Ryenne Shaw

With almost fifteen years of experience practicing law, I currently act as outside general counsel advising small businesses and startups on issues related to business structure, compliance, contracts, employment, general liability exposure, and intellectual property. I have extensive experience negotiating and drafting a broad range of contracts such as employment, non-disclosure/non-solicitation/non-compete, independent contractor, commercial lease and licensing agreements, amongst other contracts. I frequently review, negotiate and draft agreements of all types across a broad range of industries. I have extensive experience representing small to mid-sized businesses in commercial lease negotiations. I am also highly experienced in complex civil and commercial litigation, which allows me to provide a unique perspective within the realm of contracts. I have experience in employment litigation (primarily on the management side) and have assisted in the successful resolution of claims such as Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA and wage and hour class action lawsuits, amongst others. I have drafted successful motions for summary judgment and responses thereto, along with appellate briefs and other complex motions, at both the State and Federal level. I’ve also prosecuted and defended civil actions before administrative agencies such as the Chicago Commission on Human Rights, the Chicago Police Board, the Illinois Human Rights Commission, and the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Additionally, I have served as second chair on several trials in both State and Federal Court. Working in my capacity as Outside General Counsel, I currently assist small business owners and startups in creating employer-employee infrastructures to ensure business compliance with employment and labor laws, including preparation of policies and procedures, employee handbooks and employment agreements. I spend much of my time providing training and resources to management and staff regarding best practices in hiring, day-to-day management, and termination practices. I handle trademark applications from pre-filing to registration, as well as trademark litigation. I have substantial experience preparing trademark applications, responding to USPTO Office Actions, and securing successful trademark registrations. I frequently review, negotiate and draft Asset Purchase Agreements of all types across a broad range of industries. In my prior positions, I worked directly with in-house attorneys to counsel corporate and municipal clients regarding compliance and risk assessment matters as well as litigation strategy and defense. I assisted in the cost-effective implementation of new policies for compliance purposes and drafted employee contracts and handbooks in accordance with local, State, and Federal law. This allowed me to gain invaluable experience in legal research and writing and to hone those skills. Additionally, I managed my own heavy caseload with minimal supervision, which greatly improved my multi-tasking abilities. My prior positions strengthened my interpersonal and communication skills and my ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently. I also learned to delegate efficiently and refined my organizational and time-management skills during my time working for an international AmLaw 100 law firm, which allowed me to excel in such a fast-paced environment.

With almost fifteen years of experience practicing law, I currently act as outside general counsel advising small businesses and startups on issues related to business structure, compliance, contracts, employment, general liability exposure, and intellectual property. I have extensive experience negotiating and drafting a broad range of contracts such as employment, non-disclosure/non-solicitation/non-compete, independent contractor, commercial lease and licensing agreements, amongst other contracts. I frequently review, negotiate and draft agreements of all types across a broad range of industries. I have extensive experience representing small to mid-sized businesses in commercial lease negotiations. I am also highly experienced in complex civil and commercial litigation, which allows me to provide a unique perspective within the realm of contracts. I have experience in employment litigation (primarily on the management side) and have assisted in the successful resolution of claims such as Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA and wage and hour class action lawsuits, amongst others. I have drafted successful motions for summary judgment and responses thereto, along with appellate briefs and other complex motions, at both the State and Federal level. I’ve also prosecuted and defended civil actions before administrative agencies such as the Chicago Commission on Human Rights, the Chicago Police Board, the Illinois Human Rights Commission, and the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Additionally, I have served as second chair on several trials in both State and Federal Court. Working in my capacity as Outside General Counsel, I currently assist small business owners and startups in creating employer-employee infrastructures to ensure business compliance with employment and labor laws, including preparation of policies and procedures, employee handbooks and employment agreements. I spend much of my time providing training and resources to management and staff regarding best practices in hiring, day-to-day management, and termination practices. I handle trademark applications from pre-filing to registration, as well as trademark litigation. I have substantial experience preparing trademark applications, responding to USPTO Office Actions, and securing successful trademark registrations. I frequently review, negotiate and draft Asset Purchase Agreements of all types across a broad range of industries. In my prior positions, I worked directly with in-house attorneys to counsel corporate and municipal clients regarding compliance and risk assessment matters as well as litigation strategy and defense. I assisted in the cost-effective implementation of new policies for compliance purposes and drafted employee contracts and handbooks in accordance with local, State, and Federal law. This allowed me to gain invaluable experience in legal research and writing and to hone those skills. Additionally, I managed my own heavy caseload with minimal supervision, which greatly improved my multi-tasking abilities. My prior positions strengthened my interpersonal and communication skills and my ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently. I also learned to delegate efficiently and refined my organizational and time-management skills during my time working for an international AmLaw 100 law firm, which allowed me to excel in such a fast-paced environment.