Woods Oviatt's capabilities in the Emerging Companies arena results from its substantial experience working with early-stage ventures and investors. Emerging growth companies have unique legal and business needs which go beyond the needs of a more traditional business. Clients who partner with Woods Oviatt benefit from our robust private equity practice, relationships with financing sources, and multi-disciplinary approach.
Our attorneys are experienced on all sides of the issues emerging companies are likely to encounter, such as licensing, distribution, e-business, venture capital, and strategic partnering. In addition, our intellectual property lawyers provide the legal and scientific depth necessary to secure and defend the patents, trademarks, and other rights that are essential to the future of emerging companies, regardless of the technological sphere.
Our clients turn to us to:
- Assist with equity financing in compliance with federal and state government regulations
- Handle mergers and acquisitions as both a growth and an exit strategy
- Form entities based upon issues such as stockholder make-up, anticipated funding sources, and technology strategy
- Protect intellectual property through patent rights, confidentiality and proprietary information agreements with employees and independent contractors, and license technology in or out
- Introduce emerging companies to sources of "angel" and venture capital financing, strategic partners, and other sources of equity financing
- Structure strategic partnering agreements
- Handle public offerings, ranging from several million dollars to hundreds of millions
As a full-service law firm, we are also able to meet emerging companies' needs by drawing from the experience of our attorneys in the areas of labor/management relations, litigation, environmental counseling and permitting, debt and lease financing, and specialized estate planning for founders and entrepreneurs.
Woods Oviatt Gilman's Emerging Companies practice group is designed to focus on understanding the client's business and being responsive to the client's time-sensitive needs.
