Shane Parker

Shane Parker is an associate attorney who works out of our Phoenix office in the firm’s Business & Finance practice group. His work focuses on transactional work, providing comprehensive counsel to corporations, small businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals in matters including drafting and negotiating a wide range of transactional documents for the sales of products, services, assets, and membership interests. He also has experience in the formation of companies and small businesses beginning at the inception phase for clients and investors in the commercial real estate and construction industries.

With a background in journalism – telling stories – as well as psychology, Shane has always been fascinated with interpersonal relationships. As a business lawyer, he relishes the opportunity to become an integral part of people’s lives; often bringing their vision to life from the conceptual phase to the formation and flourishing of individual and company success stories. This in turn leads to long-term relationships where clients remain loyal, and businesses are transferred from one generation to the next. Shane’s past experience in litigation provides him with knowledge on how deals fall apart, which aids him in knowing how to put a deal together.

Outside of work, Shane enjoys staying active through sports and outdoor activities including hiking and mountain biking. He also enjoys playing guitar, piano, and bass. Fluent in Spanish, he also volunteers for organizations using his translation abilities, and he likes to continually travel and experience other cultures.

EDUCATION

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

ADMISSIONS

Renato Smith-Bornfreedom

Renato, co-chair of Barclay Damon's Data Security & Technology Practice Area, focuses his practice on counseling clients in the areas of data privacy, cybersecurity, intellectual property, and commercial transactions. Renato applies his engineering background and grasp of technology to help bring clarity and practical solutions to complex interplays between technology and law. Leveraging his experience as a registered patent attorney and a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US)[1], Renato assists companies and entrepreneurs with contracts; licensing; privacy and cybersecurity policies and programs; complex business transactions; dispute resolution; intellectual property strategies; and patent, trademark, and copyright applications. He has counseled clients in a wide array of industries, including health care, financial services, education, software-as-a-service (SaaS), gaming, telecommunications, and electric power utility. Stemming from his passion for innovation, Renato finds joy in guiding clients in the research, development, and prelaunch stages with respect to regulatory compliance and risk mitigation. Notably, Renato performs design reviews to help clients identify design changes to better align their offerings with applicable laws and legal strategies relating to privacy, data security, automated decision-making, intellectual property, and advertising.
For online and offline transactions, Renato counsels clients and drafts and negotiates numerous types of contracts, including website and online terms of use, privacy policies, privacy notices, cookie policies, accessibility policies, platform services agreements (PSAs), SaaS agreements, end user license agreements (EULAs), service level agreements (SLAs), data protection agreements (DPAs), mobile app license agreements, master services agreements (MSAs), master license agreements (MLAs), sponsored research agreements (SRAs), and material transfer agreements as well as agreements involving confidentiality; patent, trademark, and copyright licensing; collaboration; joint development, technology transfers; asset purchases; sponsored research; software; the use and marketing of artificial intelligence (AI) tools; product development; manufacturing; distribution; brand development; and copyright releases.
In addition, Renato counsels clients in highly regulated sectors, including financial services, with respect to their privacy and data practices, including the development and implementation of written information security programs (WISPs), incident response plans (IRPs), and other data-related policies and procedures. In this area, Renato addresses compliance with an array of privacy laws, data security laws, and AI-related laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and other state laws focused on comprehensive consumer privacy, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act (GLBA), the New York State Department of Financial Services Cybersecurity Requirements for Financial Services Companies (DFS Cybersecurity Regulation), the US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the US Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Renato has conducted dispute resolution and contract negotiations in the United States and abroad, including in Australia, Europe, and Taiwan, drafting settlement, termination, and amendment agreements involving infringement and breach of contract disputes. In connection with infringement disputes, Renato has performed analyses related to intellectual property infringement, design-around, and invalidity strategies. Renato has also assisted clients with responding to music license demands from performing rights organizations, and Renato has submitted complaints to social media platforms, resulting in the takedown of infringing content.
Additionally, Renato has drafted and prosecuted hundreds of patent applications for inventions in the software, electrical, and mechanical industries that include software-based solutions, mobile apps, medical devices, surgical systems, telecommunication devices, antennas, electronic gaming devices and systems, vehicles, power equipment and machinery, computer hardware, and consumer appliances. In addition to his own practice, Renato serves as DEI advisor to Barclay Damon’s Summer Associate Program.
[1] The Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US) certificate, issued by the International Association of Privacy Professionals, is not a requirement to practice law in Illinois. The Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law.

Rodney Davis

Rodney Davis is an attorney in Birmingham, Alabama. His areas of practice include personal injury, estate planning and probate. A native of Hillsboro, Alabama, Rodney discovered that he had a love for research, writing, and interacting with others on a daily basis as a child. When it came to choosing a career, Rodney sought to find a way to combine these skills with the one thing he is most passionate about—helping others. Thus, he set out to pursue a dream of becoming an attorney, and he has not stopped helping people since. Mr. Davis graduated from Thomas Goode Jones School of Law where he served as Communicator of the Christian Legal Society, Senior Editor of the Faulkner Law Review and member of various other organizations including the Faulkner Law Board of Advocates. While a student, Davis became a Jones Public Interest Fellow in the Jones Public Interest Society and was awarded the Ellen Brooks Merit Award. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Davis graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, and was a Senior Staff Sports Writer for the Kaleidoscope Newspaper. Outside of work he enjoys fishing, golfing and music. Mr. Davis is admitted to practice in all Alabama state courts and federal courts. Bar Admissions and Membership Birmingham Bar Association Alabama State Bar United States District Court for Northern District of Alabama United States District Court for Middle District of Alabama United States District Court for Southern District of Alabama United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Ronald Freeman, Sr.

Ronald J. Freeman, Sr. graduated with high honors from Morehouse College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in 1982. He attended Georgia State University College of Law where he received his Juris Doctor as a Regents Opportunity Scholar. Attorney Freeman’s primary focus is in the area of contracts, dispute resolution and business and construction related litigation matters involving the public and private sectors. He serves as general counsel to a number of businesses which frequently encounter employment, facility management and construction related issues. Attorney Freeman’s appointments include Chief Judge, Cities of Riverdale, Union City and Forest Park. He is a member of the Council of Municipal Court Judges; American Bar Association (Construction Law Section); Association of Trial Lawyers of America; State Bar of Georgia, Atlanta Bar Association (Construction Law Section and Managing Partners Committee); National Bar Association; Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Gate City Bar Association (Past President) Faculty Member, Institute of Continuing Judicial Education. Attorney Freeman practices in the Corporate & Business Litigation and Governmental Law Groups. Community Involvement – American Bar Association – Trial Lawyers of America – National Bar Association – Atlanta Bar Association – Georgia Trial Lawyers Association – Former President of Gate City Bar Association – Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys – Georgia Council of Municipal Court Judges – Georgia State University Foundation Board – Georgia State University College of Law, Board of Visitors – The Young Family YMCA, Board of Directors – Tiger Soccer Club, Founder and Chairman, Board of Directors – National Morehouse Alumni Association Lifetime Member – Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Lifetime Member – Faculty Member, Institute of Continuing Judicial Education Awards & Honors – Who’s Who in Business, “Business Litigator by US Magazine” (2019) – Georgia Peer Review, “Top Business Lawyer in Georgia” (2018) – National BLSA 50th Anniversary Celebration, “Legacy Award” (2018) – American Law Society, “Top 1% of Lawyers in the World” (2018) – Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, “Top 1% of Lawyers in the World” (2016 – Present) – Recipient of the “Clarence C. Cooper Legacy Award” GCBA Judicial Section (2015) – Induction into the “Top 100 Black Lawyers in America” (2014 – Present) – BLSA Chapter Renaming at Georgia State University-College of Law (2014) – 50th Annual Distinguished Alumni Award, Georgia State University (2013) – Who’s Who in Practicing Attorneys in America (1990 – 2017) – Metro Atlanta YMCA “Volunteer of the Year” (2011) – Public Interest Law Association at Georgia State University College of Law “SOAR Award” (2011) – Georgia Secretary of State “Outstanding Citizen of the Year” (2009) – Morehouse College Division of Business Administration “Executive Mentor Award” (2009) – Boy Scouts of America “Boy Scout Service Award” (2008) – Atlanta Law & Politics Magazine “Top Business Lawyers in the State of Georgia” (2008-2017) – “Georgia Super Lawyer” (2004 – 2008) – Black Law Student Association of Georgia State University College of Law “Alumni Career Achievement Award” (2007) – Hoosier Memorial United Methodist Church “Man of the Year” (2007) – GCBA Judicial Section “Excellence in Law Award” (2007) – Morehouse College National Alumni Association “Life Membership Award” (2007)

Karl Thurmond

Mr. Thurmond specializes in business litigation and business law. He is a 1982 graduate of Dartmouth College and a 1985 graduate of Harvard Law School. While at Harvard Law, he was honored with the Ames Moot Court Prize based upon the performance of a team he captained and received the Williston Prize for Best Overall Contract. Awards Named to the Judicial Appointments Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association in 2012-2013. Recipient of Special Commendation Award from El Pollo Loco, Inc. for Contributions to Success of El Pollo Loco, 2010. Named "Southern California Super Lawyer" in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012 by Los Angeles Magazine, which is a designation given to the top five percent of lawyers in Southern California. Certified Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which is limited to attorneys who have won million dollar verdicts, awards and settlements, 2005-present. Named to McDonald's Corporation's list of Preferred Outside Franchise Counsel, 2003-present. Panelist: the National Employment Law Council Conference, 2001. Panelist: Labor and Employment Law Symposium of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the State Bar of California, Spring and Fall, 1995. Practice Areas Litigation: Prosecuted and defended a broad variety of complex business litigation, including disputes involving the Unfair Business Practices Act, The Consumer Legal Remedies Act, unfair competition, real estate, securities, insurance coverage, corporate and partnership law, franchise law, trade secrets, products liability, construction law, employment, sexual harassment and wrongful termination. Corporate: Advised clients on the purchase and leasing of real estate, purchase and sale of businesses, general corporate matters and employment matters. Trial Experience Primary trial attorney for client in a lawsuit against a major insurance carrier, which resulted in a verdict in excess of $9 million. Primary trial attorney for national franchisor involving a nationwide recall of commercial blenders, which resulted in a jury verdict in favor of client for breach of warranty and negligent misrepresentation. Primary trial attorney in defense of major franchisor in trial involving sexual harassment and retaliation claims, in which the jury returned verdict for only nominal damages. Primary trial attorney in a binding arbitration for national third-party marketing firm against a prominent investment management firm involving a dispute over the payment of commissions, in which client was awarded multi six-figures and recovered the majority of its legal fees. Co-counsel in a complex product liability jury trial, which resulted in a directed verdict and one of the largest sanctions awards in the State of California against the plaintiff, its insurance carrier and its counsel. General Litigation Experience Represent international manufacturer in defense of construction case involving in excess of $180 million in liability. Represent community development bank in defense of lawsuit by City of Los Angeles seeking in excess of $11 million in damages. Obtained multi-million dollar settlement for a manufacturing company in a patent infringement dispute. Obtained multi-million dollar settlement against an insurance carrier involving damage to a Canadian manufacturing plant. Advised national marketing firm in prosecution and defense of federal court dispute with money manager involving in excess of $5 million in damages. Resolved $2 million adulterated product claim by former employee against client without litigation for five figures. Handled prosecution and defense of litigation involving the purchase of securities in a national time-share condominium company, in which client recovered nearly $1 million based upon its cross-claims. Obtained multi-million dollar settlement against a leading publicly traded investor education company in a lawsuit based on breach of contract, conversion, accounting and constructive trust claims. Represented international franchisor in lawsuit against a leading paint manufacturer, which resulted in a seven-figure settlement. Obtained dismissal without payment of money for construction firm in a case involving seven-figure liability for negligent construction of a luxury estate. Obtained seven-figure settlement against a national investment banking firm in the prosecution of a managing director's employment and breach of contract claims. Successfully handled an appeal which confirmed summary judgment in favor of national franchisor in a multi-million dollar dispute over the sale of a manufacturing plant and alleged breach of a co-packing agreement, and resulted in the published opinion of Copeland v. Baskin-Robbins USA. et al., (2002) 96 Ca1.App.4th 1251. Class Action Defense Obtained dismissal without payment of money for national franchisor in class action involving seven-figure liability for the illegal sale of gift certificates with expiration dates. Resolved class action for national franchisor involving seven-figure liability for the illegal sale of gift certificates with expiration dates under the Unfair Business Practices Act and the Consumer Legal Remedies Act for five figures. Resolved class action for franchisor involving seven-figure liability under the Unfair Business Practices Act involving the purported illegal taxing of iced tea for five figures. Obtained dismissal without payment of money for franchisor in class action under the Unfair Business Practices Act based upon the unauthorized enforcement of parking regulations. Obtained dismissal without payment of money for franchisor in class action brought under the Unfair Business Practices Act alleging, among other things, violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Community Involvement Member of the Board of Directors of Temple Emanuel, 2009-present. President of the Board of Regents of Temple Emanuel Academy Day School, 2009 - 2011. General Counsel and a member of Board of Directors of Watts/Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club, 2001 - 2006. Vice Chairperson of the Class of 1985 20th Reunion Gift Committee for The Harvard Law School Campaign, 2004 - 2005. Appointed by California State Senate to the Structural Pest Control Board of the State of California, 2000 - 2004. Practice Areas Business Litigation Appeals Education A.B., Dartmouth College, 1982 J.D., Harvard Law School, 1985 Bar Admissions California