Dustin S. DuBois

Dustin DuBois is a partner in Ice Miller’s business group and serves as Co-Chair of its Software, e-Commerce, and Technology Transactions (SeCT) practice. His practice focuses on three primary areas: representing software companies, representing companies and organizations procuring important software and technology, and deals such as mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and venture capital financing.

For software companies – For more than 20 years, Dustin has guided dozens of software company clients, including best-of-class SaaS platform companies, in the development and negotiation of their business contracts, including:

• form contract documents
• reseller and partner contracts
• development agreements
• negotiation of customer agreements
• establish and carry out patent and other IP strategies
• direct privacy, data security, maintenance, and support standards

Dustin’s clients regularly utilize him both as the primary negotiator of all customer and partner contracts, as well as in a support role for more complex negotiations or higher-dollar agreements. He has negotiated contracts with many of the largest companies in the world, working with their counsel to achieve a more favorable agreement for Ice Miller clients.

For organizations procuring important software platforms or products: Dustin helps clients with mission-critical software procurement from RFP development and proposal review to negotiation of licenses, subscriptions, and implementation (systems integration) agreements. If (when) things go wrong, he is experienced with helping to steer the project back on track or, when necessary, work with the Ice Miller litigation team.

• RFP development – to assure key business requirements are included and other business needs are identified from the start
• Review and negotiation of master agreements 
      o     Software licenses, subscription (SaaS) agreements
      o    Professional services – implementation, systems integration agreements
      o    SOWs, SLAs, other ancillary documents

Often, companies will only navigate a handful of truly mission-critical software platform implementation projects through the careers of its C-suite, CIO or CTO, and internal IT personnel. Dustin provides leaders with experienced guidance through the process, making sure the vendors’ contracts and related documents provide ample incentives and teeth to keep the project on time and on budget, and systems functioning properly (to requirements/specification). Dustin regularly works with client personnel and consultants to build robust statements of work (SOWs) and other technical documents that assure clients that, when problems transpire, they are contemplated by the contract and course corrections can be quickly made with minimal impact to the timeline and budget.