Tatum "Tate" Hilmoe

"An organization's success is directly related to its leadership, team, and execution."

Tate brings a wealth of experience to companies navigating the exciting yet complex world of innovation. From information technology and blockchain to holographic telecommunications and manufacturing, he has a proven track record of guiding startups and emerging growth companies towards success. 

His practice spans the entire lifecycle of a business, from formation and funding strategies (including debt financing, SAFEs, and M&A) to governance, equity incentives, and strategic partnerships. He also has extensive experience advocating for the interests of specific industries before Congress.

Tate's ability to work seamlessly between San Diego and College Park, Maryland offices makes him a valuable asset to clients on both coasts. Tate is an occasional guest speaker at Cal State's MBA program and has spoken at Pepperdine's MBA program. Prior to founding Hilmoe Bertier, he honed his skills as in-house counsel for diverse industries and managed an estate planning practice.

Outside of work, he prioritizes family time, enjoys outdoor adventures, and has a keen eye for the best taquerias.

• Chief Legal Officer to Proto
• Chief Legal Officer to Justifire Technologies
• Chief Legal Officer to M8 Systems
• Prior In-house corporate counsel to TSI (life science, manufacturing, & tobacco)
• Represented Los Angeles area SaaS company in its stock sale to a competitor.
• Represented Miami based tobacco company with its nationwide licensing and overseas manufacturing.
• Represented Southern California based plastic recycling manufacturer with its acquisition of a competitor.
• Represented privately owned holding company with the sale of its multiple retail outlets in San Diego.
• Represented Maryland based cannabis company in its acquisition by a nationwide cannabis conglomerate, in a cash for stock transaction.
• Represented Los Angeles based SaaS company develop and deploy its stock incentive plan for employees and exit plan for one of its founders.
• Represented San Diego based medical device company in the asset sale of its patents and other intellectual property in a cash transaction.
• Represented Orange County based golf manufacturer with its stock buyback and the reincorporation into Delaware as it moved operations out of CA.
• Successfully represented Los Angeles based distributor with a $10M fraud action in Superior Court.
• Successfully defended Los Angeles based distributor from an 80+ defendant Lanham Act claim in the Northern District of California.
• Represented mid-size companies on a variety of matters, including master service agreements, data privacy and general issues related to corporate governance.

Tate graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.A. in Economics. He received his J.D. from Thomas Jefferson School of Law on scholarship and during that time was a visiting student at Pepperdine University School of Law, Malibu, CA. 

Tate received his Privacy Law and Data Protection Certification from the University of Pennsylvania.

• California
• Maryland
• United States District Court - Southern District of California
• United States District Court - Central District of California
• United States District Court - Northern District of California