Marc Ackerman serves as a strategic advisor to early stage companies. He works closely with founder-entrepreneurs and their management teams to help navigate the wide variety of complex challenges facing start-ups. Marc spearheaded the creation of the firm’s Emerging Companies practice group, comprised of attorneys from across multiple departments, that provides a broad suite of skills and knowledge for the benefit of the firm’s early stage clients.
Marc has a deep understanding of emerging companies, having served as a senior legal and business executive at a high-growth, early stage company, where he built and led the legal, risk and compliance function, had responsibility for all HR functions, and led the international business unit. Marc calls on this experience to help his early stage clients move rapidly from the start-up stage to their chosen goal – whether that is continued growth, acquisition, IPO or other. Marc serves as “outside general counsel” to emerging companies, and also partners with in-house counsel to provide not only legal counsel, but focused business advice and access to a trusted network of emerging company service providers.
Marc’s clients span a number of industries: he has particular experience advising healthcare, beauty, wellness and fitness companies, and he has advised organizations in sports, immersive gaming, edtech, insuretech, fintech, web3, telecommunications and consumer products.
Day One Fellowship, Mentor and Lecturer
International Trademark Association — Pro Bono Committee; Lefkowitz Trademark Moot Court Competition
New York City Bar Association — Sports Law Committee, Past Chair; Committee on Judicial and Professional Ethics, Past Secretary
Trademark licensing counsel to Fanatics Licensing Management, negotiating exclusive license agreements for college sports apparel and merchandise on behalf of University of Wisconsin, Notre Dame and University of Kentucky.
Representation of HigherDOSE, a growth stage wellness product and services company, as outside general counsel. We advise the company on corporate entity structure; equity incentives; intellectual property protection; data privacy, including CCPA and GDPR compliance; FDA compliance; commercial contracts; waivers; product safety and advertising matters.
Representation of Tyba, an early stage technology company providing a platform for renewable energy companies and investors, as outside general counsel. We advise the company on a wide range of matters, including technology agreements, entity structure, capital raising, equity incentives and shareholding.
Representation of Lucid Navigation d/b/a Crush, an early stage coaching platform, as outside general counsel. We advise the company on matters related to company formation and structure and intellectual property protection.
Representation of a published author and her production company, including negotiating book and film rights, formation of the production company, and intellectual property protection.
Representation of Anckor Fitness, a unique well industry company, providing overall legal and business strategy and advice.
Representation of Beat the Bomb, a growth stage immersive gaming company, on fund-raising; intellectual property protection, including patent prosecution and patent counseling; and overall legal and business strategy.
Representation of ClassTag, a disruptive educational technology company, on advertising issues.
Legal 500 USA — Mentioned Individual, Intellectual Property (Copyright) (2011)
Legal 500 USA — Leading Individual, Media and Entertainment (Sports) (2007-2010)
Thurgood Marshall Award (1998)
NYU Journal of International Law & Politics — Article and Note Editor