Curriculum Guide · Courses

Professors Ken Krisko and Aaron Velli

J.D. Seminar 219 | 2 credit hours

This course covers the legal and business issues that arise in the context of representing emerging growth companies and the venture capital investors who provide an important source of capital to such companies. In particular, the course will focus on the legal issues typically encountered by private companies at formation, financing, operation and key corporate events, including acquisition transactions and public offerings. Topics covered include corporate formation and governance, venture capital financing, employment and equity compensation matters, protection of intellectual property, securities laws compliance, debt financing and exit strategies through merger, acquisition or initial public offering. The course will offer an introduction to these topics through the eyes of attorneys who practice in a Silicon Valley-based law firm active in the East Coast technology and life sciences market and will also include guest presentations by industry participants, such as venture capitalists, angel investors and entrepreneurs. The course will include several practice exercises designed to introduce students, working in practice teams, to the process of structuring and executing venture capital transactions.

Prerequisite: Corporations. Recommended: Securities Regulation.

Students may not receive credit for both this seminar and Venture Capital, Private Equity, and Entrepreneurial Transactions; or the graduate seminar, Venture Capital and Technology Transactions.

All enrolled and waitlisted students must attend the first class to remain enrolled or to be enrolled.