“I enjoy working with businesses and entrepreneurs who have a passion for what they do.”

General & Corp Counsel Legal Services

Fractional legal services, strategies, solutions, and implementation to real world situations.

Products, Services, and Infrastructure Industries

Legal and commercial services, consulting, and work product for many industries and commercial operations.

Executive, Admin, & Operations Assistance

Assisting leadership with a wide range of business management consulting and implementation.

Conatus – a natural tendency, impulse, or striving inclination of a thing to exist and enhance itself.  I believe that the businesses and industries I work with, and their owners and staff, have such natural tendencies to not only exist and grow, but the opportunity to sustain and flourish. Conatus Counsel is here to assist those objectives by providing strategic comprehensive general counsel, business legal and law, and related commercial services. Conatus Counsel strives to go above and beyond traditional law firm structure and “legal services” by taking into account each Client’s desired goals and needed resource allocation, through “fractional general and corporate counsel” services, consulting, and implementation. In addition to legal services, I have experience as a conglomerate COO and can assistance companies with operational management and decision making. 

Focusing on passion and social impact endeavors, including, but not limited to, outdoor recreation (“OREC”), mobility, food and beverage, alcohol, technology, energy, construction and development, retail, hospitality, manufacturing and distribution, health and wellness - products, services, and infrastructure.  Forrest’s compilation of applicable personal, academic, and professional experiences and connections to and in the industries and clientele, gives him intimate expertise with all matters of legal and business for such clientele. 

Conatus Counsel is not just a law firm, but provides real world business and commercial consulting and strategies as well as industry specific advocacy and government affairs services, above and beyond legal. Conatus Counsel’s principal, Forrest Merithew, aims to provide competent, fair, and honest services for clients through long-term relationships that foster growth, success, and protection for all involved. Forrest’s diversity of practical experiences and interests provides Conatus Counsel with highly developed legal abilities and creative problem solving for the modern business world. Conatus Counsel works with people,  brands, and businesses throughout the world. 

  • "I've been working with Forrest over the last decade on a variety of legal matters, ranging from contracts to trademarks to acquisitions, and I think of him much more than just a lawyer, he's a business partner who deeply cares about his clients. Not only does he possess a wealth of knowledge and business acumen, he's also genuinely great to work with and he's reasonably priced. As a small business owner, it's comforting having someone like Forrest on my team."

    Bill Johnston - Founder and Manager, Recover Brands and Purchaser and Manager, Blue Ridge Chair Works

  • “Forrest has been an invaluable asset to our team, providing comprehensive legal services tailored to our commercial needs. His expertise has been a significant factor in our successful navigation of complex legal landscapes. Forrest stands out for his ability to make intricate legal concepts understandable and manageable, which has been crucial in helping our team make informed decisions quickly and effectively. His approach to legal counsel is not only thorough but also cost-effective, offering us one of the best returns on investment we have experienced in professional services. Forrest's dedication and proficiency have led us to view him as an integral part of our team. Conatus Counsel has been a key player in our success, and we are more than satisfied with the quality and efficiency of his work and are glad to have him as our legal partner."

    Jason Kraft - Founder and Principal, Electric Bike Technologies, Liberty Trike, and E-Bike Kit

  • “Forrest's experience across multiple kinds of law is incredibly helpful. I have always felt like I was a partner in the process, vs. being talked down to or made to feel stupid as has been an experience in past attorney relations. Forrest is affordable and worth more than every dollar I’ve invested in his time and resources. I would recommend Forrest 10/10.”

    Stacy Bare - US Military Veteran, Filmmaker, Non-Profit ED, and all around Outdoor Recreation promoter and person

  • "Forrest’s advice, counsel, and work has always been very much appreciated and continues to protect Tentsile’s brand, reputation, and IP. His outdoor recreation industry network, work, and related commitments, including environmental, are exceptional and part of the value. It has been nothing but a pleasure working with Forrest and Conatus Counsel for the past 10 years. I would highly recommend their services and Forrest as a person."

    Alex Shirley-Smith, Founder and Principal, Tentsile Tree Tents (1% for the Planet Business and Veritree partner)

  • "As an entrepreneur with a growing business, I have been grateful to have the support of Forrest and Conatus Counsel over the years. Forrest has provided us with excellent advice and counsel on myriad business matters. At Onus iV Therapy + Longevity, Forrest is seen more as a member of the team than an outside consultant. We are very grateful to work together!"

    Kristy Anderson - Founder and President, Onus iV Therapy + Longevity Businesses and Franchise

  • "Forrest is a trusted consultant, advisor and true partner in what we are trying to do as a company and to do good through business. In addition to his legal expertise and knowledge, Forrest's personal care, commitment and dedication to our company and the planet set him apart from the field."

    Ben Colvin - Founder and President, Devil’s Foot Beverage Company and Devil’s Foot Distillery (Conservation Alliance Business Member)

  • "I have worked with Forrest on a variety of advocacy projects over the last 6 years and he has proven to be an effective advocate for outdoor recreation and conservation. From lobbying policymakers in DC to publishing opinion pieces, Forrest has a very strong grasp of the issues, is connected to an extensive network of advocates, and is always ready to represent and protect the interests of the outdoor recreation community."

    Jason Keith - Managing Director, Public Land Solutions

  • “Forrest's strong commitment to the OREC industry is evident in his passion for improving public lands, recreation infrastructure, and natural resource management, as well as his active involvement with and passion for trade associations. His extensive outdoor industry experience and general responsiveness make him an invaluable partner to Darby Communications. With Forrest's expert guidance, we have established a well-structured and efficiently run agency. We highly recommend his legal and advocacy services to other outdoor industry professionals, brands, and NGOs.”

    Coral Darby – Founder and President of Darby Communications: PR and Digital Marketing for the Outdoor Industry

  • "Conatus Counsel is a tireless student of the OREC Industry from the big corporations to the small startup. Its knowledge base as to the outdoor recreation industry, related business and legal expertise, and how National legislation can impact business operations is crucial to growing and maintaining an OREC business. When I am buried deep in business management, I know that I can count on Conatus Counsel to keep me informed on the world around me and how it will affect my decisions."

    Greg Mazu - Founder of Singletrack Trails, Founder and Principal of Backslope Tools and Tools for Trails goes here