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Private Equity & Venture Capital

Overview

At Gutwein Law, we represent private equity firms, venture capital funds, startups, and portfolio companies through every stage of the investment lifecycle. From term sheets to exits, we deliver the legal insight backed by deep transactional experience needed to close deals efficiently.

We serve emerging companies and investors in a wide range of industries, including technology, life sciences, manufacturing, healthcare, SaaS, consumer products, and beyond. 

For Investors

  1. Thorough legal due diligence for target companies, including corporate, IP, employment, tax, and regulatory review.

  2. Drafting and negotiating preferred stock financings, SAFEs, convertible notes, and other structured investment instruments.

  3. Advising on roll-ups, strategic acquisitions, secondary transactions, and sales, including IPO readiness and M&A exits.

  4. Ongoing legal support for governance, commercial contracts, employment issues, regulatory compliance, and IP protection.

For Startups & Emerging Companies

  • Assistance in selecting the optimal legal structure and implementing appropriate governance documents and foundational agreements to position companies for rapid growth.

  • Guiding companies through seed, Series A/B/C+, and bridge rounds, from deal structuring to investor negotiations and closings.

  • Advising founders on equity splits, vesting schedules, board structure, and long-term growth strategies.

  • Drafting and implementing stock option plans, RSUs, and other equity-based compensation arrangements.

Successes

Venture Capital

Representation one of the Midwest's most active seed stage venture funds in more than 100 financings

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Acquisition

Representation of buyer in its acquisition of a logistics company valued at over $10M

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Venture Capital

Representation of B2B technology company in $3M Series A equity financing

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Venture Capital

Representation of biotech company in $1.5M convertible note financing

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Venture Capital

Representation of B2B technology company in $500k SAFE financing

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Venture Capital

Representation of technology company in $50M Series B equity financing

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Venture Capital

Representation of mobility technology company in $15M Series A equity financing

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Venture Capital

Representation of B2B technology company in $12M Series B equity financing

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Venture Capital

Representation of fintech company in $75M Series C equity financing

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Venture Capital

Representation of HR technology company in $2.5M Series Seed equity financing

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Financing

Represented acquirer in the financing and acquisition of a 238,000 square foot industrial facility.
Private Equity & Venture Capital

Financing

Represented borrower and pledgor in the restructure and refinance of existing debt for an operating mixed-use property in the Midwest.
Private Equity & Venture Capital

Financing

Represented borrower in refinance and reorganization of $44.9M of senior and mezzanine debt facilities.
Private Equity & Venture Capital

Project Finance

Represented the sponsor in the closing of construction financing and tax equity commitments in excess of $392M related to a 400 MW solar farm in Indiana.
Private Equity & Venture Capital

Venture Financing

Representation one of the Midwest's most active seed stage venture funds in more than 100 financings
Private Equity & Venture Capital

The Private Equity & Venture Capital Team

Brian D Casserly portrait

Brian D. Casserly

Business Law

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