Justin Garfinkle is a member of the Technology and Intellectual Property section of the firm’s Corporate and Business Counseling Practice Group. He focuses his practice on intellectual property, technology, and complex commercial transactions, including licensing, cybersecurity, data privacy, mergers and acquisitions, investments, financings, trademark prosecution and enforcement, and a wide array of commercial arrangements.

Justin also has experience advising clients on artificial intelligence, software, fintech, sports, data, consumer goods, media, and telecommunications. He has counseled clients on music catalog acquisitions, AI investments, and transactions involving emerging companies and technologies.

Justin obtained his Bachelor of Science in Economics from Duke University, where he graduated magna cum laude, and his J.D. from Stanford Law School.

Representative Transactions

• Drafted and successfully negotiated various commercial and licensing arrangements on behalf of a public apparel company in connection with the sale of certain of its brands.
• Negotiated the acquisition of a global architecture and design firm specializing in sports and entertainment venues on behalf of a leading private equity investor.
• Advised a premier luxury lifestyle and fitness brand group on the comprehensive refinancing of its capital structure.
• Counseled a wine producer on the divestiture of several wineries.
• Advised a special purpose acquisition company on its proposed business combination with a transportation and technology company focused on realizing the hyperloop.
• Negotiated the carve-out acquisition of a fraud prevention and payment security platform by a private equity firm from a global financial services company.
• Advised a national retail pharmacy chain in securing debtor-in-possession financing in connection with its Chapter 11 proceedings.
• Counseled an electric aerospace startup in a Series C financing led by global institutional investors.
• Advised a music investment platform in the acquisition of music rights from various top-charting artists.
• Counseled a global music distribution company in its acquisition of an independent music services provider.
• Represented a growth equity investor in its investment in a real-time data platform for enterprise applications.
• Represented a venture investor in its Series C minority investment in an AI chip and photonics company focused on powering next-generation artificial intelligence applications.

Honors & Recognitions

Gerald Gunther Prize for Outstanding Performance in Contracts and in Taxation I

John Hart Ely Prize for Outstanding Performance in The Business & Law of Technology & Patent Licensing   

National Merit Scholar

News

Professional Affiliations

Illinois Bar Association

Community

Co-Founder of Stanford’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Law Project

Co-President of Stanford Intellectual Property Association

Symposium Chair of Stanford Technology Law Review

President of Duke Economic Student Union

Duke Student Board Member for Moogfest Music and Technology Festival