Overview
Dan has a passion for helping startups and emerging companies navigate the complex business and legal landscape, assisting his clients in every stage of the business lifecycle, from formation and financing to a successful exit.
Dan focuses his practice on advising clients in corporate, securities and financing, trademark and brand protection, intellectual property licensing, wine and beverage law, and commercial transactions.
His experience includes drafting and negotiating complex commercial transactions in the areas of manufacturing, services and technology development. In addition, Dan regularly counsels and assists clients with the strategic acquisition, protection, registration, commercialization and enforcement of all types of intellectual property rights.
Outside of work, Dan is active in several local and charitable organizations by serving as a member of the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Northwest and as a member of the Advisory Board for Gonzaga’s New Venture Lab and Gonzaga’s Entrepreneurship Advisory Board. He holds his Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University School of Law.
Areas of Focus
Admissions
- Washington, 2009
Education
- J.D., Gonzaga University School of Law (cum laude)
- Gonzaga Law Review, Editor-in-Chief
- B.A., Gonzaga University (magna cum laude), Economics, concentration in Entrepreneurial Leadership, minors in Analytical Finance and Spanish,
Honors & Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America®
- Corporate Law, 2026
- Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law, 2025
- Rising Star, Washington Super Lawyers (Business/Corporate), 2022-present
- Rising Star, Washington Super Lawyers (Intellectual Property), 2014-2020
- Featured as a Top Lawyer by Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living magazine each year from 2016-2020
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association, Member
- American Intellectual Property Law Association, Member
- International Trademark Association (INTA), Member
- Spokane County Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section, Member
- Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers, Member
- Washington State Bar Association, Member
- Business Law Section
- Intellectual Property Section
Community Activities
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Northwest, Board of Directors
- Gonzaga University
- Entrepreneurship Advisory Board
- New Venture Lab Advisory Board
Experience
Securities/Startup Fundraising
- Venture capital seed funding and preparation of offering documents
Represented fast-growing startup in connection with raising more than $12 million in venture capital seed funding and prepared offering documents.
- Regulation A+ offering and follow-on Regulation D offering
Represented startup company in raising more than $10 million in a Regulation A+ offering and follow-on Regulation D offering on online platform.
- Regulation CF crowdfunding and Regulation D offering for multiple startups
Represented multiple startup companies in connection with Regulation CF crowdfunding and Regulation D offerings on online platforms.
- Fundraising strategy for multiple early-age startups
Represented many early-stage startup companies in connection with fundraising strategy and pre-seed and seed funding.
Corporate/M&A
- Joint venture involving U.S. based company and Chinese company
Represented U.S. based company in connection with the creation of a Hong Kong joint venture with Chinese company.
- Sale of consumer products business
Represented consumer products client in the sale of its business for $15 million.
- Sale of services company with international presence
Represented services company with international presence in the sale of its business for $8 million.
- Sale of SaaS startup
Represented SaaS startup in the sale of its business for $5 million.
- Purchase of business assets of services business
Represented client in connection with the purchase of business assets of services business for $5 million.
Intellectual Property & Commercial Transactions
- Negotiation of multiple six-digit ARR subscription agreements for SaaS company
Represented SaaS company in the negotiation and execution of multiple six-digit ARR subscription agreements.
- Negotiation of multiple technology joint development agreements for a variety of industries
Represent clients in the negotiation and execution of multiple technology joint development agreements (both cross-border and domestic) in industries from agriculture and education to mining and aerospace.
- Regular obtainment and maintenance of trademark assets for brands in global jurisdictions
Regularly represent brands in obtaining and maintaining trademark assets in jurisdictions around the world. - Assignment of hundreds of global patent assets for a public corporation
Represented a public corporation in the assignment of hundreds of patent assets around the world as part of a corporate restructuring.
News & Insights
News
71 Foster Garvey Attorneys Recognized Among the 2026 Best Lawyers in America; Paul Trinchero Named ‘Lawyer of the Year’
08.21.25
65 Foster Garvey Attorneys Selected to The Best Lawyers in America® 2025, Three Named ‘Lawyer of the Year’
08.15.24
14 Attorneys Named to 2024 Washington Super Lawyers Lists; Emily Gant Featured Among Top Attorneys
07.31.24
Foster Garvey Helps Usher In Salon.com’s New Chapter
11.21.23
13 Attorneys Recognized on 2023 Washington Super Lawyers Lists
07.31.23
12 Attorneys Recognized in Washington Super Lawyers for 2022
07.14.22
Full-Service Capabilities, Stellar Attorneys Lead Dan Wadkins to Foster Garvey
07.07.21
Foster Garvey Welcomes Dan Wadkins as Principal in the Business & Corporate Finance Practice
07.06.21
Events
Foster Garvey Celebrates Entrepreneurship at 2024 Washington State University’s Business Plan Competition
04.25.24
“Ryan McNeice Law & Entrepreneurship CLE: Starting a Winery,” Gonzaga University School of Law
10.13.23
“Business Formations,” SP3NW’s Startup Advisor Lunch and Learn
04.12.23
“Starting a Business in the Knowledge Economy,” WESKA (WSU Entrepreneurship Skills & Knowledge Accelerator) Program
06.17.22
Connect with Dan