The Geek Attorney

Being referred to as the “Geek Attorney” doesn’t bother Rick Dahlson at all. In fact Dahlson, 41, the Jackson Walker L.L.P. partner who represented Internet America in its $30 million initial public offering, rather enjoys being associated with the company and its “Be a Geek” philosophy. He tells of one client who specifically sought him out because he was the “geek guy.” Internet America CEO Mike Maples calls Dahlson “a versatile attorney with a rare breadth of business knowledge. In this business, change happens at an alarming rate. Rick has die expertise to find solutions, and find them fast.”

Since Internet America’s initial public offering. Dahlson has continued to build an impressive corporate practice representing cutting-edge companies from seed stage to IPO. He’s currently handling IPOs for two high tech clients-a Dallas-based electronic bill payment solution company and Arizona-based Mobility Electronics Inc.. which recently received PC Weeks “Best New Technology” award at COMDEX. Dahlson is also currently working on a U.S. public offering for a large Australian software company.

clear sense of a company’s objectives, he pitches their business plan to investors, most of whom come from Dahlson’s well-established network of friends, clients, and associates. “Rick has built a community of private investors that clear sense of a company’s objectives, he pitches their business plan to investors, most of whom come from Dahlson’s well-established network of friends, clients, and associates. “Rick has built a community of private investors that trust him and will back his clients,” says Mol-lo, “When we were in dire need of money. Rick found it.”

Jackson Walker recently created an internal investment fund to provide additional resources of capital for clients and utilizes alternative fee arrangements for start-ups in the process of raising capital. Dahlson explains, “We want someone to be able to come in with just an idea and know thai they’ll be taken care of. from initial investment to deal-structuring to IPO.”

Recognizing the recent explosive growth of high tech and Internet companies, Jackson Walker significantly increased its Intellectual Property section and opened a Richardson Telecom Corridor office. Dahlson has been pleased with the expansion. He notes, “The opportunities in the Corridor are limitless. Silicon Valley and Austin may be the established hotbeds of technology, but North Texas is a great place to be right now.”