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Joe

Joseph L. Cerne

Associate

Joe Cerne takes a pragmatic approach to advising clients on corporate and transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, entity formation, corporate governance, and contract negotiations.

As an active member of the vibrant Portland startup community, Joe advises founders in Oregon and beyond, guiding them through every stage of the business lifecycle. Joe's engagement in the startup ecosystem ensures that founders receive strategic and pragmatic counsel on legal frameworks, governance, and compliance to achieve their business objectives.

Joe’s real estate practice focuses on leasing, acquisitions, and financing for both businesses and individuals. He regularly counsels clients, including publicly traded companies, on securities regulations compliance. He advises lenders and borrowers with a variety of financing transactions, including commercial and asset-based lending.

Joe maintains an active pro bono practice and frequently assists small businesses with entity formation, general corporate matters, and contract review and negotiation.

Experience

$575M Acquisition of Chorus.ai
Series Seed Investment
Acquisition of Early Education Centers Across the U.S.
Acquisition of Crème de la Crème Child Care Centers (47 locations in 14 states)

Clario Medical Imaging Inc. Sale by Merger to Intelerad Medical Systems
Advised Clario Medical Imaging in its sale by merger to Intelerad Medical Systems.
Crawford Scientific Strategic Transaction
Advised Crawford Scientific in a strategic transaction.
Information Display Company Stock Sale to Carmanah Technologies Company
Advised Information Display Company, one of the industry’s most respected names in radar speed signs, in its stock sale to Carmanah Technologies Company.
Insurance Partners LLC Purchase of Miller Insurance
Represented Insurance Partners LLC in its purchase of Miller Insurance.
$15M Management Buyout of CUI Devices
Represented senior management of CUI, Inc. in its leveraged buyout of CUI’s non-power supply components division.
Plover, Inc. Convertible Debt and SAFE Financings
Served as outside general counsel.
“Tuck-In” Acquisitions
We regularly assist KinderCare Education with "Tuck-Ins" acquisitions of small child care centers located nationally.

Professional Experience

Lane Powell PC

Associate (2018-Present)
Summer Associate (2017)

University of Oregon School of Law, Research Assistant (2017-2018)

Washington State Office of the Attorney General, Transportation and Public Construction, Summer Law Clerk (2016)

Boeing

In Service Supplier Support Procurement Agent (2014-2015)
Program Planning and Control Intern (2014)

Community Involvement

Lewis & Clark Law School, Small Business Legal Clinic, Pro Bono Attorney (2019-Present)

Oregon State Bar, Business Law Section

Treasurer (2023-Present)
Executive Committee (2022-Present)
New Business Lawyers Subcommittee, Chair (2021-Present)

American Bar Association, Business Law Section

Lane County Legal Aid and Advocacy Center, Intake Coordinator (2015-2018)

Enumclaw High School, Football and Track Coach (2014-2015)

Thought Leadership

September 6, 2023Event / CLE
Early Stage Planning for US-Based Businesses
Hive Founders
July 24, 2023News
Nineteen Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Oregon for 2023
Awards & Honors
June 22, 2023Event / CLE
Startups & Emerging Companies Summer Series – Growing Your Business the Right Way
Lane Powell | Portland, Oregon
July 1, 2022News
Fifteen Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Oregon for 2022
Awards & Honors
May 12, 2022News
Cerne and Yamaguchi Receive Honors From Lewis & Clark Law School Small Business Legal Clinic
Awards & Honors

Practices & Industries

Corporate, Securities, and M&A
Startups & Venture Capital
Real Estate
Finance & Banking

Education

University of Oregon School of Law, J.D., 2018
- Order of the Coif
- Civil Procedure Tutor
University of Puget Sound, B.A., Business and Economics, 2014
- Academic All-American
- Phi Delta Theta
- Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, President

Admissions

Oregon
Washington

Honors

"Ones to Watch," Best Lawyers®, Corporate (2022, 2024)

“Oregon Rising Star,” Thomson Reuters, Business/Corporate (2022-2023)

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