Heather focuses on private equity and venture capital and is Chair of the Firm's Fund Formation practice group. She has 20 years of experience in a range of domestic and cross-border corporate and securities transactions and fund formation work. Heather has represented many private equity firms, as well as many growth-oriented software, emerging technology and media companies in all stages of development, from start-ups to multi-national public companies. Heather has been voted by Digital Industry as the "Best General Lawyer for a High-Tech Firm", and has been designated a"Super Lawyer" by Law & Politics and Boston Magazine. In addition, Heather serves on the Executive Advisory Board of the Thunderbird Global Private Equity Center.
Heather has extensive experience working with start up companies and entrepreneurs as they form and grow their businesses. This focus area is supported by the Firm's Helping Innovators Thrive (HIT) program (hit.edwardswildman.com) which provides support and affordable access to strategic legal advice for qualifying entrepreneurs and young companies.
Notable Experience
· Heather has advised private equity fund managers, institutional investors and investment advisors on a broad range of fund formation, buyout/separation, internal governance and portfolio investment matters.
· She has represented private and public companies in buy and sell-side acquisition engagements.
· Heather has also represented issuers, underwriters and placement agents in public and private equity and debt financings.
Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications Heather is an active lecturer on private equity, corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions topics, and has had articles on these topics published in American Venture, Women's Business and other notable publications. She is frequently quoted in such publications as The Boston Business Journal, The Deal, Entrepreneur, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity International and the Venture Capital Journal. Heather frequently teaches for the Kauffman Fellows Program, as well as at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, in Babson College's MBA program in the University of Maryland's MBA program and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School of Business. Some of Heather's recent speaking engagements and publications include:
· "Private Equity, Service Provider Due Diligence and DOL and IRS Audits," ERISA Breakfast Series, Boston Conference, Webinar, May 2012 (panelist).
· "Where are LP's Looking for Alpha in the Decade Ahead," Thunderbird 8th Annual Global Private Equity Investing Conference, Glendale, AZ, April 2012 (panelist).
· "ILPA Principles Review" and "ILPA Case Studies: The Waterfall of Returns and Key Person Provision; Management Fee Debate," National Association of Securities Professionals, Los Angeles, CA, March 2012 (panelist).
· "Becoming a Public Company," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, March 2012.
· "The IPO Process," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, March 2012.
· "PE Managers as Registered Investment Advisors," co-author, Journal of Private Equity, Winter 2011.
· "Becoming a Public Company," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, November 2011.
· "The IPO Process," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, November 2011.
· "The Venture Capital Term Sheet," Master of Business Administration, Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, Durham, NC, November 2011.
· "SEC Issues Final Rules on Form PF; Reporting Obligations of Investment Advisers," co-author, Edwards Wildman Palmer Client Advisory, November 2011.
· "SEC Registration," SBIC CFO Conference, Chicago, IL, September 2011 (moderator).
· LP Panel on "Current Fundraising Environment," Women's Association of Venture & Equity, Washington, DC, September 2011 (panelist).
· "Becoming a Public Company," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, May 2011.
· "Limited Partners' Perspectives Event," Women's Association of Venture & Equity, New York, NY, April 2011 (panelist).
· "The IPO Process," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, April 2011.
· "Evolving Partnership Structures in the New Normal," Thunderbird 7th Annual Global Private Equity Investing Conference, Glendale, AZ, April 2011 (moderator).
· "ILPA Principles," National Association of Securities Professionals, Los Angeles, CA, January 2011 (panelist).
· "How Venture Capital Fund Managers May Avoid Investment Adviser Registration . . . But Not Reporting," co-author, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, November 2010.
· "Becoming a Public Company," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, November 2010.
· "The IPO Process," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, November 2010.
· "Many Private Fund Managers Must Register as Investment Advisers Under Financial Reform Legislation," co-author, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, July 2010.
· "Private Fund Managers Will See Increased Regulation -- Congress to Reconcile Differences Between House and Senate Bills," co-author, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, June 2010.
· "The Venture Capital Term Sheet," WE Master of Business Administration, Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, Durham, NC, June 2010.
· "Becoming a Public Company," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, May 2010.
· "The IPO Process," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, April 2010.
· "Risk & Due Diligence in the New Economy," Thunderbird 6th Annual Global Private Equity Investing Conference, Glendale, AZ, April 2010 (moderator).
· "Better Structuring - Deeper Dive into Term Sheets," Golden Seeds, March 23, 2010.
· "Capital Structure of Early Stage Companies," Golden Seeds, March 23, 2010.
· "What VCs Need to Know About Attracting Foreign Investors and the Unique Relationship Issues Which May Result," ExecuSense Webinar, March 4, 2010.
· "What CEOs and CFOs of VC-Backed Companies Need to Know Before Signing a Term Sheet in 2010," ExecuSense Webinar, February 26, 2010.
· "Private Equity Firms as Borrowers and Providers of Credit Support," Food for Thought Breakfast Series, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP, February 26, 2010.
· "Outlook 2010," The Boston Business Journal, January 8, 2010 (quoted).
· "Becoming a Public Company," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, November 2009.
· "The IPO Process," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, November 2009.
· "Five Key Steps to Raising Capital for Private Equity Funds," Inside the Minds: Raising Capital for Private Equity Funds, Aspatore Books, October 2009.
· "The Venture Capital Term Sheet," Master of Business Administration, Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, Durham, NC, October 2009.
· "The Venture Capital Term Sheet," WE Master of Business Administration, Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, Durham, NC, August 2009.
· "A modest proposal," PEI Manager, August 2009 (quoted).
· "The Carlyle Group Settles with New York Attorney General: Result is New Code of Conduct Governing Relationships Between Private Equity Firms and Public Pension Funds Across the Country," co-author, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, June 2009.
· "Understanding the Impact of the Carlyle Group's Settlement on New Rules of Conduct for VC/PE Employees," Reed Seminars, Sausalito, CA, May 22, 2009.
· "Understanding the Impact of SEC Charges Against Aldus Equity and Saul Meyer," Reed Seminars, Sausalito, CA, May 6, 2009.
· "Becoming a Public Company," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, May 2009.
· "The IPO Process," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, April 2009.
· "The Venture Capital Term Sheet," Master of Business Administration, Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, Durham, NC, April 2009.
· "The Secondary Market: Reaching Liquidity," Thunderbird 5th Annual Global Private Equity Investing Conference, Glendale, AZ, March 2009 (moderator).
· "Pendulum Swings Back to Limited Partners," BUYOUTS, January 19, 2009 (quoted).
· "Becoming a Public Company," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, November 2008.
· "The IPO Process," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, November 2008.
· "Need to Know," BUYOUTS, November 3, 2008 (quoted).
· "The Venture Capital Term Sheet," Master of Business Administration, Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, Durham, NC, October 2008.
· "The Venture Capital Term Sheet," WE Master of Business Administration, Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, Durham, NC, July 2008.
· "Orion seeks $250M, eyes foreign-biotech investing," The Boston Business Journal, May 23, 2008 (quoted).
· "Understanding Your Clients' Venture Capital Legal Needs in 2008: Video Seminar Featuring Insights From Top Lawyers, VCs and Executives on Deal Strategies, Landing More Clients & Billable Opportunities," PR Inside, May 8, 2008.
· "Becoming a Public Company," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, May 2008.
· "The IPO Process," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, April 2008.
· "Global Fundraising Discussion," Thunderbird 4th Annual Global Private Equity Investing Conference, Glendale, AZ, April 2008.
· M&A Alerts, January 2008 (interview).
· "Hot Topics Relating to Early Stage Investing and Traps to Avoid," NVCA 2nd Annual Early Stage Venture Capital Networking Dinner, Cambridge, MA, January 2008.
· "Raising a Fund Under $1 Billion: Challenges and Strategies," M&A East Conference, Philadelphia, PA, November 2007 (panelist).
· "Becoming a Public Company," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, November 2007.
· "The IPO Process," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, November 2007.
· "The Venture Capital Term Sheet," Master of Business Administration, Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, Durham, NC, October 2007.
· "The Venture Capital Term Sheet," Master of Business Administration, Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, Durham, NC, September 2007.
· "The Venture Capital Term Sheet," WE Master of Business Administration, Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, Durham, NC, September 2007.
· "Gaining Room to Maneuver," Private Equity HUB, September 24, 2007 (quoted).
· "J.W. Childs fund problems may hint at larger issues," The Boston Business Journal, July 5, 2007 (quoted).
· "The IPO Process," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, May 2007.
· "Becoming a Public Company," Innovative Businesses and New Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business, Cambridge, MA, May 2007.
· "Private Equity and Hedge Funds," 6th Annual MCCA (Minority Corporate Counsel Association) CLE Expo, Chicago, IL, March 2007 (panelist).
· "Stages of Venture Capital Investment," Duke Venture Capital Law Association, Duke Law School, Durham, NC, February 2007 (panelist).
News & Publications
November 2011, Client Advisory - SEC Issues Final Rules on Form PF; Reporting Obligations of Investment Advisers
June 2011, Client Advisory - SEC Issues Final Rules on Exemptions for Managers of Venture Capital Funds and Other Funds with Less Than $150 Million in Assets
Registration for Non-Exempt Advisers Postponed Until March 30, 2012
November 2010, Client Advisory - How Venture Capital Fund Managers May Avoid Investment Adviser Regulation . . . But Not Reporting
Fund Managers Should Submit Comments to the SEC
July 2010, Client Advisory - Many Private Fund Managers Must Register as Investment Advisers under Financial Reform Legislation
June 2010, Client Advisory - Private Fund Managers Will See Increased Regulation -- Congress to Reconcile Differences Between House and Senate Bills
April 13, 2010, EAPD Named Among Top 25 Leading Law Firms by the 2010 Prequin Global Private Equity Report
October 2009, Raising Capital for Private Equity Funds
June 2009, Client Advisory - The Carlyle Group Settles with New York Attorney General
Result is New Code of Conduct Governing Relationships Between Private Equity Firms and Public Pension Funds Across the Country
November 1, 2006, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Attorneys Honored as Massachusetts Super Lawyers
July 1, 2006, Leverage an Effective Board to Reap the Value of Experience, Expertise
Boston Women's Business
February 23, 2006, A look at term sheets reveals latest trends in funding
Boston Business Journal
2006, What a CEO and CFO Need to Know Before Signing a Term Sheet
Heather Stone Leads Video Leadership Seminar
December 1, 2005, Evaluate Deal on Terms, not Valuation
Boston Women's Business - The Professional and Business Women's Journal
July 1, 2005, Take Flight - Looking for capital? Consider looking abroad. International investors can provide funding--and much more
June 1, 2005, The need for seed
The 2005 Report on Canadian Private Equity
April 15, 2005, Several local VCs to raise new funds
Boston Business Journal
March 2005, Succession Planning Gains Importance
Venture Capital Journal
February 17, 2005, Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault Lawyers Join Edwards & Angell
Edwards & Angell
Events
May 3, 2012, Boston, MA, Private Equity, Service Provider Due Diligence and DOL and IRS Audits
ERISA Breakfast Series Boston Conference
April 4-5, 2012, Glendale, AZ, Thunderbird 8th Annual Global Private Equity Conference
April 28, 2011, New York, NY, Women's Association of Venture & Equity, Inc. LP Panel
April 6 - 7, 2011, Glendale, AZ, Thunderbird 7th Annual Global Private Equity Investing Conference
April 7 - 9, 2010, Glendale, AZ, Thunderbird's 6th Annual Global Private Equity Investing Conference
February 26, 2010, What CEOs and Management Teams of VC-Funded Companies Need to Know Before Signing a Term Sheet in 2010
January 28, 2008, Boston, MA, National Venture Capital Association's Early Stage VC-Only Networking Dinner
December 7, 2006 - December 7, 2006, It's Reigning Women
Top Women Rainmakers and Executives Building Successful Practices
June 13, 2006 - June 14, 2006, New York, NY, 3rd Annual Plan Sponsor & Minority Manager Consortium
Scoring With Minority Managers
March 21, 2006, AeA Venture Forum - Investment, Technology, Success
Before Edwards Wildman
Prior to joining the Firm, Heather was a partner at Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault in Boston. While in law school, Heather was the Articles Editor and the Chairman of the Selection Committee for the Duke Journal of Comparative & International Law.
Besides Edwards Wildman
Heather is a board or advisory committee member of several non-profit groups and for-profit companies, including the New England Dressage Association, the oldest and largest group member organization of the United States Dressage Federation and Lovelane Special Needs Horseback Riding Program, which provides high-quality therapeutic horseback riding to achieve occupational, physical, speech, cognitive and other therapeutic gains in children with special needs. Heather is also a member of The Boston Club, the area's largest organization for high-achieving and professional women, and the Boston Athenæum, one of the oldest and most distinguished independent libraries in the United States.
Industries
· Broadcasting
· Technology
· Telecommunications
· Life Sciences
Membership
· American Bar Association - Section of Business Law
· Boston Bar Association
· The Boston Club
· European Venture Capital Association
· Massachusetts Bar Association
· National Venture Capital Association
· WAVE - Women's Association of Venture and Equity