Goodwin Procter’s Technology Companies Group is a highly focused team of 160 lawyers which provides dedicated representation to over 500 emerging companies and entrepreneurs, 200 venture capital and private equity firms, and many of the leading investment banks in the country. We take pride in understanding our clients’ businesses, we share their entrepreneurial spirit and drive, and we provide counsel in connection with venture financings, securities offerings, M&A transactions, IPOs, fund formations and other corporate matters. Our areas of industry focus include software, hardware,...more »

Goodwin Procter’s Technology Companies Group is a highly focused team of 160 lawyers which provides dedicated representation to over 500 emerging companies and entrepreneurs, 200 venture capital and private equity firms, and many of the leading investment banks in the country. We take pride in understanding our clients’ businesses, we share their entrepreneurial spirit and drive, and we provide counsel in connection with venture financings, securities offerings, M&A transactions, IPOs, fund formations and other corporate matters. Our areas of industry focus include software, hardware, life sciences, media and publishing, and telecommunications.

• 350+ combined private equity and venture capital deals closed in 2006
• 100 private equity and venture capital funds closed since 2005
• 100 IPOs in past decade
• 350 securities offerings in past decade
• 200+ M&A deals in the past two years totaling $120+ billion 

We provide the full range of services an emerging company will need throughout its life cycle in an efficient, cost-effective manner. Our team’s experience with issues such as separation of founders and key employees from prior employers, legal form of organization, inter-founder relationships and initial capital formation allows us to make efficient use of a company’s time and money, the two most precious entrepreneurial commodities. Our team includes members of our nationally recognized Intellectual Property Group, comprising licensing specialists; patent, trademark and copyright lawyers; and on-site scientists, who are experts in implementing effective intellectual property protection programs.

Through our extensive network of relationships within the venture capital community, we also help emerging companies access the capital required to grow their businesses. Our experience with a variety of venture capitalists and angel investors enables us to advise companies on what to expect in the financing process and how to avoid common pitfalls.

As the business matures, we selectively draw resources from the specialty practices at our firm, such as tax, labor and employment, and real estate, to provide big firm service at a small firm price. Finally, our Securities Litigation & SEC Enforcement and M&A/Corporate Governance Practices stand ready to help realize the value created by the successful entrepreneur.

We understand the cash constraints facing new enterprises, and we develop legal solutions that meet both a company’s needs and its budget. To help manage legal costs, our service model includes dedicated attention from an experienced partner to ensure prompt, pragmatic advice and the use of highly trained associates to meet day-to-day needs efficiently. Our sophisticated knowledge management system puts the entire know-how of the firm at the fingertips of our lawyers and enables us to deliver consistent, high-quality work product for the lowest possible price.

The following is a representative list of the services we provide our emerging company clients:

Start-up companies
Founder exits from existing employers
Formation/Choice of legal form
Business plan review
Brokering inter-founder relationships
Basic IP protection (trademarks, trade secrets, etc.)
Equity incentive plans
Seed capital financings

Emerging growth companies
Venture capital financings
Licensing and distribution agreements
Partnering and joint venturing agreements
Patent registration
Copyright registration
Employee benefit plans
Executive employment agreements/incentive arrangements
Equipment leasing
Founder wealth protection/estate planning
Real estate acquisition/leasing

Pre-public companies
Mezzanine financings
Dispute resolution/litigation
Receivables factoring
Public company planning/best practices

Public companies
Public equity and debt offerings
SEC compliance
Strategic M&A
Corporate governance less »