Les practices in the areas of private equity financings, emerging companies, mergers and acquisitions, securities and general corporate law. Les counsels domestic and foreign corporations on a variety of securities transactions, including public and private offerings of equity and debt, tender offers, proxy contests, going private transactions and recapitalizations. Les also advises start-up companies and entrepreneurs, venture capital companies, underwriters and sellers and purchasers of businesses. Les is Co-Chair of the Firm's Life Sciences Practice Group. He is the Chairman of the 2012 BioFlorida Annual Conference, being held October 7-9, 2012 in Miami, Florida.
Les 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
· Les counsels numerous technology-based growth companies in a variety of transactions, including venture capital financings, strategic alliances, licenses, development and supply and distribution arrangements.
· Les has handled several public and private securities offerings for Dor BioPharma, Inc.
· He represented Charge.com, Inc. in connection with its merger into Pipeline Data, Inc., valued at $17 million.
· He prepared and negotiated the closing documents for The Box Worldwide, Inc. in connection with the sale of its United Kingdom subsidiary to EMAP plc. Les also advised this company in its merger with TCI Music, Inc., valued at $38.5 million.
· HotOffice Technologies, Inc. was represented by Les in connection with several venture capital financings in excess of $40 million.
· Les negotiated the terms of the going private transaction of Oriole Homes Corp. valued at $15 million and prepared the documents filed with the SEC in connection with this transaction.
· Les guided Consolidated Water Company Limited, a Cayman Islands corporation, through its initial public offering of securities in the United States as well as two subsequent public offerings.
Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications
· Throughout the course of his career, Les has regularly spoken to members of Biotech, Electronics and Public Corporation Associations at conferences and seminars on a host of subjects including corporate agreements, SEC disclosure documents, liability and web site disclosures, corporate governance and due diligence for biotech companies.
· He is also a frequent lecturer on the public offering process. Les has been a panelist at the Florida Venture Capital Forum, discussing such topics as intellectual property, licensing and venture capital term sheets.
· "Advancing Your Business Through Public Policy," moderator, BioFlorida's 12th Annual Conference, Grand Lakes, Florida, November 4 - 6, 2009.
· "Venture Capital Funding," moderator, EDC's 7th Annual Life Sciences Conference - BIOTECH 2008, University Park, Florida, April 24, 2008.
· "Physical and Chemical Sensor and Diagnostic Technologies," moderator, Florida Innovation Showcase 2008, Orlando, Florida, March 19 - 20, 2008.
· "Attracting Angel Investments," moderator, The 4th Annual Florida Tech Transfer Conference, Miami, Florida, May 29 - 30, 2007.
· "SEC Permits (and May Require) Proxy Solicitations on the Internet," co-author, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, February 5, 2007.
· "Terremark working on its internal control issues," quoted, The South Florida Business Journal, July 8, 2005.
· SEC's Atkins: Reduce costs to comply," quoted, The South Florida Business Journal, June 24, 2005.
· "Audit Committee Responsibilities under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act," panelist, The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Miami, Florida, May 2005.
· "Scripps is Catalyst for Florida's Life Sciences Industry," co-author, Venture Capital Journal, March 2005.
· "SEC Bends to Complaints Over New Filing Deadlines," quoted, The South Florida Business Journal, December 2004.
· "Conference Planned to Link Venture Capitalists, Scripps," quoted, The Palm Beach Post, March 2004.
News & Publications
April 2012, Client Advisory - The JOBS Act Changes IPO Rules for Emerging Growth Companies
March 2012, Client Advisory - The JOBS Act Makes Significant Changes in the Regulation of Capital Formation and the Compliance Landscape for Many Companies
July 1, 2011, Les Croland Featured Prominently in University of Florida Promotional Video
May 19, 2011, Les Croland Appointed to Board of Directors of BioFlorida Institute
November 6, 2009, EAPD Attorneys Selected For Inclusion in Super Lawyers 2009
January 15, 2009, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge and Attorneys Named Among South Florida's 2009 "Top Law Firms" and "Top Lawyers"
October 30, 2008, EAPD Attorneys Named Super Lawyers 2008
October 30, 2007, EAPD Attorneys Named Super Lawyers 2007
February 5, 2007, Client Advisory - SEC Permits (and May Require) Proxy Solicitations on the Internet
Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP
June 19, 2006, Six Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Lawyers Named Florida Super Lawyers
July 8, 2005, Croland Quoted In South Florida Business Journal
The South Florida Business Journal
June 24, 2005, SEC's Atkins: Reduce costs to comply
The South Florida Business Journal
March 2005, Scripps Is Catalyst for Florida's Life Sciences Industry
Venture Capital Journal
December 6, 2004, SEC Bends to Complaints Over New Filing Deadlines
The South Florida Business Journal
December 2004, Venture Capital in South Florida
South Florida CEO
March 25, 2004, Conference Planned to Link Venture Capitalists, Scripps
The Palm Beach Post
February 10, 2004, Corporate Attorney Leslie J. Croland Elected to the Executive Committee of the Florida Research Consortium
Edwards & Angell, LLP
Events
October 7-9, 2012, Miami, FL, BioFlorida's 15th Annual Conference
November 4-6, 2009, Grand Lakes, FL, BioFlorida's 12 Annual Conference
April 24, 2008, University Park, FL, EDC's 7th Annual Life Sciences Conference - BIOTECH 2008
March 19, 2008 - March 20, 2008, Orlando, FL, Florida Innovation Showcase 2008
March 25, 2004, Third Annual BioTech Conference
Before Edwards Wildman
After college and law school, Les served as Senior Attorney with the SEC's Division of Corporation Finance. Les has also served as a member of the board of directors of Microsulis Corporation, a subsidiary of a United Kingdom-based medical device manufacturing company.
Besides Edwards Wildman
Les serves as a Director of the InternetCoast Economic Development Advisory Council, a Director of BioFlorida, and as Secretary of the BioFlorida Institute's Founding Board of Directors. He is the Founder, Executive Officer and a Director of the Association of Public Corporations. He also serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the Florida Research Consortium and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art.
In addition, Les enjoys oil painting, hiking and landscape photography.
Industries
· Life Sciences
· Energy, Infrastructure & Cleantech
· Healthcare
Memberships
· American Bar Association, Business Law Section
· Florida Bar Association
(Also at Fort Lauderdale Office)