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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
Sale by Merger to Intelerad Medical Systems
Crawford Scientific
Strategic Transaction
Information Display Company
Stock Sale to Carmanah Technologies Company
Insurance Partners LLC
Purchase of Miller Insurance
$15M Management Buyout
Convertible Debt and SAFE Financings
“Tuck-In” Acquisitions
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)

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

Chair Elect (2024)
Treasurer (2023)
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

July 18 & August 1, 2024Event / CLE
Scaling Up? Important Lessons and Legal Insights for Your Startup's Growth
In Portland & Seattle!
July 24, 2024News
Nineteen Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Oregon for 2024
Awards & Honors
February 24, 2024Event / CLE
Navigating Entrepreneurship: Tales & Takeaways from Startup Attorneys
Vancouver IRL | Vancouver, WA
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, 2025)

“Oregon Rising Star,” Thomson Reuters, Business/Corporate (2022-2024)

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