Derek is a partner in the firm's Corporate Transactions & Securities practice group. He focuses his practice in the following areas:
- mergers and acquisitions, including public company mergers and tender offers;
- venture capital transactions;
- securities offerings, including initial public offerings, PIPEs and high-yield and other corporate debt offerings;
- joint ventures;
- public company takeover matters;
- public company reporting; and
- securities law and general corporate matters.
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 1996
- Stanford University, A.B., 1993
Representative Matters
- Acquisitions and dispositions for public companies in the S&P500, middle market public companies and private middle market companies.
- Representation of venture capital investors in a variety of transactions, involving such industries as the software, medical, energy, telecommunications, high technology, e-commerce and service industries.
- Representation of start-up companies with formation and capitalization matters and attracting venture capital investors.
- Advising public companies regarding takeover preparedness and activist shareholders.
- Securities offerings and advising public companies on periodic reporting and general securities law matters.
Professional & Civic Involvement
Professional Associations
Ohio State Bar Association - Corporation Law Committee, Tender Offer and Legislative Review Subcommittees
Ohio Venture Association
Community Activities
The Littlest Heroes · Member, Board of Directors, 2004 - present; Member, Governance and Nominating Committee, 2004 - presentCleveland International Program · Member, Board of Trustees, 2002- 2005; Chairman, Program Committee, 2002-2004
Publications
- "Venture Cap May Come With Request for Control" · Crain's Cleveland Business, June 10, 2002
- Contributing Author, "Punitive Damages and Business Torts: A Practitioner's Handbook," American Bar Association, 1998