Cooley LLP’s premier emerging companies and venture capital department fields a deep roster of early and late-stage companies as well as top-tier venture funds and investors. The team’s stellar bench of specialists is highly active across all stages of growth. The practice is spearheaded by a trio consisting of Peter Werner and Matt Bartus from San Francisco and Sacha Ross from New York. Werner is a key client contact for unicorns and major investors, while Bartus is a go-to practitioner for clients across Asia, Europe, and the US, and Ross excels in advising high-growth companies across the AI, digital health, enterprise software, and fintech sectors. Based in New York, Adam Dinow has a robust track record guiding clients from formation through to IPO and M&A. Head of the Miami office, Derek Colla, has a particular focus on venture financings in the fintech sector, assisting clients operating in cryptocurrency, insurance, and payments. Palo Alto-based Mark Tanoury is singled out for his wealth of experience with founders and their backers in the technology and life sciences sectors. Operating out of San Francisco, Rachel Proffitt is reputed for her transactional expertise with startups. Sale Kwon is another noteworthy practitioner in the Palo Alto office.

Goodwin‘s deep sector knowledge in technology and life sciences characterises its emerging companies practice. The group serves a diverse clientele, including emerging companies in AI, climate tech, defense tech, fintech, SaaS, and digital health. Craig Schmitz and Kenneth Gordon, an accomplished duo from Silicon Valley and Boston, respectively, chair the technology and emerging companies department. Leadership of the life sciences team is split between Mitchell Bloom and Kingsley Taft. The former maintains a prominent position advising emerging biotech and medtech companies across all stages of maturity and on IPOs. William Collins possesses a strong grasp of startup and formation matters, as well as venture capital financings of clients in the biotech, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices industries. Danielle Lauzon is distinguished for her activity in early-stage financings of life sciences and healthcare companies. Bill Schnoor is a seasoned expert in venture capital. In San Francisco, Jon Novotny is another highlighted individual within the team. Unless otherwise mentioned, all aforementioned practitioners are based in Boston.

Gunderson Dettmer LLP has a dedicated focus on emerging companies, with the firm being singularly focused on advising entrepreneurs, companies, and investors across a broad range of sectors, including technology, life sciences, fintech, and climate innovation.  The team is geared to support with the full spectrum of venture capital mandates from formation and financings to M&A. The group benefits from Boston-based practice head Marc Dupre‘s expertise in advising start-ups and venture capital funds in investment transactions. Also in Boston, David Gammell advises on all stages of growth, including early-stage financings and exits, while office managing partner Jay Hachigian has demonstrated recent activity handling investments for venture capital firms. Over in New York, Randall Clark is sought after for his capabilities in early-stage financings.

 

Latham & Watkins is geared to support emerging companies in the technology and life sciences sectors in their formation and an array of venture financing structures. The team leverages its strong national and global offering and is highly sought after by venture capital firms and financial institutions investing in companies across all stages in the lifecycle. Benjamin Potter is highly regarded for his activity advising companies in growth industries, including fintech.  He leads the team alongside Brian Patterson, who has accrued significant experience assisting companies and investment funds on transactional investments in the AI sector, and Haim Zaltzman, who splits his time between San Francisco and New York. Seth Gottlieb exhibits proficiency in both corporate transactions and IPOs. Jana Kovich in Chicago is proficient in the full suite of financing and exit planning mandates. Alex Kassai is trusted by high-growth companies at all stages of maturity, with a track record in public offerings. Todd Trattner joined from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in October 2025.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe houses a heavyweight emerging companies practice that is particularly active across the AI, fintech, digital health, and software sectors. The team is co-led by Samir Bakhru, Josh Pollick, and Anik Guha. Bakhru contributes extensive expertise in advising growth technology companies from formation through exit, while Pollick is a highly regarded go-to for both emerging companies, venture firms, and strategic investors. John Bautista draws on longstanding experience to advise high-tech and life science companies in venture capital financings. A recent standout matter for Stephen Venuto is advising Anthropic on its $13 billion Series F. In New York, Max Cantor is singled out for advising funds and early-stage companies in high-value equity and debt investments. John Harrison is lauded for his ‘strong industry background and appreciation of the market’. Mike Heath, who joined from Gunderson Dettmer LLP in February 2025, guides clients throughout the entire company lifecycle.

DLA Piper LLP (US)‘s venture capital and emerging companies practice fields a growing team, cementing its nationwide coverage. The department draws on its vast portfolio of investor relationships to guide both early and late-stage growth companies. Located in the Reston office, Jeffrey Lehrer recently advised on an especially noteworthy Series F funding round for Clio. He leads the team alongside New York-based Charles Torres and San Diego-based Richard Bull, both of whom have standout experience advising investors on financings for AI-powered emerging companies. Also residing in San Diego, Randy Socol maintains an active presence, serving as a go-to for major investor clients, including Microsoft’s venture arm, M12. Operating in Seattle, Tyler Hollenbeck further strengthens the team, garnering praise for providing ‘sound judgement, calibrated to the business, with impressive speed’. Shehzad Huda adds further weight to the team, drawing on his entrepreneurial background. Curtis Mo, in Palo Alto, and Adam Brenner, in New York, are also recommended.

Morrison Foerster boasts a robust venture capital and emerging companies practice that excels in advising emerging companies on early-stage financings through to late-stage growth rounds. The group is chiefly engaged by startups in the technology and life sciences sectors, including AI, cybersecurity, fintech, clean energy, and digital health. A skilled trio oversees the team: Michael Glaser, Peter Fusco, and San Diego-based Jim Krenn. Splitting his time between San Francisco and Seattle, Glaser is an expert in venture transactions from formation to exit. New York-based Fusco is active across seed rounds to growth investments, while Krenn also counsels angel, corporate, and venture capital investors. Seasoned practitioner Murray Indick leverages almost four decades of experience advising on venture M&A.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is called upon for its established foothold in the emerging companies and venture capital space, distinguishing itself for its expertise advising companies in regulated sectors such as aerospace and defense. Practice head Steve Ryan has a strong track record advising on early-stage financings. Leading the New York practice, Ronald Fleming is renowned for guiding clients through the entire lifecycle, including acquisitions. Transactions in the AI, cybersecurity, SaaS, gaming, and social media industries are core to Justin Hovey‘s workload. Over in Silicon Valley, Allison Leopold Tilley is a recognised expert in the full spectrum of venture financings in the technology sector. Paul Casas is relied on by a wide range of clients, from technology companies to institutional investors and corporate venture capital arms. Christina Pearson‘s practice spans both venture financings and M&A. In New York, Taylor O’Toole is recommended.

WilmerHale has a prominent emerging company and venture capital practice that demonstrates considerable expertise across the AI, space, and biotechnology industries.  Daniel Zimmermann co-leads the practice and leverages over two decades of experience advising technology startups. Based in Boston, fellow co-chair Mick Bain is relied upon by high-growth companies, venture capital firms, and strategic investors alike. Joseph Wyatt exhibits proficiency in assisting with seed, equity, and debt financings, while Eric Hanson‘s recent instructions include counselling funds on venture investments. Other notable practitioners include Boston-based Avery Reaves, Caroline Dotolo, Mark Nylen, and John Rockwell. Unless otherwise stated, all individuals are based in Palo Alto.

Dentons leverages its stellar global capabilities to advise venture capital funds as investors in major financing rounds in companies across key high-growth sectors, including fintech, digital health, climatetech, AI, and cybersecurity. In New York, Victor Boyajian specialises in advising venture and private equity firms in a broad array of financings. Praised for being ‘pragmatic’, New York-based Chris Errico frequently handles high-value corporate investments, while Jackson Hwu in Miami represents VC funds in the FinTech sector. Shaun Altshuller adds further weight to the team.

King & Spalding LLP‘s emerging companies and venture capital team sits within its corporate department and is well known for advising early-stage life sciences, healthcare, and technology companies. Beyond assisting with financings, the team is recognised for its track record in exit transactions, including both M&A and IPO. Laura Bushnell, Daniel Kahan, and Tom Knox jointly steer the practice. From Silicon Valley, Bushnell has a strong reputation for her expertise in emerging growth companies, Miami-based Kahan is an expert on fintech startups, and Northern Virginia-based Knox handles investments on both the venture-backed company and investor sides.

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.‘s venture capital and emerging companies department distinguishes itself for its deep knowledge of the life sciences sector, assisting biotech and healthtech companies and their investors. The team regularly represents founders and a broad range of investors, including venture capital firms, family offices, hedge funds, and private equity sponsors. Co-leading the practice from New York, Daniel DeWolf, who is also chair of the technology industry group, regularly advises both high-growth companies and institutional investors, while Samuel Effron recently advised Cadurion Pharmaceuticals on its $260 million series B financing. Alexander Civetta contributes extensively to the practice and is considerably fluent in the software and biotech industries. Joshua Fox advises emerging companies on day-to-day operations, venture financings, and strategic exits.

With its recent expansion in Atlanta, Reed Smith LLP‘s emerging companies and venture capital practice has further bolstered its national presence, particularly in the Southeast. The practice is well-recognised for its capabilities in debt and equity financings as well as buy- and sell-side M&A. Additionally, the group draws on a wide range of deep relationships with funds, from significant regional players to major global investors. Heading up the Atlanta office, Nick Foreste routinely handles investments for early-stage venture funds, while San Francisco lead Teresa Tate has recent experience advising on equity investments in the emerging technologies, consumer products, aerospace and defense, and life sciences sectors. Taking the lead in Pittsburgh, Matthew Mohn is a key contact for both investors and growth companies. A primary focus for Michael Sanders in Atlanta is companies operating in healthtech and medtech. Also in Atlanta, Elliot Franklin, who joined in January 2025, contributes extensively to capital funding rounds.

Housed within the firm’s private equity and M&A department, Choate, Hall & Stewart venture capital and emerging companies practice is predominantly active in investor-side representations. The Boston-based team is adept at advising on the financings of technology, life sciences, and healthcare companies from seed to later-stage growth equity. The core team consists of: Tobin Sullivan, who specializes in assisting venture capital investors and is praised for his ‘eye for detail’ and for being ‘highly responsive’; John Pitfield, who is a key client contact for Bain Capital, and special counsel Brian Lenihan who is a go-to for Canadian and UK companies and investors in cross-border transactions with US funds or issuers.

The venture capital and emerging companies team at Greenberg Traurig is praised for its ‘responsive, commercial, and pragmatic’ service. The firm provides early-stage companies with support on the full gamut of issues, from formation to financing and exit strategies. For investors, the team is well-equipped to handle investment agreements as well as structure equity ownership and compensation agreements. Co-chair Emily Ladd-Kravitz is especially active in advising companies and investors in the technology, life sciences, and real estate sectors. Chinh Pham is trusted by startups on intellectual property issues. Bradley Jacobson has deep experience advising investors on private company investment transactions and cross-over investments. Operating out of the Northern Virginia office, Ryan Kelley is highlighted for counselling clients on capital raises and strategic investments. Other notable practitioners who strengthen the team include co-managing shareholder of the Phoenix office, Jeremy Zangara, and Miami-based John Owens. Preston Barclay is highlighted for chiefly focusing on venture capital mandates, assisting with complex transactions, including cram-downs.

Lauded for being ‘pragmatic, commercially oriented, and effective at coordinating multiple jurisdictions’, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP is well-positioned to advise a range of US and international startups and emerging companies from inception through to large exits via M&A transactions. The department has also recently strengthened its practice by attracting numerous investor-side clients. Based in New York, co-head Joe Daniels has over two decades of experience advising early-stage companies and investors on key financings and exit transactions. Over in Atlanta, co-chair Paul Rothstein recently assisted Stord in a $200 million debt and equity raise. The practice distinguishes itself for its capabilities in deals with a nexus between the US and LATAM, with the key figure here being Leandro Molina, who is dual-qualified in the US and Brazil. Molina splits his time between New York and Miami. In Atlanta, George Akers is recommended.

Sidley Austin LLP has a growing presence in emerging companies and venture capital, with several notable lateral hires in 2025. The group is geared to support clients on early- and late-stage financings, secondary transactions, venture and public market offerings, and M&A deals. Palo Alto-based pair Martin Wellington and Idan Netser co-lead the team. Wellington concentrates on counselling technology companies, while Netser is regularly engaged with Israeli emerging companies. Baltimore-based Asher Rubin and Frank Rahmani in Palo Alto add further depth to the team.

Brown Rudnick LLP stands out for one client because of how it ‘combines deep legal sophistication with a genuinely practical, business-first mindset’. The team advises startups and investors across a wide variety of sectors, including AI, cleantech, fintech, and life sciences. In Boston, co-lead Michael Cohen leads the life sciences group and has a particular focus on early-stage companies. Alongside Cohen, Washington DC-based Andrew J. Sherman co-heads the department and routinely advises emerging companies on M&A. Rounding out the leadership in New York, Jared Sorin frequently assists with venture financing rounds.

Foley Hoag LLP garners plaudits for possessing ‘very dedicated staff with deep knowledge of the climate tech space’. Alongside this strength, the bench of experts at the firm is sought out in the technology, life sciences, and energy sectors. In Boston, Patrick Connolly continues to counsel companies on formation, venture capital financing, and M&A matters. Spearheading the department alongside Connolly, Sara Mattern in Washington DC is a go-to for both emerging companies and investors, and specializes in advising renewable energy companies. Mark Haddad has seen recent activity advising on capital raises on the West Coast. Brendan Burke is another key contributor to the practice.

Holland & Knight is noteworthy for representing companies from angel through to later-stage venture capital. Additionally, the team draws on its deep relationship with institutional investors to advise on investments into the full spectrum of startups. Operating out of the Century City office, Tim Poydenis counsels funds and growth companies on fundraising, acquisitions, exits, and corporate governance. Boston-based Jeffrey Seul is a seasoned practitioner who is an expert in assisting with corporate transactions and with the deployment of capital in the technology and telecommunications industry. Both Poydenis and Seul are at the helm of the venture capital and emerging companies practice. In Miami. Danielle Price handles capital raises in the healthcare, real estate, and manufacturing sectors. Emerging companies attorney Scott MacCormack joined in January 2025 to open the firm’s new office in Seattle.

Investors call upon Katten‘s entrepreneurial ventures team for their early-stage investments. The team is also geared to support startups from initial formation through to capital raises. In Chicago, co-chair Jeffrey Patt is adept at handling seed capital and late-stage financings. Also in Chicago, co-chair Matthew Brown has longstanding experience advising investors and corporate institutional clients on investments in startups across the health care, life sciences, and pharmaceuticals, technology, and fintech industries. Former co-chair Roger Griesmeyer left the firm in February 2026.

Lowenstein Sandler LLP‘s New York-based team counsels founders, growth companies, and investors across the full business cycle, from formation and seed financings through to growth equity and venture M&A exits. Ed Zimmerman, who co-founded the emerging companies group at the firm, chairs the practice and represents startups and growth equity funds in the technology sector. Vice-chair and co-founder Anthony Pergola has a broad practice, spanning venture financings and M&A. Co-head Meredith Beuchaw specialises in venture M&A transactions on both the buy and sell side. Eric Weiner has longstanding experience handling deals from early-stage financings through pre-IPO funding rounds. In Palo Alto, Chandra Shih‘s caseload consists of equity and debt financings.

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP is praised for combining a ‘deep experience in venture-backed companies and corporate transactions with a pragmatic approach to getting things done’. The practice’s clientele encompasses startups, growth-stage companies, as well as venture capital and growth equity funds across the healthcare, fintech, consumer goods, media, and energy sectors. In San Francisco, Richard McDerby heads up the practice and is chiefly engaged with venture financings and M&A involving technology-driven companies. Over in Los Angeles, Tom Michael, who also heads up the digital and technology group, is active in the venture-backed space.

Mayer Brown‘s emerging companies and venture capital practice, which sits within its broader corporate and securities department, showcases expertise in early-stage investments, venture and growth capital investments, and corporate venture capital investments. An accomplished duo consisting of Scott Young and Mark Bonham, leads the team. Young has been involved in advising technology and life sciences companies, while Bonham is relied on by the team’s portfolio of venture capital fund clients. Sam Gardiner, Aaron Murdock, and Craig Frame continue to be key assets to the team. All aforementioned practitioners are based in Salt Lake City.

Polsinelli PC‘s venture capital department focuses on representing investment funds and venture-backed companies, with a particular emphasis on technology, consumer, food and beverage, healthcare, and life sciences industries. The group is well-versed in counselling clients from early-stage through to growth-equity and later-stage financings. Co-chair Matthew Eckert is sought after by emerging growth companies and venture capital funds for advice on venture financings and M&A. Alongside Eckert, co-chair Rick Jordan is singled out for combining ‘deep legal expertise with outstanding commercial judgment’ for the full spectrum of investors and start-ups. Prithvi Tanwar is another highlighted practitioner, noted for his experience in the software, digital tech, e-commerce, and consumer tech sectors.

The team at Sullivan & Worcester LLP is experienced at assisting companies, from start-up to profitability to public company, notably advising venture capital firms in the software, telecommunications, therapeutics, and fintech industries. New York’s Scott Kaufman co-heads the group and regularly acts for entrepreneurs, technology and life science companies, and investors in venture financings, M&A, and corporate transactions. Meanwhile, Lewis Segall heads the corporate department in Boston, providing support to start-ups and investors on equity and debt financings, joint ventures, and M&A. Also in Boston, Benjamin Armour heads the mergers & acquisitions group at the firm and works closely with clients on growth strategies, liquidity events, and investment of capital.

Fielding a multidisciplinary team, Troutman Pepper Locke LLP is equipped to offer startup companies, emerging and growth companies, and investors services across the entire business life cycle. James Jumper regularly acts for clients on private placements and capital-raising deals. Thomas Dwyer is a key point of contact for emerging, middle market, and public companies on growth equity venture capital transactions and M&A deals, whereas Christopher Miller is noted for his work with private equity funds and emerging companies in venture capital, growth equity, and debt financing transactions. Boston’s Daniel Sieck acts for emerging companies in the life sciences, software, and technology spheres across early-stage formation to securities law compliance. Chicago-based Kathleen Swan assists investors and startups on equity and debt transactions. Unless otherwise stated, all names mentioned are based in Berwyn.

Wiggin and Dana LLP is regarded by clients for its expertise, which is ‘not limited to venture capital, so they have a broader perspective on corporate law’, enabling the firm to provide support to a varied roster spanning from life sciences to telecom across the entire startup lifecycle. Splitting his time between New York and Miami, Len Gray has long-standing experience advising growth companies on finance, corporate, and securities mandates. Both practicing in Connecticut and New York, Jack Sousa has broad experience across equity rounds, convertible debts, and SAFE instruments, and Evan Kipperman acts for growth-stage companies, private equity, and public middle-market firms on finance, corporate, and securities. The three co-chair the practice. In New Haven, Adam Silverman is recommended.

Baker Botts L.L.P. ‘s emerging companies and venture capital offering operates within the firm’s corporate department and advises technology companies from formation, through to seed financing and venture capital. In San Francisco, co-head Michael Torosian advises emerging companies and their investors, while Austin-based Michael Portillo concentrates on early-stage and growth-stage financings. Samuel Dibble left the firm in January 2026.

Praised by a client for ‘top-notch advice and data insights’, Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth LLP is turned to by entrepreneurs and emerging growth companies for support on financing and transactions. Operating out of Newport Beach, practice co-head Mark Skaist is equipped to guide clients through the entire lifecycle of the company, frequently assisting on formation and funding rounds. Over in Westlake Village, co-head Ryan Azlein fields a similarly broad practice and is a key practitioner for emerging technology companies and high-growth businesses, and receives praise from clients for being ‘well-versed not only in the law relating to start-ups but also in the issues commonly facing them’.