Corporate TRANSACTIONAL

WilmerHale is widely recognized for our preeminence in the representation of technology and life sciences companies in the US and Europe. Our corporate lawyers are renowned for their work in initial public offerings, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, corporate governance matters and the representation of emerging companies.

Our business lawyers draw on the resources of our intellectual property, tax, labor and employment, employee benefits, litigation, real estate, bankruptcy and antitrust practices to provide a one-stop solution to our corporate clients.

Serving a diverse range of clients, from public and private companies to families and individual entrepreneurs, our corporate lawyers:

  • Served as issuer counsel or underwriters' counsel in more than 300 public offerings raising more than $100 billion since 2005, including an issuer counsel in deals such as Yandex's $1.435 billion IPO, the largest IPO in history by a search engine company, and the IPOs of Accretive Health, Ameresco, Demandware, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, SS&C Technologies, Tangoe, Verastem and WhiteWave Foods Company, among other recent IPOs
  • Acted as company counsel or investor counsel in more than 2,000 venture financings raising more than $18 billion since 2005, including multimillion-dollar financings by emerging leaders in life sciences, information technology, cleantech and other industries
  • Advised on more than 850 M&A deals valued in excess of $300 billion since 2005, including Thermo Fisher Scientific's $3.5 billion acquisition of Phadia and the sale of EqualLogic to Dell for $1.4 billion—the largest all-cash purchase price for a venture capital-backed company in history
  • Serve as outside corporate counsel for more than 100 public companies in the US and Europe, advising them on critical securities, disclosure and corporate governance matters
  • Handle hundreds of strategic alliances, joint ventures, outsourcing and licensing transactions each year, including several strategic alliances that have received industry recognition for their importance
  • Have focused on start-up companies and their special needs for decades, and have one of the top emerging company practices in the world
  • Represent venture, buyout and fund of fund complexes in their fund formation and ongoing administrative activities, including funds in the US, India, Europe and Asia

WilmerHale is widely recognized for our preeminence in the representation of technology and life sciences companies in the US and Europe. Our corporate lawyers are renowned for their work in initial public offerings, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, corporate governance matters and the representation of emerging companies.

Our business lawyers draw on the resources of our intellectual property, tax, labor and employment, employee benefits, litigation, real estate, bankruptcy and antitrust practices to provide a one-stop solution to our corporate clients.

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Leadership

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Borden, Mark G.

Mark G. Borden

Chair, Corporate Practice Group

+1 617 526 6675 (t)

mark.borden@wilmerhale.com

Buckland, Peter

Peter Buckland

Vice Chair, Corporate Practice Group

Co-Chair, Emerging Company and Venture Capital Practice Group

+1 650 858 6036 (t)

peter.buckland@wilmerhale.com

Der Marderosian, Lia

Lia Der Marderosian

Vice Chair, Corporate Practice Group

+1 617 526 6982 (t)

lia.dermarderosian@wilmerhale.com

Evans, Stephanie C.

Stephanie C. Evans

Vice Chair, Corporate Practice Group

+1 202 663 6355 (t)

stephanie.evans@wilmerhale.com

Bain, Mick

Mick Bain

Partner

+1 781 966 2027 (t)

michael.bain@wilmerhale.com

Boot, Jeannette K.

Jeannette K. Boot

Partner

+1 212 295 6507 (t)

jeannette.boot@wilmerhale.com

Borden, Mark G.

Mark G. Borden

Partner

+1 617 526 6675 (t)

mark.borden@wilmerhale.com

Bothwick, Jay E.

Jay E. Bothwick

Partner

+1 617 526 6526 (t)

jay.bothwick@wilmerhale.com

Braun, Martin

Dr. Martin Braun

Partner

+49 69 27 10 78 207 (t)

martin.braun@wilmerhale.com

Brown, Lillian

Lillian Brown

Partner

+1 202 663 6743 (t)

lillian.brown@wilmerhale.com

Buckland, Peter

Peter Buckland

Partner

+1 650 858 6036 (t)

peter.buckland@wilmerhale.com

Experience

  • We handled more IPOs from 1996-2010 for eastern US companies than any other law firm in the country.
  • We handled more IPOs in 2004-2010 for eastern US technology companies than any other law firm in the country.
  • We handled more Rule 144A equity placements from 2001-2010 for eastern US companies than any other law firm in the country.
  • We handled more VC financings in 2009 for eastern US companies than any other law firm in the country.
  • We represent more eastern US VC-backed companies than any other law firm in the country.
  • We handled more VC financings in 2009 for European companies than any other law firm in Europe.
  • We represent more European VC-backed companies than any other law firm in Europe.
  • We handled more sales of eastern US VC-backed companies in 2009 than any other law firm in the country.
  • We handled more sales of eastern US VC-backed companies from 1996-2009 than any other law firm in the country.

We represent numerous market leaders in technology and life sciences, including:

  • Biopharmaceutical companies such as Bayer, Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Sepracor
  • Instrument and laboratory sciences companies such as PerkinElmer and Thermo Fisher Scientific
  • Software companies such as Amdocs, Avid and Red Hat
  • Semiconductor industry companies such as Analog Devices and Varian Semiconductor
  • Suppliers of computer storage and peripheral devices such as EMC and Iomega
  • Enablers of e-commerce such as Akamai Technologies and DoubleClick

We also represent leading companies in a wide variety of other industries, including manufacturers such as Danaher, retailers such as BJ’s and Staples, financial services providers such as Citigroup and Fannie Mae, consumer goods companies such as Bose and Saucony, television broadcasters such as LIN TV and Sinclair Broadcast Group, and professional sports leagues and franchises such as the NHL and the Baltimore Ravens.

Additional corporate experience: 20122011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003*, 2002*, 2001*

*Note: These overviews describe experience of Hale and Dorr lawyers prior to the merger of Hale and Dorr LLP and Wilmer Cutler Pickering LLP.

  

Publications & News

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May 20, 2013

Legal 500 EMEA 2013 Recognizes WilmerHale Attorneys, Practices

The 2013 edition of The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa has been released, and includes recognition for 10 WilmerHale practice areas and 13 individual lawyers.

May 14, 2013

Why Berlin is Europe’s next startup capital

An article by Peter Buckland, originally published in VentureBeat's Entrepreneur channel.

May 14, 2013

A startup lawyer’s take on winning over a venture capitalist

An article by Mick Bain, originally published in VentureBeat's Deals channel.

May 6, 2013

2013 IPO Report

Our 2013 IPO Report offers a detailed analysis of, and outlook for, the IPO market. The report features regional breakdowns, a Q&A with former SEC Corp Fin Director Meredith Cross, and a discussion of the use of social media for investor communications under Regulation FD. We review the elements of relief being chosen by emerging growth companies under the JOBS Act; offer practical insight on “test-the-waters” communications and scheduling the first annual meeting of stockholders; summarize IPO disclosure requirements applicable to directors, officers, 5% stockholders and selling stockholders; discuss Form 10 IPOs as an alternative route to going public; and present useful IPO market metrics that are ordinarily unavailable elsewhere.

May 6, 2013

2013 M&A Report

Our 2013 M&A Report offers a detailed review of, and outlook for, the global M&A market. Other highlights include a discussion of the challenges and benefits of selling your company in a “dual-track” IPO, a comparison of public and private acquisitions, an analysis of issues and opportunities in California M&A deals, and a review of takeover defenses adopted by public companies. It also takes a look at the facts of life in M&A deal litigation, and survey key terms  in sales of VC-backed companies.

May 6, 2013

2013 Venture Capital Report

Our 2013 Venture Capital Report offers an in-depth analysis of, and outlook for, the US and European venture capital markets. The report features industry and regional breakdowns, an analysis of trends in venture capital financing and VC-backed company M&A deal terms, a look at the federal tax advantages of investments in “qualified small business stock,” and a discussion of JOBS Act benefits for startups that never plan to go public.

May 6, 2013

2013 Corporate Reports

WilmerHale’s annual IPO, Venture Capital and M&A Reports provide comprehensive statistics and analysis that are hard to find elsewhere.

April 29, 2013

Corporate Lawyers David Gammell and Edwin Pease Join WilmerHale as Partners

WilmerHale is pleased to announce that two leading high tech lawyers, David Gammell and Edwin Pease, have joined the firm as partners in the Corporate Group. Together, Gammell and Pease have more than 30 years of experience focusing on emerging companies, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions and related matters.

April 29, 2013

SEC Gives Nod to Use of Social Media Under Regulation FD—If Done Correctly

On April 2, 2013, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a Report of Investigation that concluded an investigation by the SEC’s Division of Enforcement into whether the CEO of Netflix, Inc. had violated Regulation FD by posting an updated corporate metric on his personal Facebook page, without the company making any other simultaneous public disclosure of that metric.

April 23, 2013

Data Security Considerations for FinTech Companies

An article by Ian C. Wildgoose Brown, appearing in the Bloomberg Law Banking Report.

Recognition

  • BioPharm Insight – Ranked WilmerHale WilmerHale among the top law firms in 2011 and 2012 for licensing and M&A, and also among the top four firms for M&A deals globally based on volume
  • Chambers Asia Pacific – Recognized our Beijing corporate practice in 2013 with a ranking in the category of Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded (International Firms)
  • Chambers Asia Pacific – Recognized our Beijing corporate practice in 2012 with a top ranking in the category of Corporate/M&A: International Law (China)
  • Chambers Global – Named 35 lawyers among the "World's Leading Lawyers for Business" and recognized 13 of our practice areas, including Corporate/M&A in 2013. In 2012, Chambers Global named 29 lawyers among the "World's Leading Lawyers for Business" and recognized 12 of our practice areas, including Corporate/M&A.
  • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business – Recognized our corporate practice in 2012 as "superb" with "outstanding quality at all levels," and specifically acknowledged our Massachusetts and DC private equity practice in the areas of fund formation and venture capital investments, and our Massachusetts and New York M&A practice
  • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business – Acknowledged our Boston M&A practice in 2009 with a first tier ranking, saying "this superb and sophisticated corporate firm, drew rave reviews from clients for its outstanding work, particularly in the life sciences and higher technology sectors." The Boston private equity: venture capital investment group also received a first tier ranking. Chambers notes that, "clients turn to the group for its virtually unmatched level of experience and trust it to meet all their needs."
  • Corporate Board Member – In 2009, named WilmerHale as America's Best Corporate Law Firm in the Boston metro area based on surveys from over 2,200 directors and general counsels. The firm is also featured as among the 20 best national law firms as ranked by 240 general counsels in 2009.
  • JUVE Handbook – A leading legal publication in Germany, named WilmerHale's Berlin and Frankfurt offices among its 2012/2013 "Top 50" law firms in Germany, and highly recommended our corporate and mergers and acquisitions practices
  • Practical Law Company (PLC) – In the PLC Cross-border Life Sciences Handbook 2011/2012, WilmerHale is listed as a leading law firm, the highest ranking possible, in the US for life sciences in corporate. WilmerHale also earned a place among the top ten law firms in PLC's 2012 Life Sciences Industry Super League.
  • Practical Law Company (PLC) – In the PLC Private Equity/Venture Capital Handbook 2009/10 recognized WilmerHale as a leading law firm in the areas of private equity and venture capital. The firm was listed as "leading," the highest ranking possible in Fund Formation and Venture Capital. PLC individually recognized Sarah Rothermel in the fund formation category and Mark Borden and Michael Bain in the venture capital category.
  • Recombinant Capital – In four of the last eight years, WilmerHale worked on the biotech strategic alliance which was chosen for the Breakthrough Alliance Award
  • Super Lawyers – Twenty-one of our Massachusetts-based corporate lawyers were recognized in Boston Magazine's 2008 issue as "Massachusetts Super Lawyers"
  • The Best Lawyers in America – Selected 101 WilmerHale Lawyers for inclusion in the 2013 edition of their peer-review publication
  • The Best Lawyers in America – Named eight WilmerHale attorneys "Lawyers of the Year" in 2012. In 2011, WilmerHale was ranked number one for Venture Capital Law in Massachusetts and Waltham and Mergers & Acquisitions Law in Boston, DC and Massachusetts.
  • The Legal 500 EMEA – Recommended WilmerHale's Brussels, Berlin and Frankfurt offices in 10 practice areas, including corporate and M&A in 2012
  • The Legal 500 UK – Recommended WilmerHale's London offices in eight practice areas, including corporate and commercial: financial services; corporate and commercial: M&A; and corporate and commercial: venture capital
  • The Legal 500 United States – Recommended WilmerHale's mergers and acquisitions practice in the areas of antitrust, M&A middle-market, and venture capital and emerging companies in their 2010 and 2011 editions
  • US News Media Group and Best Lawyers – In the 2010 Best Law Firm rankings, our corporate law and mergers and acquisitions practices are ranked in the first tier nationally and in Boston and Washington DC. Our venture capital law practice is also ranked in the first tier in Boston.

2013 Reports

WilmerHale’s annual IPO, Venture Capital and M&A Reports provide comprehensive statistics and analysis that are hard to find elsewhere.

Our 2013 IPO Report offers a detailed analysis of, and outlook for, the IPO market. The report features regional breakdowns, a Q&A with former SEC Corp Fin Director Meredith Cross, and a discussion of the use of social media for investor communications under Regulation FD. We review the elements of relief being chosen by emerging growth companies under the JOBS Act; offer practical insight on “test-the-waters” communications and scheduling the first annual meeting of stockholders; summarize IPO disclosure requirements applicable to directors, officers, 5% stockholders and selling stockholders; discuss Form 10 IPOs as an alternative route to going public; and present useful IPO market metrics that are ordinarily unavailable elsewhere.

The 2013 Venture Capital Report offers an in-depth analysis of, and outlook for, the US and European venture capital markets. The report features industry and regional breakdowns, an analysis of trends in venture capital financing and VC-backed company M&A deal terms, a look at the federal tax advantages of investments in “qualified small business stock,” and a discussion of JOBS Act benefits for startups that never plan to go public.

Our 2013 M&A Report contains a detailed review of, and outlook for, the global M&A market. Other highlights include a discussion of the challenges and benefits of selling your company in a “dual-track” IPO, a comparison of public and private acquisitions, an analysis of issues and opportunities in California M&A deals, and a review of takeover defenses adopted by public companies. We also take a look at the facts of life in M&A deal litigation, and survey key terms in sales of VC-backed companies.

To request a hardcopy of any of the reports, contact the WilmerHale Marketing Department at or call +1 617 526 5600.