These are my upcoming presentations (all times are Phoenix):
2026 PROGRAMS
Vantage IRA – HOW TO INVEST IN PRIVATE COMPANIES
January 6th | 9-10 am | Virtual [Click Here To Register]
Small businesses are a big part of the engine which drives the U.S. economy and that engine runs on capital investment. During the early stages of a private company’s lifecycle, that capital typically comes from angel investors who are willing to bear high risk for potentially high rewards.
Topics for this complimentary seminar include:
• Risks and rewards of private company investments
• Locating investment opportunities
• Analyzing prospective deals
• Negotiating favorable investment terms
• Protecting your investment
• The investor’s role post-closing
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S&W Emerging Business Program – How to Attract, Motivate, and Retain Employees in 2026
January 7th | 9-10 am | Virtual [Click Here To Register]
It’s not easy being an employee these days.
Economic challenges — such as inflation, weakening demand, supply chain issues, and the rise of artificial intelligence — are triggering layoffs, salary cuts, and benefit reductions in virtually every industry. Even those who have not been personally affected must contend with an uncertain economic future and the fear and stress that such uncertainty breeds. It is little wonder that employee morale is at an all-time low. Business owners may know that low employee morale translates into deteriorating productivity and, ultimately, reduced revenue.
But what can today’s business owner do to re-energize their team while protecting the company’s long-term value? And how can those businesses looking to hire attract and motivate new talent?
So, what must an entrepreneur or business owner do to successfully navigate the process?
Topics for this complimentary seminar will include:
- What different generations of employees want in 2026
- Preserving culture in a hybrid work-from-home model
- Creating job security with employment agreements
- Proper use of performance bonuses
- Giving employees “ownership” without giving up equity – phantom stock and liquidity bonuses
- Making employees owners – stock options and restricted stock
- Ownership without the tax bill – the LLC profits interest
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SCORE – FOUNDATIONAL LEGAL STRUCTURES: CHOOSING THE RIGHT FORM OF ENTITY
January 20th | 4 – 5 pm | Virtual [Registration Link To Come]
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SCORE – THE LEGAL ROADMAP TO LAUNCHING YOUR BUSINESS
January 22nd | 4 -5:30 pm | Virtual [Click Here To Register]
Starting a business is exciting—but the legal decisions you make early on can determine your long-term success. This workshop is designed to help entrepreneurs navigate the essential legal steps required to launch a business the right way and avoid costly missteps down the road.
Join Snell & Wilmer partner Brian J. Burt as he shares practical insights drawn from decades of advising entrepreneurs and from his own experience as a business owner. You’ll gain a clear understanding of the legal foundations every startup needs in place before opening its doors or raising capital.
In this session, you’ll learn:
- How to structure your business to protect your personal assets
- Key differences between legal entities and how to choose the right one
- What to consider before bringing on partners or investors
- Essential agreements every new business should have
- Legal basics of branding and protecting your business identity
- How to build a strong advisory team to support growth
Whether you’re still in the idea phase or preparing to formally launch, this workshop will provide a clear legal framework to help you move forward with confidence and clarity.
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WBC Law and Owner – HOW TO START A NEW BUSINESS
January 27th | 12-1 pm | VIRTUAL [Registration Link To Come]
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Vantage IRA – HOW TO RAISE CAPITAL…LEGALLY
February 3rd | 9-10 am | Virtual [Click Here To Register]
To start or expand a business, you need capital. Raising capital, however, is one of the most difficult challenges that a company can undertake. In the current economy, investors at all levels have become increasingly risk adverse, resulting in even greater competition for their limited investment dollars. And heightened regulatory scrutiny by the SEC means that compliance with securities laws has never been more important.
So, what must an entrepreneur or business owner do to successfully navigate the process?
Snell & Wilmer partner Brian J. Burt will discuss raising capital legally.
Topics for this complimentary seminar will include:
- Determining a company’s capital requirements
- Identifying those who can satisfy those requirements
- Defining the terms of the equity offering
- Understanding what it means to have investors
- Complying with federal and state securities laws
- Avoiding common pitfalls
- Strategies for increasing a company’s chance of success
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SCORE – SAFEGUARDING YOUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: PROTECTING YOUR BRANDS AND INVENTIONS
February 10th | 11 am – 12 pm | Virtual [Registration Link To Come]
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SCORE – HOW TO BUY A BUSINESS
February 19th | 4 -5:30 pm | Virtual [Registration Link To Come]
You always wanted to run, but not start, your own business. Or perhaps you have an existing business, but are looking to accelerate your growth with a strategic acquisition.
How do you go about identifying and evaluating quality acquisition targets? What should your initial offer contain? How do you negotiate and then document the transaction both to protect your business interests and to reduce legal liability? What can you do to increase your chances of closing the deal?
Topics for this complimentary seminar will include:
- Defining your personal objectives
- Identifying acquisition targets
- Performing due diligence
- Selecting the transaction structure
- Understanding key tax considerations
- Negotiating the deal
- Drafting the transaction documents
- Creating and working with your deal team
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WBC Law and Owner Series – HOW TO PREPARE YOUR COMPANY FOR SALE (AND MAXIMIZE SALE PRICE)
February 24th | 10-11 am | VIRTUAL [Registration Link To Come]
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SCORE – HOW TO MONETIZE YOUR INVENTION
March 11th | 4 – 5 pm | Virtual [Registration Link To Come]
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SCORE – HOW TO RAISE CAPITAL…LEGALLY
March 19th | 3-4:30 pm | Virtual [Registration Link To Come]
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WBC Law and Owner Series – HOW TO SELL YOUR BUSINESS
March 24th | 5-6 pm | VIRTUAL [Registration Link To Come]
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SCORE – HOW TO MONETIZE YOUR INVENTION
April 16th | 3-4:30 pm | Virtual [Registration Link To Come]
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SCORE – Topic To Be Announced
April 21st | 11 am – 12 pm | Virtual [Registration Link To Come]
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SCORE – HOW (AND) WHY TO CREATE A CORPORATE SUCCESSION PLAN
May 14th | 3-4:30pm | Virtual [Registration Link To Come]
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SCORE – HOW TO SELL YOUR BUSINESS
June 18th | 11 am – 12 pm | Virtual [Registration Link To Come]
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SCORE – HOW TO NEGOTIATE AND PREPARE CONTRACTS
July 16th | 3-4:30pm | Virtual [Registration Link To Come]
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SCORE – HOW TO HIRE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS
August 13th | 3-4:30pm | Virtual [Registration Link To Come]
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SCORE – HOW (AND WHY) TO CREATE A SHAREHOLDERS/OPERATING AGREEMENT
September 17th | 3-4:30pm | Virtual [Registration Link To Come]
Brian J. Burt 