Services & Industries
Education
J.D., Boston University School of Law, 1986
B.S., with honors, Portland State University, 1983
Bar & Court Admissions
Oregon State Bar
Massachusetts Bar (Inactive)
Brenda joined Tonkon Torp in 2016 as a partner in the firm’s Business Department. Her practice focuses on securities law, including venture capital financings, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, public and private offerings of securities, and state and federal regulation of securities. Brenda has represented both privately and publicly-owned businesses in industries including technology, life sciences, financial services, telecom, food and beverage, and manufacturing.
Brenda is Chair of the firm’s Entrepreneurial Services Practice Group and has substantial experience in business counseling and general corporate law representing startups and emerging growth companies. She works with clients on a variety of matters, including selecting the appropriate form of entity, forming and dissolving corporations, advising on corporate governance issues, and negotiating and documenting such contractual arrangements as shareholder, investor rights, and voting agreements, as well as debt and equity financing agreements. Her experience includes representation of venture capital and angel funds regarding their organization and investments.
A graduate of Boston University School of Law, Brenda returned to Portland in 1994, joining the firm Ater Wynne LLP. While there, she chaired the firm’s Business Department from 2001-2009, chaired its Emerging Business Practice Group from 2009-2016, and served as the Firm Chair from 2011-2016.
Representative Matters
Corporate Conversion and Financing for Circuitry Company
Led team that advised a client with the negotiation of a term sheet and the documentation of the conversion from an Oregon corporation into a Delaware corporation, as well as the offer, issuance and sale of Series A Preferred Stock to a venture capital fund.
Financing for SaaS Company Focused on the Banking Industry
Assisted SaaS platform client with the offer, issuance, and sale of Series A-1 Preferred Stock Financing.
Community Involvement & Activities
Oregon State Bar
Securities Regulation Section, Member
Business Law Section, Member
2004–2005, Secretary
2006, Treasurer
2004–2006, Executive Committee Member
Marylhurst University
2015–Present, Board of Trustees
2017–2019, Chair, Advancement Committee
2017–2019, Executive Committee Member
Portland State University Center for Entrepreneurship
2015–Present, Advisory Committee Member
Regional Arts & Culture Council
2015–2017, Board Member
Oregon Entrepreneurs Network
2012–2013, Board Member
2012–2013, Chair of Annual Fund Campaign
2004–2010, Startup Services Committee Member
Literary Arts, Inc.
2006–2008, Board Chair
2005–2006, Vice Chair
2002–2008, Board Member
Friends of the Performing Arts Center
2005–2008, Board Member
Women’s Investment Network
2005–2009, Steering Committee Member
The Link for Women
2005–2009, Advisory Board Member
Software Association of Oregon
1997–2001, Board Member
2001–2012, Board Emeritus
Professional Memberships
Multnomah Bar Association
The Best Lawyers in America
2015-2025, Business Organizations (including LLCs & Partnerships)
2015-2025, Securities/Capital Markets Law
2018-2025, Corporate Law
2018-2025, Mergers & Acquisitions Law
2020, Lawyer of the Year – Business Organizations (including LLCs & Partnerships), Portland
Oregon Entrepreneurs Network
2014, Volunteer of the Year
Portland Business Journal
2012, Women of Influence – Orchid Award Winner
Recent News
46 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Included in 2025 Best Lawyers in America®
Forty-six Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 36 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025. Forty-five of the attorneys have been previously named to the peer-review list, and most have been listed for more than 10 years.
Chambers USA 2024 Ranks 28 Tonkon Torp Attorneys
Chambers USA has recognized 28 Tonkon Torp attorneys in eight practice areas in its 2024 Guide.
Best Lawyers in America® Includes 49 Tonkon Torp Attorneys on 2024 List
Forty-nine Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 36 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024. All of the attorneys have been previously named to the peer-review list, and most have been listed for more than 10 years.
Chambers USA 2023 Ranks 26 Tonkon Torp Attorneys
Chambers USA has recognized 26 Tonkon Torp attorneys in eight practice areas in its Chambers USA 2023 Guide.
Best Lawyers in America® Includes 53 Tonkon Torp Attorneys on 2023 List
Fifty-three Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 37 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023. Nearly all the attorneys have been previously named to the peer-review list, and most have been listed for more than 10 years.
Publications & Presentations
Moderator, “Investor Perspectives on Raising Capital in Uncertain Times,” May 2020
“The Emerging Growth Ecosystem in Oregon,” December 2017
Moderator, “She Persisted – Stories from Business Women Who Have Persevered and Triumphed,” November 2017
“Guiding Your Clients Through the Silicon Forest,” Multnomah Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, June 2017
“Due Diligence Checklist,” April 2017
“Convertible Notes – Pleasures and Pitfalls,” December 2016