John Vernon

Associate

2023 - 2024

• Assisted in handling complex corporate legal matters, financings, mergers, and intellectual property issues. • Drafted and reviewed legal documents facilitating transactions as part of the Business and Financial Systems Practice Group. • Participated in due diligence processes for corporate transactions, analyzing financial records and identifying potential risks. • Collaborated with internal teams, including marketing, accounting, and management, to ensure our business objectives were met. • Acquired five new clients for the firm and engaged prospective clients through networking programs and presentations. • Served on the Information Systems Committee and participated in the roll out of new legal technologies for the firm, including artificial intelligence tools.

Associate

2019 - 2022

Portfolio Companies: Calypso AI, Inscripta, Scythe, Conceal.io (formerly NetAbstraction), Ursa, Nisos, and Adventr. • Provided analysis and enacted solutions to the operations and business challenges presented by current portfolio companies during Board meetings helping them accomplish their strategic goals. • Initiated new deal sourcing and evaluations of potential companies for the Paladin portfolio that align with the investment thesis in computer science, cybersecurity, and bioengineering. • Performed due diligence review including business, legal, competitive and market landscape, and operational efficacy of six new companies for the recent $372M fund. • Planed and developed an expansion of Paladin’s investment thesis in the areas of Safety Tech and AI and co-authored a market research report explaining our new thesis. • Contributed to the overall professional operations of the firm through financial reporting, fundraising, innovation enhancement, marketing, and speaking engagements. • Supervised several graduate interns and provide training consistent with their educational goals and program requirements.

Policy Intern

2019 - 2019

- Assisted policy advisors with the execution and monitoring of science and technology directives and Executive Orders. - Drafted memos on artificial intelligence, mental health, big data, job automation, and technology transfer. - Collaborated with interagency and private sector groups to support the Director’s initiatives for advancing the President’s goals.

Intern - Domestic Policy Council

2018 - 2018

- Supported members of the DPC with the development, coordination, and execution of domestic policy for the Executive Branch. - Collaborated with industry experts and agencies to collect and articulate policy proposals ensuring interagency implementation. - Worked closely with staff on specific policy areas and legal issues involving education, healthcare, technology, and immigration.

Legal Intern

2017 - 2017

- Provided legal support for the closing of several business and real estate transactions and acquisitions. - Helped draft and distribute communications among parties. - Planned the development of new intellectual property practice.

Innovation Consultant

2015 - 2016

- Worked as a client lead on several projects in specialized areas including healthcare and education. - Organized a project plan to measure the impact of hospital community health services projects. - Managed undergraduate interns to carry out statistics and data analysis.

Business Strategist

2015 - 2016

- Helped start a retail business in South Africa focusing on women’s empowerment through skills and business training in product design and delivery. - Completed a business plan submitted and was a Semi-finalist in the 2016 ND McCloskey Business Plan Competition. - Acted as a technical consultant and business advisor directing the group on their launch strategy.

Founder

2014 - 2016

- Produced a mobile application that helps South Bend, IN save money by promoting volunteer efforts to fix code violations in the city. - Interviewed 100+ potential customers and users of Find-n-Fix to develop the prototype and prove customer validation.

Research and Development Coordinator

2013 - 2016

- Assisted with research and data collection for our application to detect neurological disorders through speech. - Helped write and submit several grant applications that resulted in funding from NSF, NIH, and NFL. - Created a commercialization plan to deliver our intellectual property to the public market. - Contributed to research planning and business pivots to for our start-up company.

Founder

2012 - 2016