Jay Fortun
Jay Fortun is Of Counsel to the Firm. He is a former General Counsel for global technology and oil & gas companies and now focuses on complex international and domestic contracts and alliances, including those involving technology operations and licensing, oil & gas exploration and development, and aviation and marine matters. He also acts as outside General Counsel or Global Counsel for small and large companies aggressively pursuing new ventures, international alliances, contracts and revenue.
Jay has lived, directed legal affairs and negotiated contracts in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. He creates cutting-edge business and sale proposals, strategic alliances, licensing agreements, and new ventures with companies and governments worldwide. He has strong negotiation and plain-language drafting skills, and is a member of the Texas, Washington and International bars. Jay has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Washington, a Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University, and an LL.M. in International Law & Marine Affairs from the University of Washington.
Formerly, he was Senior Counsel in Dhahran and The Hague for Saudi ARAMCO, Chief International Counsel for Hunt Oil Company in Dallas, VP & General Counsel for Wickland Oil Terminal's global operations, and VP & Chief Counsel for Tenzing Communications in Seattle (a provider of global inflight, wireless email and SMS services owned by AIRBUS, Cathay Pacific Airways and ITOCHU Corporation of Japan). Representative clients have included INRIX Inc., BTU Ventures Inc., The Netherlands Offshore Company, Marine Offshore Contractors, and Stockpot Soups. Representative projects include:
- Airborne E-Mail for Airlines – Concluded with Cathay Pacific Airways and Virgin Atlantic major operational and licensing agreements for the installation and operation of the world’s first airborne wireless email and SMS services onboard commercial airliners.
- Traffic Information and Software Licensing – For Inrix Inc., drafted and negotiated a series of strategic agreements providing highway traffic flow data to radio and cable outlets, new BMW automobiles, and end users of geo-positioning handhelds.
- Major Development Project in Arabia – Directed all legal activity for a US$5 Billion offshore natural gas infrastructure development project, including all bid and contractual documents for engineering, construction management and facilities installation.
- European Branch Office Operations – From offices in Holland, directed EMEA and Asian legal affairs, engineering and technology contracts, and multi-million dollar purchasing, and air and sea transportation for Middle Eastern and European companies.
- Airborne WiFi Test Program – Negotiated a memorandum of understanding and definitive implementation agreement with Scandinavian Airlines and a leading Swedish wireless provider to develop a joint WiFi program for advanced airborne email and messaging.
- Saudi Computer Facility - From offices in Holland and Saudi Arabia, directed legal work for the bid solicitation and contract awards for Arabia’s advanced super computer, communications and engineering center, as well as related architecture and purchasing.
- Patent Licensing – Drafted and negotiated the patent licensing from an Eastern European technology company to the West of a chemical technology process, together with technical service agreements with the inventors.
- China Marine Terminal – Concluded a joint venture agreement in Beijing with SINOCHEM (a Chinese state oil and chemical company), and associated engineering and construction contracts, for the creation and operation near Shanghai of a major international marine petroleum transshipment terminal.
- New Mergers and Acquisitions – To effectuate an aggressive growth business model for two California companies, concluded 12 separate corporate mergers or asset acquisitions across the USA, and three international asset acquisitions or sales over a two-year period.
- Installation of Offshore Oil Platforms – On behalf of the world’s largest, heavy-lift offshore construction contractor, drafted tenders and finalized in London, Aberdeen and Stavanger engineering and construction agreements with major petroleum companies for offshore oil and gas platforms, underwater pipelines and associated diving and support services in the North Sea and Pacific.
- Global Contracting Procedures and Forms – Created for technology and energy companies comprehensive sets of purchasing and contracting procedures (including Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and US Anti-Boycott Laws), as well as standard forms to speed operations.
