Covington represents private and public companies and venture investors in a broad range of industries, including life sciences, technology, fintech, cleantech, food, manufacturing, consumer goods, and defense/national security. Our practice, comprised of professionals with deep industry and regulatory expertise spanning across the U.S., UK, Europe, and Asia, supports clients with a responsive dedicated team, pragmatic approach to problem solving, and deep industry and regulatory expertise.
Emerging Companies
We view our relationship with each emerging company client as a long-term commitment. We invest the time it takes—upfront —to understand the client’s objectives, issues, and relationships. We advise early-stage companies on a range of issues including structuring arrangements among founders, intellectual property rights and strategy, engagement of employees and consultants, equity incentive plans, and initial funding.
As companies develop and grow, we provide strategic legal advice in connection with board and governance issues, capital structure, strategic partnerships, distribution, licensing and other commercial arrangements, venture capital financings, IPOs, and M&A transactions.
Our leading experts in areas such as data privacy, cybersecurity, tech transactions, financial regulation, and drug/device and health care regulation routinely advise our private company clients on product development plans, compliance issues, innovative business models and commercial structures, and negotiations with large strategic partners.
Venture Capital Clients
We take a pragmatic, deal-oriented approach to venture capital transactions, focusing on critical diligence and economic issues. We have significant experience and expertise in representing corporate venture capital investors, particularly in the life sciences and technology areas. Our team leverages our expertise in regulatory matters, collaboration/licensing transactions, and M&A to advise our corporate venture clients on crafting milestones for tranched investments and joint development agreements entered into alongside investments. Our global lawyers also advise our corporate venture clients on fiduciary duties, conflicts of interest, and confidentiality issues and obligations.
We have been involved in structuring and launching corporate venture capital initiatives for several of our corporate clients. We educate internal deal teams on venture capital practices and norms, and assist with the development of form documents.
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