DUNAWAY BUSINESS LAW

State Bar Licenses: 

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California and Arizona

Education:
 

Santa Clara University School of Law, J.D. 
University of California Davis, B.A., Psychology


Professional:

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DUNAWAY LAW GROUP –  Founder of this Phoenix business law practice serving technology companies, investment groups, growth businesses and non-profits.1996 to present.



PILLSBURY WINTHROP – One of the nation’s oldest and largest law firms.  Resident in the Silicon Valley, California office.  1992-1995.



HOLTZMANN WISE & SHEPARD - New York City-based law firm.  Merger with the Palo Alto, California office.  1990-1992.



REMER REMER & DUNAWAY - Co-founder in this Mountain View, California, law firm specializing in software and technology law.  1982-1990.



​Business/Management Experience:
 

PILLSBURY WINE COMPANY, LLC - Co-founder/Counsel of cult Arizona winery.

CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST - Co-founder/General Counsel of new 4 year, residential campus university in formation in Phoenix, Arizona.

MONTEREY INSTITUTE FOR TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION – Director/Counsel for 501(c)(3) non-profit leader in Open Educational Resources field and online learning courseware.

OPPORTUNITY THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOUNDATION – Director/Co-founder/Counsel for 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to teaching entrepreneurship skills to at-risk youth and adult populations. 

DB PROPERTIES, LLC. – Co-owner and general counsel of family real estate development and construction firm in Eureka, California.  

FLUHRER BAKERIES, INC. - President/CEO 1989-1990. Was largest commercial bakery in California north of San Francisco. Positioned company for acquisition and sold company to international investment group in 1990.

AUTOMOTIVE MOTORSPORTS FOUNDATION – 1988-1994.  President/Co-founder of this non-profit corporation dedicated to preserving Arizona’s and the nation’s automotive historical heritage.

Voted one of Phoenix’s Top 12 Business Advisers in Phoenix New Times Readers’ Poll, 2001.



​​Academic:


Program Lecturer, Kaufmann Foundation “Fast-Trac Entrepreneurship Program”.  2004-present.



Semester Course Lecturer, "LEGAL PROTECTION OF SOFTWARE," Santa Clara University School of Law.  1985.

Visiting Lecturer, "TECHNOLOGY LICENSING,” Stanford University Business School.  1991.



Visiting Lecturer, “COPYRIGHT PROTECTION OF SOFTWARE," Peninsula Law School.  1985.



Board Advisor, Computer and High Technology Law Journal, Santa Clara University School of Law.  1984-2004.

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Rob Dunaway is one of the most experienced business attorneys in Arizona, and over the past several decades has helped thousands of companies of all sizes to succeed.  From his start in the Silicon Valley, counseling technology companies like Sun Microsystems and Tandem Computers, to his 17 years in Arizona guiding hundreds of startup ventures – including over 50 merger & acquisition transactions and over 400 private investor fundings --  Rob is able to offer an unmatched depth of entrepreneurial legal experience to his clients.



Rob’s Phoenix business law practice specializes in helping companies of all types build a solid foundation and grow into a thriving business.  Whether that company is a sole proprietor working out of his garage, or a large team in need of venture capital financing, Rob brings a creative, deal-making mindset to legal issues at a fraction of the rates charged by large firms.



“As a former CEO myself, and a member of the board of directors for many companies, I understand the challenges facing new and growing businesses, especially their need to keep a sharp eye on their bottom line,” Rob said.  “My experience allows me to steer my clients around the many pitfalls that can derail a promising young company, and show them the most direct route to achieving their business goals.”



To support entrepreneurs in their efforts, Rob is a co-founder and director of the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation, a non-profit that teaches entrepreneurship skills and produces the annual Arizona Entrepreneur’s Conference.  He also has been named one of Phoenix’s Top 12 Business Advisors in a poll conducted by the Phoenix New Times.



From Technology to Unique Start Ups



Soon after earning his law degree, Rob jumped into the exciting new world of computer technology by co-founding the first boutique software law firm in the Silicon Valley.  Rob and his firm took part in many noteworthy events such as the sale of the first PC word processor to IBM and precedent-setting copyright infringement cases.

Within a few years, one of the nation’s leading technology firms (now Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman) enticed Rob to join their Technology Group, and soon he was representing both startups and public companies such as Sun Microsystems, Tandem Computers, Diamond Multimedia, S3 and many others.  

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He became a leading authority in software law, lecturing in technology law at Santa Clara University Law School and Stanford University Business School, as well as co-authoring several books, including The Silicon Valley Guide from Microsoft Press, one of the first books on how to grow and manage a startup technology company.



A move to Arizona in 1996 allowed him to launch a new practice and focus to what he feels he does best: mentoring new young companies.  “I enjoy working with companies of all sizes, but there is an extra enjoyment in working with entrepreneurs,” Rob said.  “The energy level, fast pace and smart management teams make the practice of law exciting.”



Rob’s expertise is focused on general corporate, contract and intellectual property law, with an emphasis on corporate and LLC formation, technology licensing and other technology-related contracts such as consulting, OEM, distribution and development agreements; venture capital and other private investor financings; mergers and acquisitions; protection of intellectual property; and internet law.   (For more on Rob’s areas of expertise, click here.)



While technology and internet companies still seek out Rob because of his extensive industry expertise, his passion continues to be making dreams come true for startups in many different industries. 

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Current clients include social media companies, software companies, technology consulting companies, health care products companies, real estate development companies, a yoga clothing company, online retail stores, a fabric design company, women’s lingerie company, daycare center, scientific experiment software company, insurance broker, and investment companies, among many others.



In addition to his many pro bono ventures into the non-profit world, Rob is a cycling enthusiast, participating in 100 mile bike races several times year.   He also enjoys restoring classic automobiles, history, computers, food, chocolate and wine.  His interest in fine wines is so great, in fact, that he co-founded a winery.  He is married with three children.  



Find more on how Rob can help you and your business.  



You may contact Rob at dunawaylegal@gmail.com, or call for a free consultation at 602-468-5751.