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    Corporate and M&A
    Corporate Law and M&A

    Corporate and M&A

    Washington, DC
    Multi-State Practice
    Overview

    Your Legal Edge In Business Transactions

    At Cogent Law, we don't just practice law; we partner with visionaries to build thriving businesses. From bold startups to market-leading conglomerates, our Corporate Securities Practice delivers precise, proactive legal counsel that drives results. We engineer legal strategies that not only protect but also empower businesses to scale, fund, acquire, and lead.

    Business moves fast. Your agreements must keep pace.

    We craft and close contracts that mitigate risk and maximize value:

    Counsel in this practice: John S. (Jack) Baumann, Anessa Allen Santos, Ari B. Good, Evan Smith, Jordan Denning, Suehiko Ono, Thomas Gross, Tracy L. Schimelfenig.

    Who We Serve

    Mergers & Acquisitions: Navigate Complexity, Capture Value

    01Entity formation and structuring
    02Shareholder and operating agreements
    03Employment and independent contractor agreements
    04Commercial leases and vendor agreements
    05Licensing, software development, and IP agreements
    06NDAs, privacy policies, and terms of service
    07Target/acquirer vetting and due diligence
    08Negotiating and structuring of Letters of Intent and favorable terms
    09Drafting definitive Purchase and Sale Agreements and related transaction documents
    10Securing regulatory, shareholder, and stakeholder approvals
    11Handling post-closing integrations and litigation

    We help clients unlock synergies and accelerate returns from transformative transactions.

    Our Approach

    Corporate Finance & Securities: Build a Capital Stack That Scales

    Funding fuels vision. We advise on optimal capital structures across:

    01Venture capital, private equity, and angel investing
    02Exempt offerings under Regulation D, Regulation A+, and Regulation CF offerings
    03Initial Public Offerings, Secondary offerings, and convertible debt
    04Compliance, regulatory and related federal and state blue-sky filings
    05Strategic investor alignment

    Startups: Launch with Legal Certainty — You have a vision. We build the foundation. From day one, we guide you through entity selection and equity allocation, early-stage capital (friends/family, angels, VCs), and employee equity plans and governance.

    Key Benefits

    Client Victories That Speak for Themselves

    Lead Counsel in Acquisition Programs Lead counsel to major clients in connection with a series of a diverse array of strategic acquisitions in the payments sector, FINRA registered broker dealers
    Bank Acquisition Lead mergers and acquisitions counsel in connection with the acquisitions of a U.S. bank holding companies and their underlying banks
    Telecom Reorganization & IPO Guided a 122-year-old telecom and broadband company through reorganization into a new Delaware holding company, private placements, in advance of a planned NASDAQ IPO
    Energy & Bitcoin Mining Lead counsel to major client on bitcoin mining operations and related legal challenges
    Nuclear & Industrial Reorganization Lead counsel to large nuclear reactor manufacturer in connection with strategic divestitures and reorganization of U.S. subsidiaries
    Genomics & IVF Conglomerate Lead counsel in launching genetics testing, IVF, and egg bank conglomerates
    Global Compliance Securities counsel to publicly traded companies on securities law compliance and ESSOP design and implementation
    Our Process

    What to Expect When Working With Cogent Law

    Step 01
    Consultation & Assessment

    We begin with a comprehensive review of your business model, goals, and potential regulatory exposures.

    Step 02
    Tailored Legal Strategy

    Based on your specific needs, we develop a strategic plan addressing compliance, contracts, structuring, and more.

    Step 03
    Transparent Pricing

    Wherever possible, we offer flat-fee arrangements, so you know upfront what to expect, no surprises.

    Step 04
    Collaborative Engagement

    We act as your strategic partner, maintaining clear communication throughout every stage of your business development.

    Step 05
    Ongoing Support

    As regulations evolve and your business scales, we remain by your side to provide continued legal guidance and support.

    Step 06
    Availability

    Attorneys that answer the phone when you call!

    Related Attorneys

    Speak with a Cogent Law attorney in this practice

    These attorneys advise clients on matters directly related to this practice area. Reach out for a confidential discussion about how it applies to your business.