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Overview
Tyler’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, corporate finance, securities regulations, secured financing, and other general business matters. He enjoys helping clients understand their legal needs and think strategically about how best to accomplish their goals. Tyler works with clients across the State of Oregon to solve problems in their business operations and transition their businesses to new ownership – whether that transition is through a sale to an outside party, a family or management succession plan, or otherwise.
Tyler is actively engaged in Portland’s startup community and works with business owners and entrepreneurs in structuring their businesses, protecting their assets, and best positioning themselves to explore fundraising and investment opportunities – all while tackling any legal challenges that may come up in their routine business operations.
Tyler received his J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law, where he graduated first in his class, Order of the Coif, and was awarded a number of merit-based fellowships and scholarships, including the Oregon State Bar Business Law Section's Outstanding Corporate Law Student Scholarship and the Oregon State Bar Securities Section Scholarship.
Tyler is actively engaged in Portland’s startup community and works with business owners and entrepreneurs in structuring their businesses, protecting their assets, and best positioning themselves to explore fundraising and investment opportunities – all while tackling any legal challenges that may come up in their routine business operations.
Tyler received his J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law, where he graduated first in his class, Order of the Coif, and was awarded a number of merit-based fellowships and scholarships, including the Oregon State Bar Business Law Section's Outstanding Corporate Law Student Scholarship and the Oregon State Bar Securities Section Scholarship.
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Get To Know
Tyler was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. After finishing their undergraduate degrees, Tyler and his wife Sara moved to Nottingham England, where Tyler completed a graduate degree in philosophy of religion, and the two travelled through Europe in their spare time. Before settling down in Oregon, Tyler and Sara lived in southern California where Tyler managed operations at a commercial tissue culture lab. Tyler and his wife have three young sons.
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Featured Work
Tonkon Torp Leads Sale of Pendleton Whisky Brands for Hood River Distillers
In early 2018, Tonkon Torp concluded the $205 million sale of the Pendleton Whisky brands by its client Hood River Distillers, Inc. (HRD) to Proximo Spirits, whose international portfolio of spirits includes Jose Cuervo tequila. HRD was Oregon’s first distillery, and one of Tonkon's original clients.
Tonkon Torp Guides Pacific Foods through Oregon’s Largest Acquisition of 2017
Tonkon Torp led Oregon's largest M&A transaction in 2017, the $700 million acquisition of Tualatin-based Pacific Foods of Oregon LLC by Campbell Investment Company. Pacific Foods is an iconic, nationally distributed organic food brand founded in 1987.
Tonkon Torp Brings Attorney Power to Renewable Energy Transaction
Tonkon Torp client Enel Green Power North America (EGPNA) is the North American subsidiary of one of the largest corporations in the world, the Italian electricity company Enel S.p.A. Here's how we helped EGPNA in a renewable energy acquisition.
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Community Involvement & Activities
Community Services, Inc.
Board of Trustees
Oregon Entrepreneurs Network
Secretary, Board of Directors
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Professional Memberships
American Bar Association
Multnomah Bar Association
Multnomah Bar Association
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Awards & Recognition
The Best Lawyers in America
2021, Ones to Watch – Mergers and Acquisitions Law
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Recent News
8.21.2020
Nine Rising Tonkon Torp Attorneys Included on 2021 “Ones to Watch” List
Nine Tonkon Torp lawyers representing nine practice groups have been honored in Best Lawyers' inaugural Ones to Watch directory. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch is a peer-review honor focused on acknowledging attorneys who have been in private practice…
8.5.2020
Tonkon Torp Attorneys Speak to Startups at Virtual TiE XL Bootcamp Session
Tonkon Torp attorneys Tyler Harkness, Parna Mehrbani, and Kristin Bremer Moore were instructors at the June virtual sessions of the TIE XL Bootcamp. The Bootcamp provides opportunities for a cohort of entrepreneurs to connect with experts in the…
5.28.2020
Oh Baby! Briar Baby Puts Baby Bonnets on Hold to Produce High-Quality Face Masks
Briar Baby had no need to take baby steps when it came to their COVID-19 response. The Vancouver-based company is one of Tonkon Torp’s entrepreneurial clients, and is best known for its modern approach to handmade baby bonnets. The team took…
3.9.2020
Tyler Harkness Is Keynote Speaker at LAUNCH Mid-Valley Startup Bootcamp
Tonkon Torp attorney Tyler Harkness was a keynote speaker at the inaugural LAUNCH Mid-Valley Startup Bootcamp held on March 1 in McMinnville. Tyler’s session focused on business law for startups.
6.13.2019
Parna Mehrbani Speaks About IP for Food Industry Startups
On May 15, Tonkon Torp hosted the second session of the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network’s Angel Food Education series. Attorneys Tyler Harkness and David Forman emceed the event and welcomed 45 food industry entrepreneurs who are participating in OEN’s…
5.24.2019
Tyler Harkness Featured in PSU Blockchain Panel
Tyler Harkness was a featured panelist at Unlocking Blockchain for Business Leaders, a training event hosted by the Portland State University Center for Executive and Professional Education.
5.16.2019
Tyler Harkness Speaks to PSU Students about ICOs
Tonkon Torp attorney Tyler Harkness was a guest speaker for a blockchain seminar offered by Portland State University. Tyler spoke to graduate students about the evolution of Initial Coin Offerings (ICO) and related federal and state securities laws…
4.22.2019
Tyler Harkness Explores ICOs and Blockchain’s Impact on Venture Capital Financing at TechFest NW
Tonkon Torp attorney Tyler Harkness was featured on two panels during TechFest NW, which was held at Portland State University (PSU).
11.14.2018
Tonkon Torp Hosts TiE Entrepreneurs for Blockchain Discussion
Tonkon Torp's Entrepreneurial Service Practice Group hosted a special interest group of entrepreneurs and business professionals from TiE Oregon for a November 13 educational event on blockchain technology. Tyler Harkness organized Tonkon's…
10.26.2018
Tonkon Torp Attorneys Speak at TiE Startup Bootcamp
On October 17, attorneys from Tonkon Torp’s Entrepreneurial Services and Labor & Employment practice groups spoke to Oregon startups at the TiE Oregon Bootcamp.
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Publications & Presentations
“Corporate and Business Law Fundamentals,” TiE XL Oregon Bootcamp, June 2020
"Startup Business Law," Launch Mid-Valley Startup Bootcamp, March 2020
Panelist, "Unlocking Blockchain for Business Leaders," Portland State University, April 2019
"Evolution of Initial Coin Offerings," Portland State University, April 2019
Panelist, "Blockchain Beyond Cryptocurrency" and Moderator, "Should Startups Consider ICOs as Funding Tools?" TechFest NW, April 2019
"Corporate and Business Law Fundamentals," TiE Oregon Bootcamp, October 2018
"Cryptocurrencies," Greater Portland Compliance Association, September 2018
"Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, and the Law," June 2018
"Initial Coin Offerings – Entrepreneurs vs. the SEC," April 2018
"Choosing Your Business Entity," September 2017
"Department of Labor Fiduciary Rule Overview," Greater Portland Compliance Association, September 2016