, The Bad, The Reality," SofTECH General Meeting
"Digital Rights vs. Digital Restrictions," SofTECH General Meeting