Amanda Merced

Amanda is an experienced technology transactions attorney who has negotiated all manner of complex technology transactions on both the buy and sell side, including software licensing, artificial intelligence solutions, robotic process automation (RPA), cloud computing arrangements (IaaS, SaaS and PaaS), technology maintenance and services, technology development/customization, information technology outsourcing (ITO), business process outsourcing (BPO), strategic alliances, internet of things (IoT), confidentiality, strategic sourcing and data security/privacy.  She has also partnered extensively with internal sales, services, and product departments on deal structuring, pricing, proposal drafting and statement of work revisions. Amanda focuses her practice on complex transactions involving technology and intellectual property, though also has broad experience in the areas of corporate compliance, risk management, and corporate governance.  Amanda has served as a senior leader within both Unicorn start-ups and Fortune 100 regulated companies, and as such is able to serve as a practical and solutions-oriented outside General Counsel to Ward Berry’s family of clients.

Amanda comes to Ward Berry most previously as the Head of Legal & Compliance and Corporate Secretary at SparkCognition Government Systems, Inc. (SGS), a full spectrum artificial intelligence company focused on defense and national security.  Prior to leading SGS legal, Amanda served as Senior Corporate Counsel, responsible for compliance, and commercial technology transactions at SparkCognition, Inc., an Austin based Unicorn artificial intelligence company. At SparkCognition, Amanda built the company’s end-to-end contracting practices and was responsible for negotiating all commercial technology transactions, both domestic and international.  Amanda made the jump into the technology sector following 9 years at USAA, where her career spanned from Corporate Governance supporting the USAA Board of Directors, to Third Party Risk Management and Compliance, to ultimately becoming the lead technology transactions attorney for USAA’s Information Technology and Procurement departments. As such, Amanda was responsible for negotiating USAA’s most complex technology transactions. Throughout her career, Amanda has been known for her ability to identify, pursue, and execute partnership-minded and practical solutions.   Amanda is looking forward to bringing her humor, candor, and business forward approach to Ward Berry’s family of clients.