Overview
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.
Get To Know
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.
Community Involvement & Activities
Community Services, Inc.
Board of Trustees
Oregon Entrepreneurs Network
Secretary, Board of Directors
Professional Memberships
Multnomah Bar Association
Awards & Recognition
The Best Lawyers in America
Recent News
Nine Rising Tonkon Torp Attorneys Included on 2021 “Ones to Watch” List
Tonkon Torp Attorneys Speak to Startups at Virtual TiE XL Bootcamp Session
Oh Baby! Briar Baby Puts Baby Bonnets on Hold to Produce High-Quality Face Masks
Tyler Harkness Is Keynote Speaker at LAUNCH Mid-Valley Startup Bootcamp
Parna Mehrbani Speaks About IP for Food Industry Startups
Tyler Harkness Featured in PSU Blockchain Panel
Tyler Harkness Speaks to PSU Students about ICOs
Tyler Harkness Explores ICOs and Blockchain’s Impact on Venture Capital Financing at TechFest NW
Tonkon Torp Hosts TiE Entrepreneurs for Blockchain Discussion
Tonkon Torp Attorneys Speak at TiE Startup Bootcamp
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