Overview

About Sean Hogle

Sean's law practice is focused primarily on technology ventures, such as software, wireless telecommunications, and Internet-related companies, as well as firms in the visual effects, concept art and emerging media space. Sean's seventeen years of diverse legal experience make him well-suited to act as a "virtual general counsel" to his venture clients, guiding such enterprises through the complex legal and regulatory environment of the United States and abroad--and in all stages of growth, from founding to IPO.

Having closed countless complex technology transactions with numerous Fortune 100 companies worldwide, Sean has become the consummate deal lawyer, bringing to the table an ability to negotiate business-critical deals with efficiency and skill. During extensive international assignments in Tokyo and Munich, Sean earned invaluable experience in overseas entity formation, cross-border mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances and international licensing. Because of his experience in managing US and European operations for a global software company, Sean is uniquely qualified to understand the practical challenges of running a business.

Sean began his legal career with a large law firm in Denver, Colorado, where he represented numerous high technology enterprises in mergers and acquisitions, business planning, technology licensing, and intellectual property management, counseling and enforcement. Sean additionally enjoyed an extensive state and federal litigation and arbitration practice.

Eventually, Sean moved in-house with Sun Microsystems, Inc., where he ultimately became Assistant General Counsel. In this role, Sean was responsible for software and technology licensing and alliances for Japan and the Asia-Pacific region, as an expatriate in Tokyo.

In 2001, Sean joined the wireless and consumer software venture Aplix Corporation, also based in Tokyo, as General Counsel and Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs. Sean facilitated the company's international growth and eventual IPO on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2003. In addition to his General Counsel role, Sean managed, as President and Chief Operating Officer, the company's United States and European subsidiaries in San Francisco and Munich, from 2004 to 2006.

Sean is based in the firm's San Rafael, California office, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Practice Areas
Professional Experience
ExperienceYears
Manager and Founder, Sean Hogle PC2006-Current
General Counsel, Aplix Corporation2002-2006
Assistant General Counsel, Sun Microsystems, Inc.1998-2001
Associate Attorney, Moye White1995-1998
Judicial Law Clerk, US District Court1993-1995
Education
SchoolFocusDegreeYear
Marshall-Wythe School of Law - College of William and MaryLawJ.D (1993)1993
Honors: Order of the Coif, Ranked 2nd out of 179
Activities: Staff Editor, William and Mary Law Review
James Madison UniversityFinance (Political Science and Economics minors)B.A (1990)1990
Honors: Magna Cum Laude
Professional Affiliations
PositionYears
Member, American Bar Association2007-Current
Member, California State Bar2006-Current
Member, International Technology Law Association1996-Current
Member, Colorado State Bar1995-Current
Member, American Intellectual Property Law Association1995-Current
Member, Virginia State Bar1993-Current

Publications

Publications
TitlePublisherPublished
Conditions vs. Covenants: California Rulings Threaten the Practical Enforceability of Open Source LicensesComputer & Internet LawyerSeptember, 2008
Unauthorized Derivative Source CodeComputer & Internet LawyerMay, 2001
The Employee as Investor: The Case for Universal Application of the Federal Securities Laws to Employee Stock Ownership PlansWilliam and Mary Law ReviewMay, 1992

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