TEAM

Ted Howell

President, Attorney, and Head of Practice

WHAT I DO IN A COUPLE OF SENTENCES

I’m a former mechanical engineer turned corporate lawyer with a focus on advising entrepreneurs. I take a practical approach to my advice, which is generally geared towards maximizing my client’s growth, and relates to formation, management, protection of assets, financing, contracting, and sale of a business.

MY FAVORITE PARTS OF MY JOB

To me, the practice of business law is a lot like a complicated puzzle. I like to take an engineering approach-–essentially turning complicated systems into something more simple and manageable, with the most elegant solution often being the simplest. To me, that is at its peak when I am brainstorming with clients about various legal and business structures, or strategizing on the negotiation of a contract or transaction. Taking all of those pieces that don’t want to fit together, bringing elements to the table that I have experienced with past clients, and coming up with a customized solution for the particular client.

IF I WEREN’T A LEGALOPS MANAGER, I’D PROBABLY BE A…

Designer/Architect. I like making things, and can spend hours thinking about how I can make things better.

FUN STUFF

Pets: Really the newest kid – Nash, the fanciest little dog you ever met, but also the most loving

My non-work obsessions: Usually focus on creativity, the outdoors, wellness, and some occasional adrenaline – Cold plunging and dynamic thermal therapy, meditation and breathing, quantum physics, windsurfing, SUP surfing, windfoiling, Tennis, any family activity, hiking or doing anything outdoors, land stewardship and management, building and designing furniture and outbuildings, repairing all of my broken gear

Family: My wife (who helps Howell Legal with operations) and twin daughters

Who inspires me: Amos Fleisher, Wim Hof, Elon Musk, my clients

My favorite Providence restaurant: Burritos from Bagel Gourmet

BORING STUFF

Prior experience:

  • Partridge Snow & Hahn, Partner, Chair of Corporate Group, Providence, RI
  • Kalander, Shaw & Janney, Associate, Corporate Work, Providence, RI
  • Testa, Hurwitz & Thiubeault, LLC, Associate, Corporate Group, Boston, MA

Education:

  • Boston University School of Law, JD, cum laude (1999)
  • University of Pennsylvania, Bachelors of Engineering and Applied Science, Mechanical Engineering

Bar admissions:

  • Rhode Island
  • Massachusetts
  • New York

Ryan Juliano

VP of Platform, Attorney

WHAT I DO IN A COUPLE OF SENTENCES

I’m like a pediatrician for early-stage tech startups, optimizing their legal health for growth. I advise clients through critical transactions and everyday legal issues. Internally, I manage the platform of systems, processes, and tools that Howell Legal uses to improve efficiency, reliability, and client experience.

MY FAVORITE PARTS OF MY JOB

Empowerment! I love helping a client understand a complex issue or work through a negotiation impasse.

IF I WEREN’T A LEGALOPS MANAGER, I’D PROBABLY BE A…

LegalTech Product Manager

FUN STUFF

Pets: Group Captain Lionel Mandrake – a lively and fearless Wire Fox Terrier

My non-work obsessions: Pickleball, Americana music, the Rewatchables podcast, and my vegetable garden

Who inspires me: Naval Ravikant, Jim Collins, and every founder who takes the leap

My favorite Providence restaurant: Julian's

BORING STUFF

Prior experience:

  • Partridge Snow & Hahn, Associate, Corporate Group, Providence, RI
  • Kirkland & Ellis, Associate, Capital Markets Group and Private Equity Group, New York, NY and Palo Alto, CA

Education:

  • New York University School of Law, LL.M in Legal Theory (2010)
  • Cornell Law School, JD (2009)
  • Cornell University, BS (2006)

Bar admissions:

  • Rhode Island
  • California
  • New York

Anna Steele

Legal Operations Manager

WHAT I DO IN A COUPLE OF SENTENCES

I support the team in the delivery of legal services to our clients. From collecting signatures and drafting documents to building systems and processes to make our work more efficient, I help give our attorneys the tools they need to successfully serve their clients.

MY FAVORITE PARTS OF MY JOB

I am a tinkerer and a problem solver. I love working with our team to figure out how we can serve our clients through process refinement and introducing different tools into our existing workflows. I find the energy of our team and clients inspiring and enjoy seeing the direct impact of our work.

IF I WEREN’T A LEGALOPS MANAGER, I’D PROBABLY BE A…

Mentor at a university entrepreneurship program, government digital services advocate, or a kayak tour guide.

FUN STUFF

Pets: Rear Admiral Grace “Gracie” Hopper - Standard Poodle, Queen of Naps, lover of fetch

My non-work obsessions:  Anything that gets me out on the water, hiking, my hammock, and finding good places to eat

Who inspires me: My family, our team, good troublemakers

My favorite Providence restaurant: Still learning the food scene here, but can’t go wrong with a burrito from Bagel Gourmet

BORING STUFF

Prior experience: Just-Tech, New York, NY | Director of Consulting

Legal Assistance of Western New York, Geneva, NY | Technology Coordinator | Paralegal | AmeriCorps VISTA

Education: Hobart and William Smith Colleges | Bachelor of Arts in International Relations | cum laude | 2011

Monique Noel

Attorney

WHAT I DO IN A COUPLE OF SENTENCES

Leveraging both my in-house and law firm experience, I use a pragmatic and solutions-oriented approach in advising founders and early-stage companies on formations, corporate and commercial transactions, governance matters and other day-to-day legal and operational matters, with a particular focus on growing the business and proactively identifying and addressing key risks.  

MY FAVORITE PARTS OF MY JOB

Helping founders understand and successfully navigate the challenges that early-stage companies face at their formation and throughout their various stages of growth.

IF I WEREN’T A LEGALOPS MANAGER, I’D PROBABLY BE A…

Interior designer, singer/songwriter or (had I taken more science courses in college) a dermatologist.

FUN STUFF

Pets: Priam, a fluff ball of pure joy, smiles and mischief

My non-work obsessions: Tennis, running, trying challenging recipes, playing guitar/singing, overly-competitive card games with my family, horror movies and dabbling in songwriting  

Who inspires me: My family and Millennials

My favorite Providence restaurant: Capriccio

BORING STUFF

Prior experience:

  • Goodwin Procter LLP, Associate, Business Law Department, Life Sciences Group, Austin, TX
  • Emulate, Inc., General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Boston, MA
  • Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP, Corporate & Securities Group, Associate, Boston, MA
  • Ropes & Gray LLP, Asset Management Department, Investment Management Group, Associate, Boston, MA
  • JPMorgan Chase & Co., Legal Consultant, Boston, MA

Education:

  • The George Washington University Law School, JD, honors (May 2013)
  • Boston University, Bachelor of Arts in English, summa cum laude (May 2009)

Bar admissions:

  • Texas
  • Massachusetts

Katie Herdener

Attorney

WHAT I DO IN A COUPLE OF SENTENCES

I help clients implement strategic processes, policies, and templates to navigate regulatory environments and drive efficiency.  My broad experience as in-house counsel for innovative technology companies has provided me with a deep understanding of the constraints and challenges businesses face throughout their lifecycle.  I use that experience to develop practical and tailored solutions, so clients can focus on growing their businesses. 

MY FAVORITE PARTS OF MY JOB

I love learning about the unique passions and priorities that drive each client’s mission and business practices. This allows me to use my own skills and passions to help clients pursue theirs.

IF I WEREN’T A LEGALOPS MANAGER, I’D PROBABLY BE A…

Owner/operator of a therapeutic equestrian center.

FUN STUFF

Pets: Rex, King of the Herdener household.

My non-work obsessions: Getting out on the water by boat board, or scuba diving under it.  90s country music. My burgeoning yoga practice. Pickled vegetables.

Who inspires me: Moms, and anyone who can maintain thriving house plants.

My favorite Providence restaurant:  TBD, but looking for recommendations! 

BORING STUFF

Prior Experience:

  • EmeraldX, Legal Director
  • Opendoor Technologies, Associate General Counsel
  • Verizon, Corporate Attorney
  • Aol., Corporate Attorney
  • Rosetta Stone, Corporate Counsel

Education:

  • California Western School of Law, JD, cum laude (December 2012)
  • The University of Georgia, BBA. (May 2009)

Bar Admissions:

  • California 
  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland