About

I am a native of Northern Virginia. I obtained my Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Virginia Tech and my Juris Doctorate from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. I was admitted to practice law in Virginia in 2010, the District of Columbia in 2012, and Maryland in 2025.

I am a partner at Dunlap, Bennett & Ludwig PLLC, a mid-size law firm based in Northern Virginia with offices around the country and attorneys licensed to practice law in most of the jurisdictions where our nation’s business centers are located. My firm represents businesses and business owners in a broad spectrum of business law matters: intellectual property (patents, trademarks, and copyright), government contracting and compliance, dispute resolution and litigation, commercial lending, real estate, immigration, estate and succession planning, and of course, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, and general counsel.

When I am not working, I’m usually spending my time with my wife and kids or hacking up the golf course. I also love travel, fitness, sports, cars, motorcycles, sailing, and the stock market, although these hobbies get far less attention than they used to.

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Mergers and Acquisitions

I represent entrepreneurs and business owners through critical transitions in their company’s lifecycle. On the sell side, I provide trusted counsel to founders navigating the complex process of selling the businesses they built, guiding them through negotiations and ensuring their legacies and interests are protected. I also advise entrepreneurs pursuing growth through acquisition, whether they are first-time buyers seeking entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA), established business owners expanding their existing operations, or experienced operators building portfolios. With a deep understanding of both sides of the transaction table, I deliver practical, efficient, counsel that helps clients achieve their strategic objectives while managing the legal complexities inherent in mergers and acquisitions.

Representative Matters:

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$35,000,000 sale of an intelligence sector government contractor to private equity

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$29,000,000 sale of healthcare sector government contractor to private equity

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$26,000,000 sale of a regional remodeling company to private equity

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$7,500,000 sale of an 8(a) government contractor to another 8(a) government contractor

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$11,000,000 sale of a software company to private equity

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$10,700,000 sale of an SDVOSB to a service disabled veteran

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$11,000,000 sale of a software company to private equity

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$15,500,000 sale of software/IT services government contractor to private equity

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$16,000,000 sale of an IT services government contractor to private equity

Venture Capital

I advise startups and entrepreneurs on strategically raising capital to launch and scale their businesses. Drawing on experience across financing stages, from pre-seed to seed and growth capital raises, I guide clients through the full spectrum of funding instruments, including equity offerings, debt financing, SAFEs (Simple Agreements for Future Equity), and convertible notes. I help entrepreneurs navigate critical decisions about valuation, dilution, investor rights, and deal terms, while ensuring compliance with federal and state securities regulations. Whether working with first-time founders navigating their initial raise or serial entrepreneurs executing sophisticated multi-stage financings, I deliver practical, client-focused, counsel that balances legal compliance with commercial objectives, enabling clients to raise capital efficiently while maintaining control over their companies’ trajectories.

Representative Matters:

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$3,000,000 seed financing for an AI startup from venture capital

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$2,500,000 seed financing for a SaaS startup raised from strategic investors

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$1,750,000 seed financing for a SaaS startup raised from venture capital

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$250,000 SAFE and $1,250,000 seed financing for a robotics startup raised from an international venture capital firm

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$1,500,000 structured debt financing raised from private equity

General Counsel

I serve as outside general counsel to entrepreneurs and growing companies, providing comprehensive legal support across the full spectrum of general corporate matters. From entity formation and structural decisions at inception through long-term succession planning, I act as a trusted strategic advisor who understands both the legal landscape and the practical realities of building and operating a business. I advise clients on contract negotiation and drafting, corporate governance and compliance, board and shareholder matters, equity compensation and incentive plans, employment agreements and workplace policies, intellectual property protection, and business succession strategies. By serving as an extension of clients’ leadership teams, I deliver proactive, cost-effective counsel that anticipates issues before they become problems, enables informed decision-making at critical junctures, and allows business owners to focus on growth while maintaining confidence that their corporate foundation is sound. Whether handling routine corporate maintenance or navigating complex strategic decisions, I provide the reliable, responsive guidance that entrepreneurs need to build sustainable, legally compliant businesses positioned for long-term success.

Representative Matters:

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Business formation and advice on appropriate corporate form, structure, and jurisdiction

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Employment agreements and equity compensation plans (stock and options plans, phantom equity, profits interests, change of control bonus plans)

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Contract drafting, review, and negotiation

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Seller financed management buyout of international consulting firm

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Sale of 25% of the stock of a custom home building company to a key employee

Dave B

“We greatly appreciate all the great support we received from you during our successful deal. I’d highly recommend you to anyone considering of the sale of their business.”

Joe M

“I cannot begin to tell you how excellent and flawless the experience and service were. Wright was attentive to my situation and quickly worked to resolve it with a quick consultative solution process.”

Justin B

“Wright is a great business advisor. I write “business advisor”, rather than “attorney”, because he does so much more. He puts himself in the client’s shoes and can see solutions beyond the contract, bringing multi-disciplinary skills, experience, and curiosity to every matter. We’ve worked together for years and he has become invaluable in helping my clients and our firm as a whole. I cannot recommend him highly enough.”

New Year, New Business: Legal Considerations for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

February 2, 2026

How to Attract and Retain Employees During the Great Resignation: Part 3 – Phantom Stock

February 2, 2026

How to Attract and Retain Employees During the Great Resignation: Part 2 – Restricted Stock

February 2, 2026