Rory is a versatile, business-oriented lawyer who enjoys a diverse practice focused on corporate and real estate transactional matters. Representing clients of all sizes, from small family businesses to national and international companies, Rory thinks and acts like a “deal lawyer,” utilizing a client-centric approach built on trust, predictability, and an understanding of his client’s business and industry-specific issues.
Rory’s M&A practice involves representing mostly middle-market buyers and sellers in a wide range of stock and asset-based transactions. On a day-to-day basis, he provides general corporate advice to his business clients on matters relating to corporate governance, equity and executive compensation, licensing, service and supply agreements, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and contracts.
Rory’s real estate work involves commercial acquisitions and sales, development projects, real estate financing, commercial leasing, construction and landlord/tenant issues. Rory has served as lead contract counsel for a financial institution’s national real estate portfolio, where he negotiated and drafted leases, construction agreements, property services agreements, and power supply agreements.
Before Bowditch
Prior to Bowditch, Rory practiced at a Boston law firm, focusing on corporate and real estate transactional matters. Before entering private practice, Rory coached collegiate baseball and then worked in professional baseball for a number of years. He now draws on this passion in his law practice, where he has represented various sports clubs and athletes.
Besides work
In his spare time, Rory enjoys coaching and watching his children play and compete in their various youth sports programs. Rory loves to cook, exercise, travel and play golf (not necessarily in that order).
Affiliations
- LEED Green Associate credential (pending)
- Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Boston Bar Association, Business Litigation Committee
- Member, New York Bar Association, Securities Committee
- Volunteer, Greater Boston Council of the Jimmy Fund
Previous
- Smaller Business Association of New England (“SBANE”), Human Resources Committee, Co-Chair
- General Counsel, New Bedford Bay Sox
- Roger Williams University School of Law, Law Review (Notes and Comments Editor 1999-2000)
Articles + Talks
Articles
- “The New Normal for Due Diligence,” Mergers & Acquisitions, March 8, 2021
Talks
- “Drafting and Negotiating SaaS Contract Agreements: Tips and Pitfalls,” New England Corporate Counsel Association, Inc. (NECCA), April 7, 2021
- “Paycheck Protection Program: What Businesses Need to Know,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, January 12, 2021
- “New Contracts: Pandemic Impact on Contract and Transaction Due Diligence,” Association of Corporate Counsel – Northeast Chapter, October 27, 2020
- “Contract Review: Identifying Weaknesses, Strengths and Gray Areas to Get Ahead of Future Disruptions,” Association of Corporate Counsel – Northeast Chapter, October 20, 2020
- “We have our PPP loan, now what?” Worcester Business Journal, June 9, 2020
- “Cybersecurity Threats and Employment Law in a Remote World,” New England Association of Corporate Counsel, April 1, 2020 (Moderator)
- “Great Places to Work Share Best Practices for Success,” Co-Chair, SBANE HR Committee, January 2014
- “Restrictive Employment Covenants: Protecting Your Most Valuable Business Interests,” Rhode Island Continuing Legal Education, May 2013
- “Mitigating Your Employment Risks: Restrictive Covenants in Massachusetts,” SBANE, January 2013
- “Managing Business Liability Risks for Emerging Business,” SBANE, 2012
- “Proper Classification of Contractors and Employees,” Rhode Island Continuing Legal Education, May 2011
- “Proper Classification of Contractors and Employees,” SBANE, 2011
- “Understanding Real Estate Liens,” 2011-2014
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts
- New York
- U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First and Federal Circuits
Education
- J.D., Roger Williams University School of Law
- M.Ed., East Stroudsburg University
- B.A., Hobart and William Smith Colleges
- Represented computer hardware and IT services company in sale of stock from ESOP trust to private equity sponsor
- Closed multiple add-on and strategic acquisitions to achieve growth strategy for private equity portfolio companies
- Negotiated and documented major supply and services agreements on behalf of technology client
- Leasing counsel for landlord in Greater Boston multi-building office park
- Represented lead investor in real estate joint venture
- Drafted and negotiated construction contract documents on behalf of owner for national renovation and improvement project of retail branch properties
Events + Recordings
-
Rory Fazendeiro Spoke at “Drafting and Negotiating SaaS Contract Agreements: Tips and Pitfalls” (Webinar)
-
Rory Fazendeiro Spoke at “Paycheck Protection Program: What Businesses Need to Know” (Webinar)
-
New Contracts: Pandemic Impact on Contract and Transaction Due Diligence (Webinar)
-
Contract Review: Identifying Weaknesses, Strengths and Gray Areas to Get Ahead of Future Disruptions (Webinar)
Publications
-
Rory Fazendeiro Writes “The New Normal for Due Diligence” for Mergers & Acquisitions
-
Client Alert: New PPP Funding Hits the Streets – A Primer on What Businesses Should Know
-
Client Alert: PPP Update – Handling the Necessity Questionnaire for PPP Loans $2M or More
-
Client Alert: PPP Flexibility Act of 2020
News
-
Press Release: Demonstrating Commitment to Excellence in Law, Bowditch & Dewey Becomes Boston Bar Association Sponsor Firm
-
Rory Fazendeiro was quoted in Boston Business Journal’s “They’re publicly traded, and they took PPP money. Should they keep it?”
-
Rory Fazendeiro quoted in Worcester Business Journal’s “Key steps for businesses to survive the coronavirus crisis”
-
Press Release: Bowditch Launches COVID-19 Initiative to Counsel, Support and Guide Clients in Uncharted Times