Located Two Blocks From The Transamerica Building

Jonathan T. Rodriguez
Shareholder

Credentials Admissions

  • California
  • New York
  • U.S. District Court (N.D. CA)
  • U.S. District Court (E.D. CA)
  • U.S. District Court (N.D. NY)

Memberships and Affiliations

  • City and County of San Francisco’s Code Advisory Committee (responsible for the oversight and development of local building code)
  • Chair of the Administrative and General Design & Disability Access Subcommittee to CAC
  • Member Green Building Subcommittee to CAC
  • American Bar Association, Forum on the Construction Industry, Public Contract Law Section
  • San Francisco Bar Association, Litigation Section
  • Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco, Board Member
  • St. Thomas More Society of San Francisco

Mr. Rodriguez has established a highly regarded litigation and commercial transactions practice representing businesses. Licensed to practice law for over 25 years in California and New York, Mr. Rodriguez specializes in commercial claims and dispute resolution. Mr. Rodriguez advises and counsels in construction law, including preparation of all construction-related documents, enforcement and defense of claims, and counseling, enforcement and defense of contractor licensing issues; business disputes, including dissolution and valuation of owner buy-out; commercial contracts, including enforcing contractual provisions such as intellectual property rights; disability rights, including the enforcement and defense of Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related California Title 24 access and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) claims; and landlord rights, including defense against tenant claims. Mr. Rodriguez earned a B.S. from The Ohio State University in 1986, and was admitted into the elite officer training program at Key Corp in Albany New York. Mr. Rodriguez ran his own branch office before heading west to attend Whittier, where he soon became Chairman of the Moot Court Board and President of the Trial Lawyer team. His career soon found him at an international law firm, where he was asked to join the construction trial team after witnessing his cross-examination of an expert in a multi-million dollar large construction case in San Francisco involving dozens of law firms. Jon prides himself in being the trusted advisor and zealous advocate — with strategic business understanding — to ensure that he exceeds each client’s expectations.

Representative Matters

  • Advised and prepared transactional documentation for leasing, financing, development, and construction of 17-unit luxury ground-up condominium project in San Francisco.
  • Prepared construction documents for casino and hotel development in Lake Tahoe, California.
  • Litigated California’s largest dollar value disgorgement claim under Contractors State Licensing Board licensing.
  • Obtained multiple regulatory variances from the State of California regarding commercial construction products.
  • Represented one of the nation’s largest REITs in obtaining regulatory approvals for the construction of over 40,000 square feet of coastal bluff protection from the California Coastal Commission; separately litigated and defended commercial claims between commercial apartment building owners.
  • Represented private owner of San Francisco mansion regarding construction claims against general contractor.
  • Litigated on behalf of oil refinery client against commercial claims by prime contractor.
  • Represented national specialty engineering design firm against extra work, delay, efficiency, and construction claims regarding a 260,000 sq. ft. science and cleanroom laboratory.
  • Litigated commercial claims against owner of large condominium project.
  • Represented national design firm in preparation of construction contracts and documents for national retailer.
  • Represented international design firm regarding intellectual property, privacy and employment matters.
  • Represented developer in preparation of design and construction contracts for LEED commercial building.
  • Represented general contractor in preparation of construction contract documents for commercial renovation of a 22-story downtown San Francisco office building.
  • Represented international building equipment manufacturer in successful bid protest for a large public project.
  • Defended class action litigation for national building component manufacturer and defeated class certification.
  • Prepared construction contract documents for oil and gas pipeline construction.
  • Represented owner in Americans with Disabilities litigation involving high-rise residential building.
  • Represented international building equipment manufacturer in local government matters and commission hearings related to building code and American with Disabilities Act issues.

Presentations and Publications

  • Author, “California Construction Laws and Customs,” Practical Law, 2016.
  • Author, “Mechanic’s Lien Runs Supreme in the Battle of a Project Default? Not for a Waiving General,” Sedgwick’s Construction Newsletter, October 2014.
  • Author, “Have a Game Plan Before Waiving a Mechanic’s Lien Priority,” Law360 (November 11, 2014).
  • Author, “Managing the Challenges of Climate Change Regulation for the Built Environment,” Inside the Minds: The Legal Impact of Climate Change, Aspatore Books, Thompson Reuters Publishing (March 2010).
  • Author, “Appealing A LEED Certification,” Modern Contractor Solutions • (February 2009).
  • Author, “Green Building — California and the Bay Area’s Leadership Role,” Building the Bay (February 2009).
  • Speaker, “The Role of The Construction Claim Consultant and Expert,” KPMG Annual Retreat (April 2008).
  • Speaker, “Risk and Opportunities of Building Green,” Green California Summit and Exposition (April 2008).
  • Speaker, “10 Reasons Why Contractors Fail — Contractors’ Ten Mistakes and How to Avoid Them,” Third and Fourth Annual Pacific Safety Expo, Construction Industry Training and Trade Show (March 2007, 2008).
  • Author, “Getting Another Bite at the Apple,” California Real Estate Journal (June 2008).
  • Author, “Contractors’ Top Ten Mistakes and How to Avoid Them,” California Real Estate Journal (October 2007).
  • Speaker, “Allocating Construction Project Risks, The Use of Insurance and Bonds on Construction Projects,” client group meeting.
Kathryn A. Surso
Shareholder

Admissions

  • California
  • Illinois

Memberships and Affiliations

  • International Association of Privacy Professionals
  • San Francisco Bar Association
  • American Bar Association

Kathryn concentrates her practice on providing experienced legal support for technology transactions, commercial and privacy law. Focused on practical and cost-effective solutions, Kathryn’s wide-ranging experience since leaving Big Law includes both in-house counsel and outside consultant providing advice to companies ranging in size from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Having co-founded several technology companies she brings a unique perspective.  Highlights of Kathryn’s experience includes:

  • 20 years of commercial, technology transactions and outsourcing experience across healthcare, social media, advertising, ride-sharing, technology, and retail sectors;
  • 13 years’ combined in-house experience at technology companies; Emerge.MD/Avizia (now Amwell), Thomson Reuters (Findlaw), in addition to years of “general counsel” services for many start-ups too small for a full time in-house attorney;
  • Subject matter expertise in technology transactions regarding privacy, cybersecurity, copyright, international outsourcing projects and strategic commercial contracts.

Kathryn has represented numerous early stage start-ups, helping them with formation, operations, general corporate, fundraising, tuning business models, management of outside counsel, forming partnerships and distribution channels, and bringing products to market. 

Kathryn earned her B.A. in History and English, summa cum laude from Hillsdale College and obtained her J.D. from The University of Toledo College of Law on a full merit scholarship.

Jennifer Sanders

Admissions

  • California

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Women in AI Governance
  • Intellectual Property Professionals
  • Digital Media Lawyers
  • Association of Corporate Counsel – San Francisco Bay Area Chapter (former Executive Board Member, IP Group Lead)
  • Bar Association of San Francisco (Privacy and IP Sections)

Jennifer is an experienced commercial, transactional, and technology attorney who provides strategic, cost-effective legal support for commercial and technology transactions, data privacy and security, intellectual property, and go-to-market strategy. She also serves as outside general counsel to companies seeking on-demand senior-level legal guidance without the cost or commitment of a full-time in-house lawyer.  Jennifer’s value is rooted in a unique blend of Big Law discipline, in-house experience, and business pragmatism.    

After starting her legal career at a global Big Law firm, Jennifer transitioned “in-house” to more closely support the business, and has held senior roles at and advised technology, media, and other companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 to VC-backed start-ups.   Known for her innovative problem-solving and sound business judgment, Jennifer partners closely with executives, founders, and technical teams to help them scale responsibly and navigate complex legal landscapes.

Jennifer’s practice spans a wide range of technology and commercial matters, including: 

Technology & Commercial Transactions – SaaS, hosted and cloud services, inbound/outbound licensing, data license agreements, open-source licensing, partnerships, services, etc.; 

Privacy & Data Governance – compliance with global privacy laws (CCPA, GDPR, etc.), cybersecurity, data governance programs and vendor due diligence;

Artificial Intelligence (AI) – AI contracting, responsible AI policies, and governance frameworks;

Product Counsel/Go-to-Market – regulatory compliance, licensing, and commercial terms and templates for current and emerging technologies;

Intellectual Property – IP ownership, licensing, open-source governance, and brand protection;

Strategic Alliances & Commercial Partnerships – data licensing, ad-tech, and platform integrations;

Marketing / Social Media Campaigns – platform terms, claims substantiation; and

Fractional General Counsel Services – senior-level support for growing companies without in-house legal teams.

Jennifer’s experience includes in-house, consulting, and outside counsel roles across diverse companies, including:

20+ years of commercial and technology transactions (Oracle, BEA Systems, Viacom/Nickelodeon, LinkedIn);

10+ years as Product Counsel /Go-To-Market (including primary Product Attorney for Accenture’s proprietary offerings in Finance, Network, and Supply Chain verticals);

20+ Privacy / Data/ Regulatory (IBM, Weather Company, Accenture, Viacom/Nickelodeon).

Jennifer obtained her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley – School of Law (1994) where she was also an Associate Editor of the Ecology Law Quarterly, and her B.A. from California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO)