SARAH MATTHEWS

95 Crossbrook
Amherst, MA 01002
(413) 374-6847
smbf070e@westpost.net
CORPORATE COUNSEL
Accomplished Attorney Skilled at Delivering Effective Legal Solutions
* Uniquely effective combination of legal expertise and business savvy, includin
g 15 years of experience in corporate legal departments and law firms, deliverin
g effective legal strategies that minimize risk while advancing clients' busines
s objectives.
* Versatile attorney with demonstrated success in a diverse range of practice ar
eas, from corporate formation, employment agreements, and legal compliance to tr
ansactions, commercial real estate, divestitures, and winding down of business o
perations.
* Strategic executive skilled at collaborating with executives, attorneys, busin
ess teams, and other key stakeholders to build consensus on business and legal t
actics.
* Strong leader who thrives under pressure, recognized for fostering motivated t
eams and known for working well with all levels of personnel and outside counsel
.
Areas of Expertise
- Business Strategies
- Corporate Governance
- Transactions
- Contracts
- Finance
- Labor & Employment
- Trademarks
- Copyrights
- Outside Counsel Management
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Negotiations
- Commercial Real Estate
- Residential Real Estate
- Regulatory Compliance
- Team Management
EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS
Qteros, Inc. - Marlborough, MA 2007-2010
Venture capital financed biotech company focused on delivering innovative techno
logies for clean transportation fuels - investors include Venrock Associates, Ba
ttery Ventures and BP Technology Ventures.
COUNSEL & CORPORATE SECRETARY
Strengthened mission-critical aspects of legal and corporate operations by overs
eeing commercial contracts, financing, and corporate practices. Facilitated grow
th of high-performance teams, deploying compliant employment policies and proced
ures. Aligned business practices with legal requirements as Corporate Secretary,
ensuring compliance with complex maze of business regulations and recordkeeping
requirements.
* Aggressively negotiated and secured favorable terms for high-stakes agreements
, including joint development, license, research, service, and other contracts.
* Cut legal costs through careful oversight of outside counsel and enforcement o
f legal budgets.
* Secured crucial $24 million Series B financing through astute management of ne
gotiations, documentation, and due diligence review.
Gravity Graphics, Inc. - New York, NY 1986-1998
Wholesale provider of garment-dyed apparel.
GENERAL COUNSEL
Established corporate entity and legal department from the ground up, positionin
g company for long-term success and ultimately profitable sale of operations. Ad
vanced business and legal goals by guiding business operations, securing favorab
le terms for equipment and other commercial contracts, and optimizing intellectu
al property protections for trademarks and copyrights. Responded to areas of gre
atest need, providing counsel full-time and part-time to best advance organizati
on's goals.
* Defined and deployed policies that protected company and limited exposure to r
isk, including comprehensive corporate governance programs and best practices fo
r recordkeeping.
* Excelled as General Counsel while holding concurrent role with Reynolds, Rappa
port & Kaplan; successes built on unwavering foundation of dedication and commit
ment to delivering results.
Reynolds, Rappaport & Kaplan LLP - Edgartown, MA 1991-1999
Legal experts in real estate law, municipal law, trust and estate planning, and
probate and estate law.
ASSOCIATE
Strengthened clients' legal strategies by directing sales and acquisitions, nego
tiating and enforcing commercial contracts, and establishing business entities.
Addressed bankruptcy issues related to real estate. Closed multimillion-dollar c
ommercial and residential real estate sales and leases, guiding all aspects of t
ransactions, financing, construction documents, easements, and legal filings.
* Established commercial lending practice for local bank; drafted all form lendi
ng documents and defined best practices to protect lender from undue risk.
* Subject matter expert sought out to address particularly challenging real esta
te matters, including complicated shared use agreements, association covenants,
view easements, and other complex issues.
* Commended for resolving complex issues for local governments and related entit
ies, including questions raised during four multimillion-dollar school construct
ion projects.
Additional Experience
Closed contracts and real estate deals for a diverse range of companies and clie
nts. Analyzed legal issues involving copyrights, trademarks, bankruptcy, and oth
er issues, and developed responsive legal strategies. Protected organizations fr
om undue risk, reduced exposure to potential liabilities, and prevailed in dispu
tes. Practiced part-time, including as an independent contractor for Reynolds,
Rappaport & Kaplan (1999-2007). Served as an Associate with Breed, Abbott & Mor
gan (1989-1991) (firm later acquired by Winston & Strawn) and with Barrett, Mont
gomery & Murphy (1986-1988).
EDUCATION
Juris Doctor - 1986
Georgetown University Law Center
Bachelor of Arts - 1981
with distinction
University of Michigan
BAR MEMBERSHIPS
Massachusetts State Bar | District of Columbia Bar