Experience

Scale LLP

• United States
• Legal Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Partner

  • May 2023 - Present

  San Francisco Bay Area Scale LLP is a national, full-service distributed law firm founded by former Silicon Valley tech company GCs and business partners. We specialize in advising growth-oriented companies by providing high quality, innovative and efficient legal counsel with a focus on real world, actionable solutions.



A. Toombs Law

• Attorney/Owner

  • Feb 2015 - May 2023

  Advise life sciences clients on commercial transactions and clinical studies/research agreements, including biotech, diagnostics, medical device and pharma companies. Draft and negotiate agreements including clinical study, research collaboration, non-disclosure, material transfer, vendor, supply, consulting, license and tech transfer, as well as Business Associate Agreements. Advised on terms specifically related to data privacy (HIPAA and GDPR), and anti-kickback and Stark laws. Create… Show more Advise life sciences clients on commercial transactions and clinical studies/research agreements, including biotech, diagnostics, medical device and pharma companies. Draft and negotiate agreements including clinical study, research collaboration, non-disclosure, material transfer, vendor, supply, consulting, license and tech transfer, as well as Business Associate Agreements. Advised on terms specifically related to data privacy (HIPAA and GDPR), and anti-kickback and Stark laws. Create standard terms & conditions and playbooks for in-house counsel. Review ancillary documents such as informed consents and protocols, as well as marketing materials. Show less



Natera

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director, Legal Counsel

  • Jul 2021 - Apr 2022

  Lead the contracting team in commercial transactions, clinical studies and research collaborations, including managing the drafting, negotiating and executing the full range of commercial, vendor and other day-to-day contracts needed for effective functioning of the company, such as NDAs, consulting agreements, supply and service agreements, payer agreements, material transfer and clinical study agreements, etc., with a focus on issues relevant to company's space such as data privacy… Show more Lead the contracting team in commercial transactions, clinical studies and research collaborations, including managing the drafting, negotiating and executing the full range of commercial, vendor and other day-to-day contracts needed for effective functioning of the company, such as NDAs, consulting agreements, supply and service agreements, payer agreements, material transfer and clinical study agreements, etc., with a focus on issues relevant to company's space such as data privacy, anti-kickback/Stark, direct bill and other compliance. Act as key liaison between Legal Department and various business teams. Provide strategic advise to business units that have an international presence, including negotiation of contracts, engaging with local counsel to interpret local laws and compliance, especially data privacy. Review and approve documents ancillary to clinical studies such as ICFs and Protocols. Oversee the implementation of contract management system for company. Manage a team that includes attorneys, paralegals and contract manager. Show less

• Sr. Counsel

  • Jan 2019 - Mar 2021

  San Francisco Bay Area Manage drafting and negotiating commercial transactions across all business areas for genetic testing company, both US and international, including R&D, Clinical Operations, Pharma Partnerships, Procurement, Market Access, Services and Sales. Advise specifically on terms pertaining to data privacy (HIPAA/GDPR), compliance (anti-kickback/Stark), and IP. Act as liaison between Legal Dept. and business teams.



K&L Gates

• United States
• Law Practice
• 700 & Above Employee

• Associate

  • Jun 2011 - Sep 2013

  Palo Alto, CA Advised on commercial transactions with life sciences clients, including drafting and negotiating clinical study, sponsored research, material transfer, consulting, non-disclosure, license, and services agreements. Advised specifically on terms pertaining to data privacy, compliance and IP. Drafted and prosecuted patent applications. Conducted patentability and freedom-to-operate analyses.



Crescendo Bioscience

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care

• Attorney

  • Aug 2009 - Jul 2011

  South San Francisco, CA As sole in-house counsel, managed drafting and negotiating all agreements, including clinical study, lab services, vendor, license, sponsored research, consulting, healthcare professional advisor, non-disclosure, and material transfer agreements. Drafted patent applications and managed IP portfolio. Conducted freedom-to-operate analyses. Advised on patent and trademark prosecution. Provided general legal counsel to department heads on a wide range of legal issues.



Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

• United States
• Law Practice
• 700 & Above Employee

• Patent Agent

  • Jan 2007 - Sep 2008

  Washington D.C. Metro Area Drafted and prosecuted U.S. and foreign patent applications primarily in the areas of biotech and diagnostics. Conducted freedom-to-operate and patentability analyses. Drafted memoranda and briefs in support of litigation.



Celera Corporation

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Patent Agent

  • Jan 2005 - Aug 2006

  Alameda, CA Drafted patent applications primarily directed genotyping methods, kits, and related compositions. Conducted freedom-to-operate and patentability analyses.

• Senior Scientist

  • Apr 2001 - Jan 2005

  Alameda, CA Designed genotyping assays to determine disease association.



Roche Molecular Systems

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Scientist

  • Jun 1999 - May 2001

  Alameda CA Developed diagnostic assays to detect viral and microbial pathogens.



Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

• Research Assistant

  • Jan 1998 - Jun 1999

  Seattle, WA Developed diagnostic assays to detect microbial pathogens.