Experience

  • Venture Capital and Private Equity Liability

Equity Dispute

We assisted our  client in its dispute over the amount of equity that should have been granted to our client.

SEC Administrative Proceeding

We defended, in a hearing before an SEC administrative law judge, a case where the SEC Division of Enforcement sought disgorgement and a bar against a venture capital partner, who was accused of fraud and self-dealing under the Investment Advisers Act and Exchange Act based on his parallel investment in a portfolio company as part of the syndication of the investment.

Venture Fund Partner Dispute

We represented the venture fund in a partnership dispute, which included alleged wrongful termination, oral contracts, and negations for termination agreements, severance and renegotiation of fund valuations.

Venture Capital Firm Dispute and Resolution

Represented venture capital firm in obtaining insurance coverage for defense costs associated with its substantial investment in a portfolio company that faced high-profile investigations commenced by multiple federal agencies.

Morphe Holdings

Advised the co-founders of Morphe Holdings, a global beauty company, in its partnership with General Atlantic, a leading global growth equity firm.

Claims Advocacy for Venture Capital Firm

We represented a venture capital firm in several disputes with its liability insurer, including a dispute concerning coverage for alleged liability arising out of conduct by a rogue shareholder representative, in which we obtained a substantial contribution from the insurer to the settlement of the underlying matter. We continue to represent the same client in ongoing negotiations concerning coverage for a securities class action filed against the venture capital firm and its appointed board member, arising out of one of the largest losses in the history of venture capital.

Portfolio Company Exit

Represented a prominent venture capital firm in connection with insurance coverage issues arising out of a medical device portfolio company exit.  Post-closing, the acquiring company brought claims against the venture capital firm, to which the firm’s VCAP liability insurer initially denied coverage.  Following our involvement, the venture capital firm obtained a substantial settlement contribution from its insurer. 

Bio-IT and Health-IT Venture Capital

Represent a venture capital firm focused on Bio-IT and Health-IT portfolio companies, in connection with a major claim arising out of its investment in a former portfolio company.  The portfolio company and its former management face investigation by both SEC and DOJ, for alleged conduct related to health care industry practices.  We assist the venture capital firm in obtaining coverage for its investigation-related expenses under its VCAP liability insurance coverage. 

Firm Highlights

Event

19th Annual Renewable Energy Law Institute

Dirk Mueller is speaking at the University of Texas School of Law 19 th Annual Renewable Energy Law Institute on "Mineral Issues Impact on Real Estate Documents, Siting and Planning: Texas vs. California." Session Overview :   Understanding...

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Event

The New Frontier AI Legal Issues for In-House Counsel

Sushila Chanana is a panelist for the session, "The New Frontier AI Legal Issues for In-House Counsel,"   at the Bar Association of San Francisco's In-House Counsel Conference 2024. To register for the event, please click ...

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Publication

New Proposed Regulations Defining Donor Advised Fund Terms

Welcome to EO Radio Show - Your Nonprofit Legal Resource . Episode 63 explores new proposed regulations important to the administration of Donor Advised Funds (DAFs). The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department...

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Publication

An Introduction to DAFs and Overview of the Newly Proposed DAF Regulations

Welcome to EO Radio Show - Your Nonprofit Legal Resource. I’m Cynthia Rowland, and episode 62 describes new proposed regulations important to the administration of donor advised funds. The Internal Revenue Service and the...

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Publication

California Proposes New AI & Automated Decision-Making Technology Regulations

The California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) released its draft  regulatory framework for automated decision-making technology (ADMT) on November 27. These regulations are a preview of what new requirements may look like for companies currently...

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News

Proposal for Bar Exam Alternative Goes to California Supreme Court

Sarah Good, a member of the State Bar of California Board of Trustees, was quoted in The Recorder article, "Proposal for Bar Exam Alternative Goes to California Supreme Court." Read the article here (subscription...

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Event

2024 Environmental & Energy, Mass Torts, and Products Liability Litigation Committees' Joint Regional CLE Program

Sarah Bell will moderate the panel "PFAS: Everything Everywhere All at Once"  at the American Bar Association's 2024 Environmental & Energy, Mass Torts, and Products Liability Litigation Committees' Joint Regional CLE Program. Session Overview: PFAS...

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News

State Bar of California Board of Trustees Approves Plan to Pilot Portfolio Bar Exam

Sarah Good, a member of the State Bar of California Board of Trustees, spoke to KQED Newscast about the Board of Trustees's proposal to pilot a Portfolio Bar Exam.

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Publication

A Summary of New Laws Coming for California Employers in 2024

In 2023, California has adopted several new employment laws either introducing new employee protections or codifying existing practices into state law. With these changes, employers will need to examine and adjust some of their...

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News

Farella Braun + Martel Earns 2024 Best Law FirmsĀ® Rankings

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