Duffield Law, P.C.

Clara Duffield

Principal

Duffield Law, P.C.

Contact Information

773-301-3180, clara@duffieldlawpc.com


Biography

Clara Duffield is a solo practitioner with in-house and large firm experience including:

OUTSIDE GENERAL COUNSEL. Clara acts as outside general counsel for a range of businesses, offering thoughtful, business-savvy, and tailored advice.

CONTRACTS. Clara negotiates a broad range of general corporate and vendor contracts.

TECHNOLOGY. Clara represents both vendors and customers in SaaS, cloud, hardware, software, privacy, and professional services transactions.

START-UPS. Clara advises start-up clients on every aspect of establishing new businesses, including initial structuring, engaging vendors, bringing in investors, and providing equity compensation to employees, consultants, and advisors.

PRIVACY. Clara manages every aspect of privacy and cybersecurity, from both a regulatory compliance and intellectual property protection perspective, including drafting and updating internal and external policies, and negotiating third-party contracts and agreements.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE. From simple corporate leases to complex multi-property financings, Clara handles all types of commercial real estate transactions.

CORPORATE STRUCTURING. Clara works with clients and their third-party advisors to create appropriate and uniquely tailored corporate structures, and to modify and adjust those structures as necessary to accommodate growth.

COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS. Clara handles mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and many other similar matters.

AUDITS. Clara assists clients in managing every aspect of vendor and exchange audits.

DATA AND RESEARCH. Clara negotiates data and research contracts of every type, ranging from large exchanges and standard research to small, non-traditional data companies and bespoke studies.

EXCHANGE RELATIONSHIPS. From adding new exchange memberships to updating existing contracts, Clara establishes and maintains client relationships with worldwide exchanges.

ELECTRONIC TRADING. Whether developing and negotiating form electronic trading contracts for platform operators, or representing trading participants, Clara's electronic trading experience extends worldwide across all asset classes, programs, and structures.

ALPHA CAPTURE. Clara establishes and manages proprietary alpha capture platforms, and advises regarding third-party platforms.


Areas of Law and Practice

Areas of Law Areas of Practice
Advertising and Marketing Advertising Law, Direct Marketing, False Advertising, International Marketing, Marketing Law, Multi-Level Marketing, Outdoor Advertising, Promotion Law, Sponsorship Law, Telemarketing Fraud, Telemarketing Law
Business Law Business Arbitration, Business Associations Law, Business Cooperatives, Business Development, Business Dissolutions, Business Enterprises, Business Estate Planning, Business Formation, Business Organization, Business Planning, Business Regulation, Business Reorganization, Business Start-Ups, Business Succession Planning, Business Successions, Business Syndication, Business Taxation, Business Torts, Business Transactions, Business Transfers, Business Trusts, Business Valuation, Buy-Sell Agreements, Buying and Selling of Businesses, Closely Held Business Estate Planning, Closely Held Business Law, Closely Held Business Taxation, Cooperative Taxation, Emerging Business Law, Emerging Growth Companies, Entrepreneurial Business Law, Family Business Law, Family Business Mediation, Family Business Successions, International Business Law, International Joint Ventures, Joint Ventures, Limited Liability Company Law, Minority Business Law, Pass-Through Entities, Private Business Law, Privatization, Professional Practices, Small Business Law, Sole Proprietorships, Strategic Alliances, Trade and Professional Associations, Trade Association Law
Commercial Law Commercial Transactions, Commercial Transfers, International Commercial Law, International Sale of Goods, Negotiable Instruments, Retail Liability, Sale of Goods, Secured Transactions, Uniform Commercial Code, Warehousing
Commercial Real Estate Commercial Conveyancing, Commercial Real Estate Acquisitions, Commercial Real Estate Bankruptcy, Commercial Real Estate Contracts, Commercial Real Estate Development, Commercial Real Estate Finance, Commercial Real Estate Foreclosure, Commercial Real Estate Litigation, Commercial Real Estate Sales, Commercial Real Estate Syndication, Commercial Real Estate Workouts, Industrial Real Estate Law, Retail Development, Shopping Center Acquisitions, Shopping Center Development, Shopping Center Law
Communications and Media Communications Finance, Communications Law, Digital Communications, International Communications Law, International Telecommunications Law, Telecommunications Competition, Telecommunications Contracts, Telecommunications Finance, Telecommunications Leasing, Telecommunications Licensing, Wireless Communications
Computers and Software Computer Contracts, Computer Law, Computer Security, Computer Software Law, Computer Technology, Data Protection, Information Technology, Information Technology Contracts, Information Technology Licensing, International Computer Law, Software Copyright, Software Licensing, Software Protection, Software Publishing Technology
Construction Law Architectural Law, Construction and Design Law, Construction and Surety Law, Construction Contracts, Construction Finance, Construction Insurance, Contractor Performance Bonds, Environmental Construction Law, International Construction Contracts, International Construction Law, Materialmens Liens, Mechanics Liens
Contracts Contract Drafting, Commercial Contracts, Contract Fraud, International Commercial Contracts, International Contracts
Copyrights Copyright Licensing, Copyright Protection, International Copyright Law, Internet Copyright Law
Equipment Finance and Leasing Equipment Finance, Equipment Leasing, Vehicle Leasing
Finance Asset Based Finance, Asset Sales, Commercial Finance, Credit Enhancement, Cross Border Finance, Debt and Equity Finance, Debt Finance, Equity Finance, Eurobonds, Factoring Law, Finance Taxation, Financial Institution Bonds, Financial Institution Failures, Financial Institution Regulation, Financial Institution Reorganization, Financial Institutions Law, Financial Institutions Litigation, Financial Institutions Taxation, Financial Restructuring, International Commercial Finance, International Finance, Precious Metals Finance, Private Finance, Secured Finance, Securitization, Structured Finance, Unsecured Finance
Housing Law Apartment Projects, Housing Development, Housing Finance, Low Income Housing, Multi-Family Housing, Senior Citizen Housing, Subsidized Housing
Intellectual Property Artistic Property, Brand Management, Chemical Intellectual Property, Electrical Intellectual Property, Electronic Intellectual Property, Industrial Models and Designs, Industrial Property, Industrial Property Rights, Intellectual Property Enforcement, Intellectual Property Infringement, Intellectual Property Licensing, Intellectual Property Litigation, Intellectual Property Portfolio Management, Intellectual Property Procurement, Intellectual Property Prosecution, Intellectual Property Rights, International Intellectual Property, International Licensing, Internet Intellectual Property, Literary Property, Mechanical Intellectual Property, Medical Intellectual Property, Merchandising, New Media Law, Pharmaceutical Intellectual Property, Piracy, Proprietary Rights, Protection of Personality
Internet Law Content Licensing, Cybersquatting, Digital Signatures, Domain Names, E-Commerce, E-Commerce Taxation, Electronic Security, Internet Insurance, Internet Licensing, Web Site Development
Investment Law Asia-Pacific Investment, Capital Markets, Consumer Financial Services, Cross Border Investment, Derivative Products, Emerging Markets, Financial Services Law, Financial Services Regulation, Foreign Investment, Foreign Investment in the United States, Hedge Funds, Institutional Investment Law, International Capital Markets, International Investment, International Venture Capital, Investment Banking Law, Investment Company Law, Investment Fraud, Investment in Eastern Europe, Investment in Latin America, Investment in Russia, Investment Management, Investment Partnerships, Investment Regulation, Mezzanine Finance, Mutual Funds, Political Risk Insurance, Private Equity, Syndication, Trust Investment, Venture Capital
Leases and Leasing Commercial Landlord and Tenant Law, Commercial Leasing, Industrial Leasing, International Leasing, Landlord and Tenant Law, Lease Finance, Lease Terminations, Leasing, Leveraged Leasing, Office Leasing, Rent Control, Retail Leasing, Shopping Center Leasing, Unlawful Detainer
Mortgage Law Commercial Mortgages, Mortgage Banking Law, Mortgage Bankruptcy, Mortgage Finance, Mortgage Insurance, Mortgage Refinancing, Mortgage Securitization, Mortgage Tax, Mortgage Workouts, Secondary Mortgage Market
Partnership Law Family Limited Partnerships, Family Partnerships, Limited Liability Partnerships, Limited Partnerships, Partnership Dissolution, Partnership Formation, Partnership Organization, Partnership Syndication, Partnership Taxation
Privacy Law Information and Privacy, Privacy and Publicity, Right of Privacy, Right of Publicity
Property Law International Property Law, Personal Property, Personal Property Leasing
Real Estate Adverse Possession, Boundary Disputes, Common Interest Community Law, Community Association Law, Condominium Association Law, Condominium Conversions, Condominium Development, Condominium Law, Condominium Timeshares, Conservation Easements, Conveyancing, Cooperative Housing Association Law, Cooperative Conversions, Cooperative Housing Law, Easements, Historic Conservation Easements, Homeowners Association Law, International Real Estate, Land Acquisitions, Land Sales, Land Trusts, Manufactured Housing Law, Mixed Use Development, Mobile Home Law, Planned Unit Development Law, Property Management, Quiet Title, Real Estate Acquisitions, Real Estate Arbitration, Real Estate Banking Law, Real Estate Bankruptcy, Real Estate Brokerage Law, Real Estate Brokers and Agents Liability, Real Estate Brokers Licensing, Real Estate Brokers Malpractice, Real Estate Brokers Malpractice Defense, Real Estate Collections, Real Estate Contracts, Real Estate Development, Real Estate Errors and Omissions, Real Estate Exchanges, Real Estate Finance, Real Estate Foreclosure, Real Estate Fraud, Real Estate Investment, Real Estate Investment Taxation, Real Estate Investment Trusts, Real Estate Joint Ventures, Real Estate Leasing, Real Estate Partnerships, Real Estate Restructuring, Real Estate Sales, Real Estate Secured Lending, Real Estate Securities, Real Estate Settlements, Real Estate Syndication, Real Estate Tax Appeals, Real Estate Tax Assessment, Real Estate Tax Liens, Real Estate Taxation, Real Estate Title, Real Estate Title Examination, Real Estate Title Insurance, Real Estate Trade Association Law, Real Estate Valuation, Real Estate Workouts, Real Property, Real Property Acquisitions, Real Property Development, Real Property Finance, Residential Real Estate, Residential Real Estate Acquisitions, Residential Real Estate Development, Residential Real Estate Finance, Residential Real Estate Sales, Right of Way Easements, Waterfront Development
Resorts and Leisure Amusement Park Liability, Country Club Law, Golf Course Development, Health Club Law, Hospitality Law, Hotel and Resort Development, Hotel and Resort Law, Hotel Franchise Law, Hotel Liability, Hotel Security, Innkeeper Law, International Hotels and Resorts, Marina Liability, Private Club Law, Recreational Law, Recreational Property Law, Resort Timeshares, Restaurant Law, Restaurant Liability, Ski Area Liability, Travel and Tourism, Water Park Safety
Securities Law Bank Securities, Blue Sky Law, Broker-Dealer Registration, Broker-Dealer Regulation, Government Securities, Initial Public Offerings, Insider Trading, International Securities, Mortgage Backed Securities, Private Placement, Private Placement Syndication, Securities Disclosure, Securities Finance, Securities Offerings, Securities Registration, Securities Regulation, Shareholder Agreements, Shareholder Rights, Shareholders Law, Tax Exempt Securities
Technology and Science Aerospace Technology, Agrochemicals, Chemistry, Coatings Technology, Electronics, Explosives Technology, Fiber Optics, High Technology, High Technology Contracts, Inorganic Chemistry, International High Technology, Internet Technology, Laser Technology, Life Sciences, Materials Science, Medical Technology, Nanotechnology, Organic Chemistry, Petroleum Chemistry, Physics, Polymers, Semiconductor Technology, Technical Litigation, Technology Contracts, Technology Finance, Technology Joint Ventures, Technology Law, Technology Licensing, Technology Protection, Technology Transfers

Jurisdictions

  • Federal
  • Illinois

Employment History

  • Owner | Duffield Law, P.C.

    2017 -

    • Acts as outside general counsel, including providing general legal advice, managing legal spend, and overseeing external counsel relationships, and provides overflow support to in-house legal departments with respect to vendor and customer relationships, technology, privacy, data security, regulatory compliance, and a wide variety of other transactional matters.
    • Negotiates and finalizes technology contracts, website and platform terms, data and research agreements, electronic trading agreements, alpha capture platform agreements, consulting agreements, non-disclosure agreements, SaaS, software, and hardware agreements, software distribution agreements, professional services agreements, loan documents, and other vendor and corporate contracts.
    • Counsels clients regarding a wide range of transactional matters, including start-up fundraising, corporate formation and structuring, intellectual property, data security, technology, data management and privacy, customer and vendor relationships, and other business matters.

  • In-House IP, Technology, Data, Research, and Vendor Counsel | Citadel

    2010 - 2017

    • Lead internal and external attorney team in finalizing technology contracts, software licenses, SaaS and cloud contracts, vendor agreements, market data agreements, consulting agreements, research agreements, non-disclosure agreements, electronic trading agreements, market making agreements, master services agreements, colocation agreements, outsourcing agreements, employment agreements, loan documents, and many other types of contracts.
    • Supervised outside counsel in licensing and other intellectual property matters, privacy, data security, trademark portfolio management, leasing and real estate transactions, commercial agreements, and general transactional projects, including patent prosecution, internal corporate structuring, and vendor contract management.
    • Supported a wide variety of businesses, including front-office proprietary trading, client-facing investment management, registered broker-dealer, software and information technology services and sales, real estate and lending, and human resources, procurement, and other back-office functions.

  • Real Estate and Hospitality Attorney | Baker & McKenzie

    2004 - 2010

    • Negotiated and drafted legal documents, including financing documents, letters, of intent, purchase and sale agreements, joint venture agreements, organizational documents, hotel management agreements, technical services agreements, legal opinions, letters of credit, mortgages, loan agreements, construction contracts, and leases.
    • Managed client relationships, including client interaction during all stages of transactions and managed due diligence for transactions, including the oversight of multiple associates and paralegals.
    • Coordinated with domestic and foreign local counsel for multi-state and international transactions.
    • Acted as de facto in house counsel on behalf of business clients, including overseeing litigation and settling disputes, negotiating and finalizing employment and confidentiality agreements, separation agreements, settlement agreements, brokerage arrangements, easements, leasing transactions, and construction agreements, and advising clients regarding a variety of legal and business matters.
    • Specialized in transactions relating to hotels, resorts, and tourism, including the purchase, sale and financing of hotel properties and the negotiation of hotel management agreements.


Education

  • J.D. | University of Chicago

    1999 - 2002


Attorney Rating and Feedback


Publications and Presentations

No Publications


  • TYPICAL HOURLY RATE: $300
    TYPICAL FIXED FEE: --
    TYPICAL CONTINGENCY FEE: --
  • Glencoe, Illinois, Cook County

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