Tristan Snell
Founder *and* lawyer with founder-friendly rates
New York
NY
About
- Trump University -- led investigation at NY AG's office
- Foreclosure fraud -- also at NY AG, crafted settlement with Wells Fargo, Chase, and Bank of America, for fraud arising from the 2007-08 mortgage crisis
- Broadcom v. Qualcomm -- also at Wilmer, we won the largest patent litigation in US history at that time
- I've helped dozens of startups, founders, and small businesses with everything from corporate formation to major disputes to trademark, copyright, and patent… read more work
experience
Practice Areas
Client Reviews
"I first worked with Tristan when he helped me with a possible dispute issue; he spoke with me, reviewed the documents, and wrote a letter that immediately made the dispute disappear, saving me thousands of dollars. I then hired him for one of my businesses to help with agreements around intellectual property and employment. The work was well done and on a very favorable budget. We'll continue to rely on him going forward."
"Tristan was instrumental in untangling a complex legal dispute for us, resolving the dispute and allowing the company to move forward again. He then proved to be invaluable extension of the management team, advising on capital raise note structuring, contract negotiation and private label licensing, plus helping establish relationships with foreign partners and resellers."
Work History
Tribeca Legal Group
Managing Partner
Aug 2014 - Present
Represent clients in boutique practice covering corporate, transactional, fundraising, litigation, trademark, copyright, and patent matters, particularly in technology, finance, media, entertainment, and fashion.
Snakt, Inc.
CEO and General Counsel
Jun 2014 - Present
Created technology and media startup from the ground up, leading legal work, product development, business development, strategic vision, and fundraising. Built roster of 50 top social media stars with over 155 million followers, plus portfolio of 4 U.S. patents, and raised over $3M in angel financing. Profiled in Forbes, Entrepreneur, The Atlantic, The Verge, and Polygon.
New York State Office of the Attorney General
Assistant Attorney General
Oct 2011 - Jun 2014
Led major prosecutions of business fraud and false advertising, including investigation, litigation, and settlements (including Trump University prosecution, foreclosure fraud case against Chase et al.), as well as initiating and completing groundbreaking ecommerce initiatives (with Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, et al.).
United States Courts, Eastern District of New York
Law Clerk to the Hon. Eric N. Vitaliano
Sep 2010 - Sep 2011
Clerked for federal district court judge. Drafted and edited opinions, jury instructions; prepared memoranda for trials, oral arguments, suppression hearings, expert testimony, bench rulings; advised and participated in conferences and settlement negotiations.
WilmerHale
Senior Associate
May 2007 - Jan 2010
Specialized in patent, internet, and appellate litigation, plus startups. Led trial teams, led offensive discovery, handled all aspects of motion and briefing practice, took and defended depositions, handled expert witnesses. Worked on blockbuster Broadcom/Qualcomm patent litigation, landmark Boumediene habeas case, appellate victories before 5th and 7th Circuits.
Nutter McClennen
Associate
Oct 2003 - Mar 2007
Litigation associate covering cases involving medical devices, business insurance coverage, real estate and land use, and government regulation.