Jonathan previously led the corporate department at Hanson Bridgett and 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. He 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. Jonathan also represents many non-profit charities, foundations, and business associations.

Jonathan leads the firm’s Cannabis Law practice, and since California’s legalization of marijuana in 2018 has worked with cannabis companies and their investors in connection with business transactions, including formation, local and state licensing, finance, contracts, licenses, joint venture and development, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, e-commerce, technology-related matters and general corporate law. Jonathan recently represented cannabis companies in large financing and M&A transactions that include publicly traded companies from Canada.

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. See http://benefitcorp.net/ and  http://www.bcorporation.net for more information about benefit corporations. 

Bar Admissions

• California
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

Education
J.D., University of California, Los Angeles School of Law (1986)
B.A., University of North Carolina (1982)

Significant Accomplishments

Advised MM Acquisition Co in a California based asset sale to DionyMed Brands, Inc.

Represented Project Cannabis, a vertically integrated cannabis company, in $69,000,000 sale to a public Canadian company.

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.

$158,000,000 acquisition of Zep Solar by Solar City; counsel to the majority shareholder founder.

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; counsel to parent.

Venture capital financed acquisition of New Leaf Community Markets by New Seasons Market, the first B corporation to B corporation merger; counsel to target.

Acted as investment counsel to SJF Ventures, a high impact venture capital fund focused on resource efficiency, sustainability and technology-enhanced services sectors.

Oracle Team USA; acted as outside chief corporate counsel in connection with the 34th America's Cup.

Merger between Software AG, a German public company and Longjump, a software company focused on cloud, mobile, social collaboration and big data; counsel to target.

Sony Computer Entertainment; negotiated multi-million dollar commercial transaction with AT&T to bring 3G service to PlayStation portable gaming device; counsel to Sony.

Negotiated various multi-million dollar e-commerce, licensing, and media sponsorship transactions in connection with the 34th America's Cup; counsel to America's Cup Event Authority.

Negotiated and drafted complex, strategic, high-growth technology joint ventures with AT&T, Cisco, and Hewlett-Packard; counsel to joint venture technology company.

$175,000,000 New York Stock Exchange initial public offering and secondary offerings; counsel to issuer (NYSE: ARC).

$220,000,000 senior secured high yield debt offering; counsel to borrower.

Nine month negotiation with IRS for offer in compromise on tax settlement of 3.5 cents on the dollar for taxpayer.

Led the legal team for Hanson Bridgett's client, Project Cannabis, in a major $69 million acquisition deal by Columbia Care.

Professional Associations

• 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

Professional Activities and Experience
Accolades

• 19th on the MO 100 Top Impact CEO List (2022)
• Lawyers of Distinction (2021)
• Cannabis Law Report & Cannabis Law Journal, Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers (2020-2022)
• 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® 
• California Lawyer Magazine, California Lawyer of the Year (CLAY) Award (2012)
• Super Lawyers,  Business Law (2006–2008)
• American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, Fellow

• COVID-19 Legislation: New Paycheck Protection Program Loan Rules Allow Second Round Funding and Deductibility of Expenses Paid with Forgivable Loan Proceeds

  By Jonathan Storper |January 2021

• More Flexibility for PPP Loans Under New Legislation

  By Jonathan Storper |June 2020

• Shelter-in-Place Implications for Cannabis Dispensaries

  By Jonathan Storper |March 2020

Additional Articles"As More Opportunity Arises in the Cannabis Industry, Potential Business Pitfalls Also Increase," Cannabis Industry Journal (September 2022)
"What’s the Difference Between a B Corp and a Benefit Corporation?," SOCAP Global (April 2021)
"B Corp Makes Good Business Sense," Benefit Corporations Article (March 2021)
"COVID-19 Legislation: New Paycheck Protection Program Loan Rules Allow Second Round Funding and Deductibility of Expenses Paid with Forgivable Loan Proceeds," Business Disruption Strategies Law Alert (January 2021)
"More Flexibility for PPP Loans Under New Legislation," Business Disruption Strategies Law Alert (June 2020)
"Governor's Office Designates Cannabis an Essential Business," Cannabis Law Alert (March 2020)
"Shelter-in-Place Implications for Cannabis Dispensaries," Cannabis Law Alert (March 2020)
"Four Weeks to California Consumer Privacy Act: Are You Ready?," Corporate Law Alert (December 2019)
"2019 New California Laws Impacting Cannabis Businesses," Cannabis Law Alert (October 2019)
"Good Tax News for the Cannabis Industry: California Repeals 280E limitation for Personal Income Tax," Cannabis Law Alert (October 2019)
"Cannabis Public Event Sales: Licensing and Legal Considerations," Cannabis Business Executive (September 2019)
"California Supreme Court Potentially Slows Down the Expansion of the Legal Cannabis Market," Cannabis Law Alert (August 2019)

"Bureau of Cannabis Control Publishes New Distributor Fact Sheets," Cannabis Law Alert (August 2019)

"California Passes the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018," Corporate Law Alert (July 2018)
"Being A Public-Benefit Corporation In California, Delaware," Law360 (November 2017)
"The Reporting Requirements for California and Delaware For-Profit Benefit Corporations," Benefit Corporations Law Alert (September 2017)
"Hanson Bridgett Recertifies as B Corporation for Fifth Consecutive Term," Sustainable Business & Impact Investing Law Alert (June 2017)
"First For Profit Benefit Corporation Goes Public," Sustainable Business & Impact Investing Law Alert (February 2017)
"California Benefit Corporations on Fast Company's 20 Defining 'Moments that Matter' List," Sustainable Business & Impact Investing Law Alert (December 2015)
"Is Benefit Corporation Legislation Really Necessary?" Conscious Company Magazine (Fall 2015)
"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)
"Developments in Cyber Security and Privacy Law Continue to Affect Technology Companies," Technology Law Alert (July 2015)
"Delaware Makes It Easier to Become a Benefit Corporation," Benefit Corporations Law Alert (June 2015)
"B Corp vs. Benefit Corporation – Do You Know the Difference?" Conscious Company Magazine (Spring 2015)
"Meet the for-profit benefit," The Daily Journal (January 2015)
"Benefit Corporation Laws: Delaware vs. California," TriplePundit (January 2015)
"Venture Greenhouse 2.0 Now Accepting Applications!" Sustainable Business & Impact Investing Law Alert (May 2014)
"Benefit Corporations," California Lawyer (January 2014)
"New Legal Requirements For Website Privacy Policies Beginning January 1, 2014," Corporate Law Alert (October 2013)
"Benefit Corporation Laws: Del. vs. Calif.," Law360 (August 2013)
"Delaware Public Benefit Corporations Bring Social Purpose," Business Ethics Magazine (August 2013)
"Benefit Corporations – A Board Primer," Boardroom INSIDER (August 2013)
"New Corporate form in Delaware," Daily Journal (July 2013)
"Money from the Masses," Corporate Law Alert (July 2012)
"Will California businesses go to Patagonia?" North Bay Business Journal (February 2012)
"Benefit Corporation Legislation: A New Corporate Form for Impact Investors," Corporate Law Alert (April 2011)
"Greenwashing into the Red: The New Risks of Deceptive Environmental Marketing," Sustainable Life Media (August 2010)
"Climate Change: SEC Issues Guidance on Disclosure," Business Brief (March 2010)
"California Greenin': CBSA Creates New Building Requirements to Decrease Global Warming Emissions," The Registry (November 2008)
"Potential legal pitfalls to going 'green'," Sustainable Industries (November 2008)
"The Race to Go Green: Potential Legal Pitfalls," Business Brief (October 2008)
"E-Mail Requirements Altered by FTC's Final Rule of May 2008,"Technology & Intellectual Property Snapshots (July 2008)
"California's New Green Building Standards," Business Brief (Summer 2008)
"Sign on the Dotted Line," Technology & Intellectual Property Snapshots (2001)

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