We are adept at structuring complicated pooling and tax-deferred transactions and assisting public companies in using their stock as currency in these transactions. In consolidations, a number of separate companies in a highly fragmented industry are combined, typically simultaneously with a financing transaction such as an initial public offering, a private equity infusion or a bank financing. These complex transactions draw on the extensive experience and expertise of our merger and acquisition attorneys, as well as our corporate finance and securities attorneys, in ensuring that all of the pieces of the deal come together quickly and correctly. We are aware that while an initial public offering is a possible exit strategy for each of our emerging private companies, most companies will be sold rather than go public. In these cases, the structure and terms of the sale transaction are critical to the founders and financiers realizing the benefit of their labor and investment.
Many new companies use equity to retain and reward their employees.
Later, as companies grow, other employment law, human resources and employee benefits issues become important. In each of these areas, Morgan Lewis lawyers have developed significant experience representing emerging growth companies, as well as large, mature companies. Protecting intellectual property assets is often paramount to a company's success. Our more than 80 intellectual property lawyers handle patent, trademark, trade secret and copyright registrations, licensing and litigation and provide intellectual property advice in a cost-effective manner. Recently, we have been reviewing our clients' Internet procedures and assisting in patenting proprietary processes and systems.