Sheryl Hunter, Esquire

Sheryl Hunter

Sheryl Hunter, Esquire, is The Entrepreneur’s Attorney and the Founder of Hunter Business Law – The Entrepreneur’s Law Firm®. For over 20 years, Sheryl has been living her passion for entrepreneurship not only as a business attorney but as a business owner and executive. Her blended legal and business experience enables her to understand the challenges and opportunities facing her clients and to think about the broader impact of legal strategies and documents. Clients have aptly described Sheryl as “an entrepreneur with a law degree” because of her uniquely creative business mind that is applied to the practice of law.

Sheryl’s practice focuses on advising growth-focused entrepreneurs and their business enterprises, from newbie founders to serial entrepreneurs and angel investors. She represents dozens of companies ranging from early-stage startups to mid-size businesses, acting as an outsourced yet integrated general counsel. She advises clients on a wide range of corporate and financial transactions, including the formation of entities and shareholder agreements, equity compensation plans to attract and retain talent, capital raises, acquisitions and divestitures, and corporate restructuring and reorganization.

Sheryl also represents several high-net-worth entrepreneurial families, managing their multiple business entities, interests and investments and advising on estate planning, asset protection, and business succession.

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. – Steve Jobs

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Client Engagement Highlights

General Counsel for a Tampa-based investment company with both a crowd-funding platform and a $18M venture fund dedicated to investing in Florida-based early stage companies; assisted with over 30 investments in over 20 companies as well as three funding rounds for the company since 2014.
General Counsel for a Fort Myers-based direct marketing and database solutions provider specializing in the energy, broadband and telecommunications industries.
General Counsel for Tampa-based mobile platform provider which turns sports and entertainment venues nationwide into smart spaces to improve and innovate the guest experience.
General counsel to consumer products manufacturer distributing millions of dollars of sold products internationally each year.
Represented a Clearwater-based direct-to-garment apparel printing and fulfillment company in $30M sale to a publicly traded company.
Represented a national signage company in a $5M exit.
Represented bartering technology company with divestiture from an international parent company.
General counsel to three executive and board coaching and training companies.
General Counsel to Tampa-based automotive equipment management firm with operations throughout the Southeast.
General counsel to salon suites company.
General counsel to a commercial real estate company, including handling of all leases.
Represented Sarasota-based educational technology company in a $500k series seed financing round.
Represented Sarasota-based company in a $1.2m buyout of minority owners from whom the clients had made a technology acquisition.
Represented a restaurant franchisee in negotiations of commercial leases in multiple cities.
Represented a purchaser of St. Petersburg, Florida-based restaurant for over $1m.
Represented a restaurant owner in the structuring of strategic agreements and financing.
Represented client in a dispute with and separation from co-owner of a fitness studio.
Represented angel investor fund in $1.5m investment into an early-stage cannabis-related marketing company.
Processed over 50 trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for 40+ companies.
Represented a blockchain educational and coworking company in a $1M convertible note private offering.

Education

1995 graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, Juris Doctorate
1991 graduate of George Washington University, B.A. in Political Communications
- Magna Cum Laude with Highest Honors in Political Communications

Legal Experience

Over 20 years as a practicing attorney and member of the Florida Bar since 1995
Practice areas include: Business Law, Commercial Litigation, Commercial Real Estate, Estate Planning, Asset Protection and Business Succession, Planning for Business Owners, Mergers and Acquisitions
Legal Work History:
- Hunter Business Law (formerly Sheryl Seckel Hunter P.A. & Hunter & Thomas, P.A.), founder and partner: 2000-present
- BVG Incorporated, real estate development firm, as in-house General Counsel: 2004-2008
- Nursing Home Abuse Law Center, small firm, as associate: 1999-2000
- Carlton Fields, large firm, as associate: 1995-1999

Business Ownership and Executive Experience

Founder and President of law firm – 2000 to present
CEO of Lifelines Academy & Network, a provider of online education, professional certifications, and business support services to companies offering products or services to the aging market. 2009 to 2013
Officer and General Counsel for Seckel-Blanchard, Inc, a commercial real estate company, 1995 – present
Vice President and Project Manager for BVG Incorporated, a luxury real estate development company with over $700 million in projects. Responsible for management and oversight of all aspects of $32 million start-up destination club know as Ventures. 2004-2008
Vice President of Business Development for Ultimate Escapes, the second largest luxury destination club which acquired Ventures. 2008-2009
Founder of Aspen & Lucy, a website dedicated to educating the girls of today to become the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. 2011 – 2014

Professional Memberships

Florida Bar, 1995 to present
Florida Bar Committees:
- Business Law
Florida Venture Forum
TIE Tampa
Tampa Bay Technology Forum
Key Women’s Leadership Forum

Presentations and Publications

Moderator, Association for Capital Growth (ACG) Growth in St. Petersburg Event – October 2, 2019
Speaker at Jim Moran Institute Small Business Executive Program on Succession and Exit Planning – June 19, 2019
Bay News 9 interview with Roy De Jesus as a subject matter expert in regard to real estate lease enforcement when Landlord fails to maintain the property – May 16, 2019
Boots 2 Business Interview on the topic of how veterans can become entrepreneurs – May 7, 2019
Interviewed by The LAAB (Ladies Are About Business) by Gaby Delisme on the topic of the fundamentals of entrepreneurship – May 6, 2019
Florida Funders Investor Testimonial Interview – April 4, 2019
Tampa Bay Wave/WITI (Women In Technology International) forum speaker on the topic of how to think like an entrepreneur – March 28, 2019
Client Conversation Video with John Fay from Abacode on the topic of how important it is for law firms to adopt cybersecurity – March 27, 2019
St. Pete Catalyst Start-Up Report Interview on the topic of what it took for Sheryl to start her business and why she chose to start it – February 26, 2019
Speaker/moderator, Synapse Innovation Summit, “Scale Strategically: Balancing Speed with Stability to Stay on Track” – January 24, 2019
Speaker/moderator, Synapse Innovation Summit, “Developing High-Value Relationships to Lead Your Business: Pitfalls and Pluses” – January 24, 2019
Speaker, Women Ambassadors Forum – January 22, 2019
Project BOLD Life Interview – November 2018
Association for Capital Growth (ACG) panel presenter/moderator on “Cybersecurity – Crisis Management Associated with Data Breaches” – August 7, 2018
Speaker, Synapse Innovation Summit – “The Climb: 15 Tips from 5 Business Growth Experts” – March 28, 2018
Association for Capital Growth (ACG) panel presenter/moderator on The Cryptocurrency, ICO, and Blockchain Technology Boom – February 27, 2018
Bay News 9 appearance discussing franchising – December 2017
Panelist at the Women Making Waves in Tech Luncheon discussing “The Gender Gap: Compensation, Startup Funding, and Women on Boards.” – March 31, 2017.
Participant on the panel “Taking Care of Your Team” during the 2017 Florida GovCon Summit – March 29-30, 2017.
Recipient of the 2016 Business Woman of the Year award for Legal Services – September 23, 2016.
Participant on a panel of amazing businesswomen at the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay’s “Women Mean Business” – August 17, 2016.
Sponsor of The Value Builder System Seminar on June 21, 2016, with Presenter Ajay Singh.
Guest speaker at the Nonprofit Consultation Connection Luncheon on June 13, 2016.
Guest appearance with attorney Adam Hersh on Bay News 9 discussing the topic of employment law – April 29, 2016.
Guest on That Business Show with Jamie Meloni – April 1, 2016.
Guest appearance with attorney Ajay Singh on Bay News 9 discussing the topic of Crowd Funding – March 14, 2016.
Special guest speaker at the March 8, 2016, Breakfast Series on Crowd funding hosted by ACG Tampa Bay.
Judge at the KPI PITCHfest 2016, Sponsored by the John P. Lowth Entrepreneurship Center at the University of Tampa, with Anthony Sullivan and Dave Chitester – January 21, 2016
Guest appearance with attorney Adam Hersh on Bay News 9 discussing the topic of overtime legislation and changes in 2016 – January 11, 2016.
Guest on That Business Show with Jamie Meloni – January 7, 2016.
Speaker and Partnership Mentor for Key Person of Influence – USA, Business Growth & Accelerator for Entrepreneurs, Tampa, FL; November 20, 2015
Speaker, “The Partner Trap – Advising Clients on Escaping the Cons of Business Co-Ownership”, Commercial Financial Association, Tampa Chapter, October 28, 2015.
Speaker, “Data Breach and Cyber Security – Managing Risk for CPAs”, Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Pasco County Chapter, October 21, 2015.
Guest and Presenter, Jamie Meloni’s “That Business Show”, June 24, 2015.
Speaker, “It’s the Law: Business Law for Senior Move Managers”, National Association of Senior Move Managers Annual Conference & Expos, Orlando, FL, February, 2015.
Speaker, “The Partner Trap: Avoiding and Escaping the Cons of Business Co-Ownership”, The Indo-Chamber of Commerce, January 21, 2015.
Speaker, 2014 Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (CEO) National Conference in Orlando, Florida co-hosted by The University of Tampa. Presented two sessions during the conference, including “The Partner Trap: Avoiding and Escaping the Cons of Business Co-Ownership” and “The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Attorneys”, October 2014.
Presenter, “Law & Entrepreneurship – Building a Business on a Healthy Foundation,” Southeast Entrepreneurship Conference, February 2014.
Presenter, “The Business of Serving Seniors”, 2011 Florida Conference on Aging.
Three part series titled “Intellectual Property: Trademarks, Copyrights and Copycats, Oh My” for the National Association of Senior Move Managers newsletter; 2011.
Inspired by her experience caring for two family members with Alzheimer’s Disease and her legal and volunteer work on behalf of the elderly, Sheryl educates individuals and business owners on how to meet the needs of seniors and family caregivers through her company Lifelines Academy & Network.
Sheryl has co-developed three professional certifications and over 30 webinars. Subjects include: LifeDocuments Organizing and Health information Organizing; Ethics and the Confused Client Ethics and the Confused Client – Guidance for Professionals when a Client’s Capacity Comes into Question; and Domestic Violence and the Elder Population.
Sheryl has taught classes to multiple professional associations, including the National Association of Senior Move Managers, the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, the National Association of Daily Money Managers, and the National Association of Professional Organizers.
Sheryl has been interviewed on The Caregiver Hour, Senior Voice America and Women Power Up radio shows.

Civic Contributions

Synapse – 501(c)(3) dedicated to the fostering of the Florida entrepreneurial ecosystem; Board Member and Chair of Governance Committee 2018-2019
Girls Empowered Mentally for Success (GEMS); Mentor and Chair of Advisory Board for Transitions Candles, GEMS’ social venture, 2017-present
Women Ambassador Forum (WAF) event sponsor – January 2019
Best Buddies – Champion Fundraiser/Sponsor 2018 Gala
Investor Participant, Uberpitch Tampa, October 9, 2015
Member, Advisory Board and Research Foundation Committee of the National Stuttering Association 2013-2018
Chair of the Board of Directors, National Stuttering Association 2012 to 2014.
Co-Chair, Family Programs, National Stuttering Association 2010-2012. Founded and hosted NSA Family Radio, an online support group for parents of children who stutter, and kids who stutter.
VIBE, BVG Incorporated January 2007-2008. Founded corporate social responsibility initiative (VIBE) and chaired its volunteer board of BVG employees. VIBE provided support and services to Faith Café and Habitat for Humanity.
Tampa Crossroads, Inc. Board of Directors, 1998-2004. Board President 2001-2002. Provided leadership and active board participation to nonprofit serving criminal offenders who have re-entered society. Spearheaded social entrepreneurship initiative to promote greater capacity to self-fund and eventually provide employment opportunities to graduating clients.
National Association of Women Business Owners, Tampa Bay Board member, 2003-2004. Community Liaison Committee member, 2001-2002; Chair 2003-2004.
Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers (HAWL) Board member, 1996-2001. Chapter Representative to and served on the board of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers, 1999-2001. Chairwoman of Community Outreach Committee, 1996-1997. Editor of Newsletter, 1997-1999. Volunteer, Domestic Violence Injunction Project.
Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence/Women in Prison Project/Pro Bono Service Summer 1993; 1995-1999. Advocate for battered women. Coauthored report on domestic violence and the criminal justice system and developed materials for an expert witness training seminar. Successfully argued before Governor Chiles and Cabinet for early release of incarcerated abuse victim.
Tampa Connection 1998 graduate of Tampa community one-year leadership program for professionals.
Helping the Elderly with Their Legal Problems (H.E.L.P.); Pinellas Branch 1996-1998; Co-coordinator of volunteer program to make attorneys available to indigent elderly on monthly basis at Senior Center.
Women’s Peacepower Foundation Advisory Committee Chairwoman, September 1995-2001. Analyzed and evaluated grassroots organizations and individual activists dedicated to bringing peace to the lives of women, families, and communities.

Sheryl is exemplary in so many ways. Her knowledge of contract law is impeccable. Her responsiveness is remarkable. Above all, Sheryl shows a genuine interest in helping me in my business with a keen understanding of business issues balanced with contract details. She’s my go-to lawyer.

-Bernie Borges, CEO of Find and Convert, and Executive Producer of Social Business Engine

I have had the luxury of working with Sheryl on several different occasions and multiple scenarios. It isn’t often that you experience someone that cares enough to protect you and your business as if it were her own. This is exactly how I have felt in dealing with Sheryl and Hunter Business Law! She and her team are attentive, detailed and extremely easy to work with. Without hesitation, I strongly recommend Sheryl and her team for any of your business needs.

-Ashby Green, GAZELLE CAPITAL

Sheryl is an absolutely brilliant attorney. She has been massively helpful to my company as we started up. Sheryl has provided guidance and insight every step of the way. Highly knowledgeable and skilled, her team is fantastic as well! If you are considering working with her, stop thinking and do it. You will be glad you did.

-Joel Beasley, CTO and Founder of LeaderBits

Sheryl and her team have represented my firm on several matters. They get what it’s like to be an entrepreneur and are master problem solvers. Whether it be needing contract development, collections assistance or guidance on IP planning and protection, I highly Hunter Business Law to any business owner.

-Karen Post, Founder of HomeFrosting

Sheryl Hunter and her legal team have done an excellent job for us and have kept us from making costly mistakes in our businesses. Sheryl has always been readily available to consult us on simple legal questions as well as providing in-depth analysis of complex agreements and contracts. Her insight and wise counsel is invaluable to us. We consider Sheryl and her team to be members of our team and vital to our continued success.

-Travor & Verna Lutz, Optimal Male Performance Center

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