Our Team

James D. (Jason) Farwell

Jason has been practicing law since 2005 and represents and advises clients in transactional matters.  He has a general civil law practice, handling business, real estate and estate planning matters.

Prior to practicing law, Jason owned a successful restaurant and bar as well as worked in the Santa Clara University athletic department as the NCAA compliance officer.  He is currently SCU’s head coach of the men’s crew team.

Education

  • J.D., Santa Clara University School of Law
  • B.A., History, Santa Clara University

Bar Admissions 

  • California

Areas of Practice

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate and Trust Administration
  • Real Estate Transactions
  • Lease Review and Negotiation
  • Business Law
Craig B. Rashkis

Craig has been practicing law since 2002 representing clients in both transactional and litigation matters. His practice involves the representation of alcohol beverage manufacturers and suppliers in general business and alcohol beverage law matters as well the representation of general and specialty trade contractors in a variety of business and construction law related issues. Craig acts as outside general counsel to different businesses and mediates disputes of various sizes and complexities.

Prior to practicing law, Craig was an accomplished brewer, winning a gold and silver medal at the 1994 Great American Beer Festival while with Boston Beer Works/Slesar Bros. Brewing Company. He was also an apprentice coffee roaster and tea blender with Freed, Teller & Freed’s Coffee and Tea in San Francisco.

Outside of his law practice, Craig enjoys life with his wife and children. He is an avid swimmer, enjoys road trips and likes to hunt waterfowl and upland game with his dog, Tucker.

Education

  • J.D., Santa Clara University School of Law
  • M.D.R. (Master of Dispute Resolution), Pepperdine University School of Law, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution
  • B.A., Philosophy, Santa Clara University

 Bar Admissions and Other Memberships

  • California
  • Wisconsin
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of California
  • California Craft Brewers Association (Allied Trade Member)
  • California Artisanal Distillers Guild (Associate Member)

Areas of Practice

Matthew A. Powelson

Matt is Of Counsel with Farwell Rashkis and handles the firm’s intellectual property matters, including the preparation and filing of applications to register trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He has been practicing law since 2000 and is a recognized leader in his practice areas of trademark, anti-counterfeit, and transactional law. For Farwell Rashkis, Matt performs work on behalf of clients in the alcohol beverage, food product, and consumer goods industries.

In addition to performing work for Farwell Rashkis, Matt is the principal of his own law practice and was previously a partner at an IP boutique firm in addition to working in house as corporate counsel at a semiconductor company in Mountain View, California.

Outside of his law practice, Matt enjoys spending time with his family and being involved in various recreational pursuits such as overlanding, pottery, photography, and vintage car collecting.

Education

  • J.D., Santa Clara University
  • B.A., University of Georgia

Bar Admissions and Other Memberships

  • California
  • California Lawyers Association

Area of Practice

  • Copyright, Trademarks and Trade Secrets
Nicole Null

Nicole joined Farwell Rashkis in 2015. While initially acting in a general paralegal support role, she quickly started to pick up the ins and outs of alcohol beverage licensing and permitting. 

Today, Nicole is an integral part of the firm, handling all of the state and federal level licensing and permitting needs of our alcohol beverage clients. She also researches and evaluates various licensing and trade practice questions as well as interacts with members of the ABC and TTB regularly.

In addition to her paralegal duties, Nicole is heavily involved in the day-to-day operation and administration of the firm, speaking with clients, vendors, lawyers, and court staff on any number of subjects.

Outside of work, Nicole enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and their dog, River.  She is an avid supporter of our local Quakes soccer as well as a fan of the Chicago Cubs.

Education

  • B.S. in Business Administration from Old Dominion University
  • A.A. in Paralegal Studies from DeAnza College

Areas of Focus and Support

  • Licensing and Trade Practice Research and Evaluation (Alcohol Beverage)
  • ABC Licensing Applications (Alcohol Beverage)
  • TTB Permit Applications (Alcohol Beverage)
  • COLA Applications (Alcohol Beverage)
  • Document Collation and Document Recordation (Estate Planning)
  • General Litigation Support
  • Firm Administration