Principia

Trust Principia Business Law to be your partner in growth and your trusted external general counsel, committed to protecting your interests and helping your business thrive. Principia means "principles" and this firm is named after Whitehead and Russell's Principia Mathematica, the seminal work in philosophy and mathematics that outlined the logical basis for mathematical functions. Principia Business Law's legal advice will be the logical foundation for your organization.

Bryson Davis

Managing Attorney

Bar Memberships

Oregon

Washington

Education

University of Washington School of Law, JD

Reed College, BA Philosophy

Organization Formation and Governance

Advised organizations on entity choice structure.
Formed subsidiaries to house specific assets and lines of business.
Represented company owners in the restructuring of a cannabis business.
Guided many new companies through formation and the drafting of operating agreements, articles of incorporation, bylaws, shareholders agreements, and other organizational documents for LLCs, corporations, and nonprofits.
Filed and maintained trademarks.
Protected clients’ intellectual property with confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements and trademark license agreements.

Commercial Transactions

Constructed Master Service Agreements with attached work orders for relationships with multiple transactions.
Drafted and Reviewed Software-as-a-Service contracts.
Created HIPPA-compliant Business Associate Agreements.
Crafted form contracts for regular commercial contracts.
Reviewed client vendor agreements.

Compliance and Advising

Represented companies and professionals through investigations by various state agencies.
Led a team of public relations professionals and attorneys through a large public relations emergency.
Successfully advocated for the dismissal of BOLI investigations for civil rights and whistleblowing claims.
Prepared employment agreements as well as termination and severance agreements.

Business Funding, Investing, and Securities

Advised clients on investments and related due diligence for securities purchases.
Facilitated the conversion of investor interests from common to preferred shares.
Advised startups on multi-million dollar and multi-stage funding rounds.
Corrected legal compliance issues related to previous company stock sale.
Advised clients on the termination of employee stock purchase rights and the repurchase of employee-owned shares.
Structured and reviewed secured and unsecured loans.

Business Purchases, Sales, and Break-ups

Represented clients in the purchases and sales of businesses in many different industries, including, among others, restaurants, construction, cannabis, HVAC services, and professional services.
Represented both the company and individual parties in shareholder disputes and buy-out negotiations.

Nonprofit-Specific Advice

Designed a governance structure for a nonprofit to maximize community participation.
Advised many nonprofits through achievement of tax-exempt status.
Counseled client boards regarding fiduciary duties.

Real Estate

Represented a real estate developer in the sale of a $90 million development.
Designed a unique governance structure for a co-housing development company.
Negotiated commercial leases for both landlords and tenants.
Represented tenants in resolution of lease disputes with landlords
Led clients through the process of protecting and renting investment real estate.

2024

Presenter, Greater Vancouver Chamber, "GVC Excellence for Nonprofit Leadership" (November 2024)
Presenter, Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, "Reparative Development" (September 2024)
Presenter, Williams & Russell CDC, "Reparative Development and Community Healing" (August 2024)
Author, Flossin Magazine, "Purchasing Success With Other People's Money" (August 2024)
Panelist, K&L Gates LLP, "Juneteenth Celebration" (June 2024)

2023

Author, Flossin Magazine, "The Basics to Forming Your Own Company" (June 2023)
Presenter, Soul District Business Association, “How to Use Your Attorney” (April 2023)
Presenter, Multnomah Bar Association, “Investment Deals and Investor Litigation” (March 2023)

2022

Presenter, Oregon State Bar Securities Regulation Section, “Investment Red Flags” (December 2022)

2021

Presenter, Oregon State Bar Securities Regulation Section, “Understanding Securities Liability Risks to Transactional Lawyers” (December 2021)
Regular Speaker at the Lee Hecht Harrison Portland Franchising Workshop (2019 – 2021)

2020

Presenter, Soul District Business Association, “Business Basics Series: Facts About the Eviction Moratorium” (October 2020)
Presenter, Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste, Inc., “Basic Business Legal Issues” (December 2020)
Presenter, Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, “Building your Practice: How to be a Successful Associate” (October 2020)
Presenter, Soul District Business Association, “Covid Clarity Series: Facts About the Eviction Moratorium” (October 2020)
Author, Daily Journal of Commerce: Oregon, “OP-ED: Considerations for landlords as light appears at the tunnel’s end” (May 2020)

Prior to 2020

Keynote Speaker, Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA) Banquet, “Experience with Diversity in the Practice of Law” (April 2019)
Moderator/Organizer, Opportunities for Law in Oregon Orientation, “Practice Area Spotlight” (August 2018)
Presenter, Opportunities for Law in Oregon Orientation, “Importance of Networking” (August 2017)
Moderator/Organizer, Oregon State Bar New Lawyers Division, “ONLD Writing Workshop” (June 2017)
Organizer, Portland City Club Business & Prosperity Forum, “How Businesses have Adjusted to Mandatory Requirements” (February 2017)
Moderator/Organizer, Portland City Club Business & Prosperity Forum, “Women in Sports” (April 2015)
Moderator/Organizer, Portland City Club Business & Prosperity Forum, “Benefit Companies” (February 2015)

Bryson regularly serves the wide-ranging legal needs of Oregon and Washington businesses and nonprofits across a variety of different industries. He advises and represents clients of all sizes across a broad range of issues from formation to sale. He often serves his clients as their external general counsel. With over a decade of experience, Bryson leads clients through matters involving business formation and governance, mergers and acquisitions, private placement securities offerings, real estate transactions, contract negotiations, agency investigations, and regulatory compliance.

Contribution to his community is a requirement for him. For that reason, Bryson volunteers to make his community more welcoming and more prosperous. He typically focuses his volunteer work with organizations that promote economic equality, business development, and education.