J. D. Bridges blends his large law firm and in-house legal backgrounds with broad business, commercial and technology counsel expertise to provide unique and valuable support and perspective to JRW ESQ clients.
J. D. Bridges has worked both in-house and in firms and has seen countless commercial agreements and technology deals from every angle. J. D.’s worked as in-house counsel for high-growth, VC-backed startups, IT solutions providers and cybersecurity companies and also at an AmLaw Top 50 global firm, representing clients in a variety of industries and purchasers and creators of technology across the globe. He’s negotiated commercial contracts with some of the world’s largest financial services and pharmaceutical companies, as well as assisting startups from incorporation to exit. He’s also helped Fortune 100 companies protect themselves and their data when procuring technology from startups and legacy technology providers alike.
J. D. brings a practical and growth-focused mindset to legal advice and excels in working with front-line sales organizations and sales leadership as well as internal counsel, business owners and procurement professionals. Whether a pre-seed AI startup, established manufacturer or a global IT procurement effort, J. D. can support you while concurrently growing and protecting your business.
Industry experience: SaaS (pre-seed through Series C and later as well as growth-stage/PE-backed), medtech (pre-seed through Series C and later), valued-added information technology reseller, cybersecurity, managed technology services, grocery distribution, data analytics, chemicals, manufacturing, advertising, private equity and non-profits.
Commercial experience: Manufacturing/Supply Agreements, Product Sales Agreements, Hardware Resale Agreements, Master Services Agreements, End-User License Agreements, Software Licenses, Intellectual Property Licensing Agreements, Partnership Agreements, Distribution Agreements, Contract Manufacturing Agreements, Staffing Agreements and click-through terms and conditions.
International experience: Transactions and agreements across more than two dozen countries.
Commercial negotiations experience: Direct lead in all aspects of negotiations for software and technology companies selling into highly-regulated industries; experience with sales strategies, contracting and procurement navigation and closing high-stakes commercial deals in numerous industries. Experienced in optimizing and streamlining sales and contracting processes across corporate divisions and national borders.
Author and speaker on cybersecurity and data privacy issues; CIPP/US.
Negotiating multi-year commercial contracts with Top 5 global banks for cutting-edge AI technology.
Leading corporate conversion for Series C medtech startup.
Drafting numerous Master Agreements for SaaS providers, IT solutions providers and global hardware providers.
Leading due diligence on for $200M IT health technology firm acquisition.
Representing a conveyor belt manufacturer in commercial negotiations with world’s largest warehouse operator.
Assisting global chemical company in cross-border corporate re-organization.
Negotiating multi-year commercial contract for data analytics firm with Top 5 global pharma company.
Instituting new contracting processes for various global clients in adtech/branding, IT solutions, and more; reducing sales cycle times and decreasing risk.
Spearheading global privacy compliance program for national IT solutions provider.
Providing data security and privacy review for numerous multi-million dollar corporate transactions.
Representing a Fortune 200 grocery distributor in its technology procurement.
Providing IP protection counsel for global technology testing company.
Drafting Transition Services Agreements and IP-related documentation for numerous 9-figure corporate transactions.
Education
Temple University Beasley School of Law, J.D., 2012
Haverford College, B.A., 2002
Bar Admissions
Ohio, 2018
“Boards Under Fire” - published in ACC Docket February, 2023.
“The Growing Cyberthreat to Family Offices,” published in Financial Advisor Magazine, July, 2021.
“GPDR Compliance - What You Need to Know,” Arraya Insights, June 2018.
Rowing coach: coached six crews to high school and U-23 national championships and sent dozens of athletes to Ivy League and D1 rowing careers.
Current coach at Shaker Heights High School, just outside of Cleveland, Ohio, where he lives with his wife and 2 kids.
Grew up in Tennessee and spent much of his life in Philadelphia, PA.