Attorneys in our Private Equity and Venture Capital practice represent private equity and venture capital funds, as well as private equity and venture-backed companies. We also represent the general partners and managers of private equity and venture capital funds in the formation of their funds, including the preparation of offering materials and the raising of capital. Our Private Equity and Venture Capital practice includes attorneys from our business and finance areas who work with our clients to understand and implement all aspects of these growth-oriented transactions. Taft business attorneys also have extensive corporate and securities law experience in IPOs and mergers and acquisitions, so we are able to review and negotiate private equity and venture financing documents with such exit events in mind. Taft's Venture Capital practice is nationally ranked in the top tier by U.S. News - Best Lawyers.
Attorneys in our Private Equity and Venture Capital practice represent numerous start-ups and emerging-growth companies that have gone on to become major national corporations. A common characteristic of growth companies is the need for expansion capital. We have negotiated and structured hundreds of private equity and venture capital transactions designed to facilitate our clients’ growth. Substantial experience in strategically guiding entrepreneurs and their companies from start-up to substantial growth to exit permits us to counsel companies to maximize their opportunity while minimizing risk and dilution. This representation generally includes assisting in:
- Structuring the transaction and preparing term sheets.
- Due diligence investigation of portfolio companies.
- Drafting and negotiating definitive documentation, including stock purchase agreements, preferred stock terms, investors rights agreements (including registration rights) and shareholders agreements.
Negotiating and structuring these transactions also frequently includes:
- Structuring and documenting bridge or convertible loans.
- Negotiating intercreditor and similar arrangements with other stakeholders.
- Advising on issues relating to the sale, initial public offering, or reorganization of portfolio companies.
Our private equity and venture capital attorneys have worked in the following industries: technology, electronics, biotechnology, communications, food and hospitality, retail, healthcare and gaming, among others. In representing clients in private equity and venture capital matters, members of the practice call upon the expertise of our other departments and practices, especially with respect to matters relating to tax, intellectual property, securities and labor and employment law.
Terms of the Deal Booklet
The deal world is rich in highly specialized, frequently colorful, terms that can be as confusing as they are evocative. The words mean different things in different contexts and shift meanings from region to region.
To help guide you through the myriad terms of the deal world, we are proud to announce our Terms of the Deal booklet, designed to demystify the vocabulary of venture capital and private equity transactions.
