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.

Thorough legal due diligence for target companies, including corporate, IP, employment, tax, and regulatory review.
Drafting and negotiating preferred stock financings, SAFEs, convertible notes, and other structured investment instruments.
Advising on roll-ups, strategic acquisitions, secondary transactions, and sales, including IPO readiness and M&A exits.
Ongoing legal support for governance, commercial contracts, employment issues, regulatory compliance, and IP protection.

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.

M&A

Representation of a founder-led SaaS company in its acquisition of a venture backed complementary business.

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Mergers & Acquisitions

M&A

Representation of a SaaS platform company in its acquisition of a competitor, structuring a mixed cash and equity transaction with earnout and management incentive alignment.

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Mergers & Acquisitions

Venture Capital

Representation of one of the Midwest’s most active seed-stage venture funds in more than 125 financings, including SAFEs, seed rounds, and Series A investments, as well as ongoing advice on follow-on financings and portfolio company exits.

Private Equity & Venture Capital

M&A

Representation of AgTech company in its seed, Series A, and bridge financing rounds, followed by its acquisition by a large multinational company.

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Mergers & Acquisitions

Venture Capital

Representation of software, technology, life sciences, and other venture-backed companies across early- and growth-stage financings, including SAFE, convertible note, Series A, and Series B rounds.

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Venture Capital

Representation of technology company in ~$50M Series B equity financing with top tier VC participation.

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Venture Capital

Representation of an AI-enabled PropTech platform company in its ~$15M Series A financing led by institutional investors, including corporate conversion to a Delaware C-corp and implementation of an equity incentive plan.

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Venture Capital

Representation of a FinTech company in its ~$75M Series C financing, including a negotiated secondary component providing liquidity to early stakeholders.

Private Equity & Venture Capital