Professional Background
I have over 35 years of experience working with companies, investors and lenders in connection with equity fund-raising, venture lending transactions, venture capital and private equity funds, portfolio investments, and other related matters.
Representative Experience With Emerging Companies
- Represented a digital media and marketing company in its acquisition by a Canadian public company.
- Represented an online legal technology company as the borrower in a venture loan transaction in excess of $100 million.
- Represented an African social impact company in its Series B raise.
- Represented commercial banks in numerous capital call facilities for venture capital funds.
- Represented numerous investors (funds and individuals) in venture-based equity and convertible debt investments in startup companies.
- Represented companies and investors in many of the early Asia-based venture transactions, including the Series A round for Alibaba and the IPO for NetEase.
Areas of Focus
- Venture-stage and later equity-based financing
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Venture funds and private equity funds
- Commercial loan transactions, including venture loans and capital call facilities
- Securities
- Procurement and outsourcing
My Advice to Entrepreneurs
- Although you have a lot going on, it’s important to spend time and effort to understand your legal situation—particularly with respect to financings.
- Small mistakes in financing terms can end up costing a lot later on, and sometimes things that sound reasonable on their face turn out to be unfair or disadvantageous.
- Find advisors who have the experience, and will take the time, to help you think through your particular situation.
- Nothing is truly “cookie-cutter.”