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Ben Straughan is a partner in the firm's Emerging Companies & Venture Capital practice and serves as the co-chair of the NewSpace industry group. He assists high-growth technology, venture-backed, and emerging and early-stage companies in industries that include software and software as a service (SaaS), mobile, gaming, and interactive entertainment, e-commerce, media companies, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), and technology transfer spinouts. Ben advises companies in angel and venture capital and other financial transactions, board matters, and mergers and acquisitions. Ben brings an exceptional skill set as a corporate attorney who began his legal career advising clients on tax matters.
Ben is a regular speaker on emerging companies, financing, and mergers and acquisitions. He is an advisory board member for the University of Washington’s Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship, a board member for the Plymouth Housing Group, and the former board chair of the Northwest Entrepreneur Network (NWEN).
Prior to joining the firm, Ben was an associate at the Skadden law firm in Washington, D.C., and had a career as a certified public accountant (CPA) before going to law school.
Professional Recognition
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2017 – 2024
- Named a Greater Seattle Technology Ecosystem “Top Corporate Lawyer,” iLnnovate Leadership Network, Study & Entrepreneur’s Guide, 2017
- J. Shan Mullin Annual Community Leadership and Service Award, Perkins Coie, 2022
- Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell
(AV®, BV® and CV® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.)
Professional Leadership
- Washington State Bar Association (WSBA), Executive Committee of the Business Law Section, Immediate Past Chair, 2011 – 2012, Chair, 2010 – 2011; Chair, 2009 Mid-Year Meeting; Secretary, 2007 – 2008
- WSBA, Partnership/LLC Law Committee of the Business Law Section, Member
Community Involvement
- University of Washington, Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship, Advisory Board Member
- Northwest Entrepreneur Network (NWEN), Chair of the Board, 2008 – 2009; Board Member, 2007 – 2010; Co-Chair, Breakfast Committee, 2009 – 2010, Co-Chair, Entrepreneur University Steering Committee, 2006
- The IndUS Entrepreneurs (TiE) Seattle, Board of Advisors, 2006 – 2007
Related Employment
- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, Washington D.C., Associate
- Martin/Grambush, Kirkland, WA, Staff Accountant
