Mr. Beckler began to practice law actively after spending a number of years in a dual role as a trader and lawyer at various multinational banks including Barclays Bank PLC, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, and Den Norske Bank PLC. Mr. Beckler was responsible for generating profits for the banks based on proprietary positions and servicing customer accounts. He also had experience funding the banks' overall loan portfolio and hedging foreign exchange positions with a combination of options strategies. Mr. Beckler also had responsibilities for drafting and executing business plans that enabled the banks to enter into new markets, for reviewing ISDA and other pertinent legal documentation, and for interfacing with the banks' in house counsel as well as with outside firms on a number of regulatory issues.
In the late 1990's, Mr. Beckler partnered as general counsel on two different technology startup companies, one that developed the latest generation of optical character recognition engines and another that created a virtual platform designed to integrate two or more disparate databases. As general counsel, Mr. Beckler was involved in all aspects of the businesses and regularly interfaced with customers and outside counsel on technology licenses, vendor agreements and equipment leases.
As an associate at Davis & Gilbert LLP in the corporate and new media departments,Mr. Beckler regularly drafted and negotiated transactional documents to support the worldwide operational needs of the firm's clients, which included international advertising agencies, a Japanese car manufacturer, and a public telecommunications services corporation. Mr. Beckler also authored demand letters and memorandum to support the firm's business litigation. Specifically, Mr. Beckler took a lead role in editing and negotiating a $5,000,000 web hosting, software license and services agreement, and worked closely with the firm's partners to execute both asset and stock purchases of a number of multimillion dollar advertising firms.
Currently, Mr. Beckler regularly represents entrepreneurs in all aspects of corporate formation including setting up the proper corporate structure and negotiating leases, employment and vendor contracts, confidentiality agreements,and financing documents. Mr. Beckler also continues to service the marketing department of a billion dollar French cosmetics company, multinational advertising agencies and asset based lenders on contractual matters, technology agreements and marketing issues.
Speaking Engagements - Mr. Beckler regularly co-chaired a seminar offered at the New York University School of Continuing Education titled, "Start Your Own Business" in conjunction with the Executive and Entrepreneur Leadership Development Program offered by Richard Raymond Associates, Inc. In November Mr. Beckler lectured before the German American Chamber of Commerce on international contract law.
Publications - Mr. Beckler is a regular contributor to the New York Law Journal on corporate, securities and ethics issues. Mr. Beckler has also authored articles for German American Trade.
Clerkship - Mr. Beckler clerked for Judge Margaret H. Murphy at the Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Georgia, where he researched and wrote on various bankruptcy topics, particularly involving fraudulent transactions, and attended trials, hearings, motions, and conferences.
Education - Mr. Beckler graduated Emory University School of Law (Juris Doctor, 1991) and Tufts University (Bachelor of Arts, Economics, cum laude, 1988). At Emory, Mr. Beckler was elected to the Student Bar Association representing his class on a variety of academic and social matters.
Bar Admissions - Mr. Beckler is currently admitted to practice law in: New York and Georgia
Memberships - Mr. Beckler is a member of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York and Georgia State Bar Associations. He is also a member of the German American Chamber of Commerce and the Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce. He frequently attends seminars, events, and continuing legal education programs and has published both legal and business articles on topical events.
The Law Office of Laurence Beckler, PLLC has recently been added to the Legal Consultants Program of the American Association of Advertising Agencies.