Brian Ross
Attorney at Law
California
CA
About
Brian was an associate at Baker & Hostetler LLP and Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP, and then served as in-house lead counsel for three high-tech companies (with two acquisitions by Fortune 100 companies).
As a co-founder and partner of Ross Legal, Brian now advises emerging, fast-moving companies in the Internet, technology, cannabis, apparel and other industries.
experience
Practice Areas
Client Reviews
""At EdgeCast, I watched Brian take a small start-up of less than 100 employees with only outside general counsel and guide it into a stable company of over 300 employees that was eventually sold to Verizon. As VP General Counsel, Brian established processes for contract review and negotiations that are still followed today. He always took the time to answer my questions in a thoughtful, straight-forward manner that allowed me to make effective business decisions. It was a both a great learning experience and a pleasure to work with Brian." Jessica Lee, SA - Start-up and Business Transformation"
""Brian has a thorough understanding of the law. His strong work ethic and ability to quickly analyze the legal ramifications of any situation make him a valuable asset to any company". Steve Sands, CPA, CFO Burstly, Inc. and Social Project, Inc."
Work History
Ross Legal Corporation, Inc.
Partner
Jun 2016 - Present
Providing outside legal and business counsel to emerging companies in the technology (Internet, SaaS/PaaS, software), cannabis, consumer products, new media and other emerging verticals. Focus on commercial transactions, corporate matters, compliance and risk management, IP protection and licensing, and privacy matters.
Verizon
Divisional Vice President & General Counsel
Dec 2013 - Jun 2016
Responsible for legal for EdgeCast CDN, UpLynk online video platform and related properties. Provided strategic and tactical advice to executive and management teams.• Coordinated telco regulatory compliance efforts in US, EU/EEA, EMEA and LATAM. Advised and negotiated commercial agreements with customers, resellers, strategic partners, vendors and service providers in 75+ countries.
EdgeCast Networks, Inc.
General Counsel and Secretary
Dec 2010 - Dec 2013
Responsible for legal at this leading, global content delivery network, from mid-stage startup through Verizon acquisition. Built in-house legal dept. Coordinated global regulatory compliance. Managed outside counsel. Managed claims and disputes, collections, labor and employment, subpoenas, law enforcement matters, content policies, IP management, corporate governance, financings and acquisition.
MTV Networks
VP Business & Legal Affairs, Global Digital Media
Sep 2008 - Dec 2010
Responsible for Viacom subsidiaries including Social Project (social media), Xfire, Inc. (online gaming), and other digital media licensing and IP matters. Negotiated strategic partnerships, licensing, vendor, marketing, advertising and offshore development contracts. Compliance, website policies, content policies, IP management, litigation and corporate matters.
TagWorld, Inc.
General Counsel and Secretary
Dec 2005 - Sep 2008
Responsible for all legal affairs at this online social-networking and content promotion company, from early-stage startup through acquisition by Viacom. Negotiated customer, partner, consulting and vendor agreements. Compliance, online policies, content policies, website/product audits, IP management, labor and employment. Advised and managed outside counsel.
Allied Sun Technologies
General Counsel
Feb 2005 - Dec 2005
Responsible for legal and business affairs at this solar energy company, which provided photovoltaic power systems for commercial, residential and agricultural applications. Handled legal, compliance, strategic and political matters. Negotiated customer, reseller, partner, contractor and vendor contracts in the US and abroad. Handled litigation, business development and marketing.
Mitchell Silberberg
Senior Associate
Feb 2001 - Feb 2005
Litigated IP infringement and anti-piracy matters, entertainment and other commercial disputes. Co-chaired successful trademark infringement trial. Prosecuted claims for music companies and motion picture studios in copyright infringement actions against Napster, Grokster (up to US Supreme Court). Defended claims for music, entertainment, tech clients involving sampling, theft, breach, piracy.
BakerHostetler
Associate
Nov 1999 - Feb 2001
Litigated and advised on matters involving IP infringement, counterfeiting, unfair competition, breach of contract, domain theft, cyber-smearing, hacking and other emerging online issues.
Negotiated commercial agreements including content distribution, e-commerce, software licensing, private labeling, marketing, advertising, affinity and referral programs, and others.
Ruben & Jones LLP
Associate
Dec 1997 - Nov 1999
Litigated business and commercial, intellectual property and professional negligence matters. Prepared and successfully argued motions regarding injunctions, summary judgments, protective orders, discovery disputes, writs and others. Conducted mediations, depositions and trial preparation and assisted with business development.