Born: Schenectady, New York, 1976

Admitted: Georgia, 2007.

Education: Emory University, Goizueta Business School, B.B.A., Accounting Degree and Awards; Georgia State University, College of Law, Atlanta, Georgia, J.D., 2006.

Member: State Bar of Georgia; Atlanta Bar Association - Board Member - Tax Section; North Atlanta Tax Counsel - Board Member; Georgia Bar Association - Board Member - Technology Law Section

Certification:  Certified Public Accountant, State of Georgia

Practice Areas:  Bankruptcy; Business organization and planning; Contract preparation, review, and interpretation; Commercial transactions; Corporate transactions and reorganizations; Corporate governance; Employment law; Financing; Labor and employment disputes; Intellectual property and technology law; Mergers and acquisitions; Real estate transactions; Start-up and emerging entity counseling; Tax controversy; Tax planning.

Biography: Mr. Daffner represents clients in the areas of corporate and commercial law, employment law, technology law, and tax law, with an emphasis on business transactions, corporate governance, and tax controversy. He acts as corporate counsel to developmental, mid-size, and established businesses offering advice on a wide range of business and legal issues.

Mr. Daffner advises clients on the formation, organization, ownership, structure, and management of new business entities. In addition, Mr. Daffner is versed in resolving disputes between shareholders, partners, members, and other business owners. 

In the course of his practice, Mr. Daffner handles complex contract negotiations and commercial transactions. He has extensive experience negotiating and drafting corporate governance documents, buy-sell agreements, purchase and sale agreements, financing arrangements, shareholders agreements, bylaws, and operating agreements. Mr. Daffner counsels clients concerning employment disputes and drafts employment, independent contractor, and restrictive covenant agreements.  He also assists clients in structuring intellectual property and technology transactions, including software licensing, and has experience handling trademark and copyright disputes.

Prior to pursing his legal career, Mr. Daffner worked as a Certified Public Accountant for a Big Four accounting firm providing both tax and audit services. Mr. Daffner’s background in accounting and finance provide him with a strong understanding of clients’ business concerns, allowing him to anticipate and address his clients’ needs.

Representative Transactions:

• Represented numerous closely-held entities in connection with their sale, including a major Atlanta commercial real estate information company and a large Atlanta based janitorial services provider;
• Represented both secured and unsecured creditors in aspects of Chapter 11 bankruptcy; Prepared IRS private letter ruling request for an Atlanta based information technology company successfully requesting reinstatement of company’s S corporation status;
• Managed closing and preparation of documents associated with the close of various commercial real property transactions;
• Drafted website service agreements for national community association and management company;
• Represented both majority and minority owners, shareholders, members and related employees during dispute among business owners;
• Drafted and negotiated stock purchase agreement for purchase of stock in software development and service company located in India;
• Assisted preclinical stage bio-pharmaceutical company with various aspects of angel financing;
• Negotiated contracts on behalf of various clients with vendors, suppliers, licensees, distributors, and other related entities;
• Negotiated loans and associated agreements related to venture capital financing on behalf of national telephone communication services company;
• Provided advice related to the organization, ownership, and control of various entities; and
• Negotiated employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, and restrictive covenant agreements on behalf of various clients.