Venture Capital and Private Equity

Our experience crosses industries and geography - we have assisted in transactions domestically and internationally involving numerous industries - and we have particular success bridging the gap between coastal capital and Midwestern investment opportunities.

Fund Formation

We have experience representing diverse funds, including venture capital and private equity funds, both domestic and international, on their formation terms and issues. We help our fund clients raise capital by working with fund sponsors, institutional investors, fund investors and individual investors. We advise on:

• Capital structuring 
• Vesting terms
• Ownership structure and vesting terms
• Compensation structure
• Internal governance and procedures

We have experience representing both fund clients and investors, so we understand client concerns on both sides of the transaction. We will advise on the practical aspects of organizing and operating a fund while capturing the pulse of market conditions and identifying the relative bargaining power of all interested parties. Our cross-disciplinary team advises on issues in corporate finance, ERISA, securities, fiduciary duties, disclosure requirements and transactional litigation. Our tax attorneys have broad experience in domestic and offshore fund formation and advise clients on the benefits of each particular jurisdiction and fund structure.

Life-Cycle Deal Experience

Our attorneys represent private equity funds involved in acquiring majority interests in target companies; venture capital sources in diverse deal-stage investments in high-growth companies; and high growth companies interested in obtaining investments from diverse capital sources. Our attorneys also provide outside counsel services to portfolio companies owned by private equity companies.

We represent both growth-oriented companies and private equity firms in venture capital and other private equity transactions. Our business finance attorneys are involved with all stages of private equity ranging from seed capital to venture capital to mature private equity transactions, including management and other leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations.

Through our consistent presence in the private equity marketplace, we are able to advise our growth-oriented clients regarding investment transactional trends and the terms and availability of competing sources of funding. Our experience handling all phases of venture capital financing allows us to assist clients in structuring early rounds of financing and the flexibility to accommodate later round investors.

Additionally, we perform legal audits for growth-oriented companies to help ensure that their legal affairs are ready for the scrutiny of venture capitalists and private equity. In our ongoing representation of emerging companies, we make introductions to venture capital firms and mezzanine and senior debt lenders where appropriate, and assist with the procurement of government incentives, including tax credits.