Corporate Finance
Downey Brand’s regional business clients range from large privately-held companies to publicly traded companies, family run businesses, non-profits, and start-ups, across all industries. For this wide range of clients, Downey Brand’s attorneys conduct a broad range of public and private finance transactions, both equity and debt, tailored to the need of the client’s industry and individual business circumstances.
Financing needs vary: A business may want to grow, or restructure, or address a long-term capital need. An entrepreneur may want capital for a new business. An established business may want to buy a complementary business, or acquire it by merger. Depending on the client, the best financing approach might be secured debt, the public and private issuance of equity, or some other transaction. Downey Brand attorneys bring the experience and knowledge from having successfully conducted a wide range of situations, to provide each client with a solution specific to its needs.
Downey Brand also represents the finance provider side of transactions, acting as counsel to financial institutions, including hedge funds. In addition to representing lenders in our Financial Institutions practice, Downey Brand routinely counsels borrowers in obtaining loans of varying sizes and complexity, including senior secured syndicated credit facilities, mezzanine loans, revolving lines of credit, letters of credit, term and equipment financings, real estate secured loans and a broad array of other commercial lending transactions.
While a typical corporate finance transaction involves questions of corporate law, tax law, and securities law, there may also be litigation, bankruptcy, or regulatory concerns, and as a full service firm, Downey Brand is able to address them.
Downey Brand also provides clients with expertise on executive compensation questions, including equity compensation plans, corporate governance matters, and compliance with federal and state securities laws and the rules of national securities exchanges, including on-going SEC disclosure for publicly traded companies.
Selected Experience
- $300 million multi-currency global finance facility for non-profit company client.
- $37.9 million SEC registered public offering of common stock.
- Public offering of common stock issued in connection with merger to create $1 billion bank.
- $300 million multi-currency global finance facility for non-profit company client.
- $37.9 million SEC registered public offering of common stock.
- Public offering of common stock issued in connection with merger to create $1 billion bank.
- California fairness hearing for acquisition of ESOP owned company.
- California fairness hearing for $300 million merger of venture capital backed technology company.
- Ongoing corporate and securities advice to public companies and their boards of directors, including reviewing Form 10-Ks, 10-Qs, 8-Ks, proxy statements, and press releases and ongoing compliance with the corporate governance requirements of the federal securities laws and national securities exchanges.
Joseph G. De Angelis
Joseph G. De Angelis
Partner

For more than 20 years, Joe De Angelis has combined his legal skills and accounting background to guide his clients through complex tax planning and business transactions. His substantial experience as a certified public accountant is extremely valuable to clients requiring practical business solutions for complex legal issues.
Sacramento 916.520.5308 direct
Partner
Sacramento 916.520.5308 direct
Matthew W. Ellis
Partner
San Francisco 415.848.4846 direct
James Robertson
James Robertson
Partner

James Robertson uses a unique combination of legal skills and business leadership experience to provide his clients with practical and efficient legal advice and to counsel his clients through complex business transactions and an increasingly burdensome regulatory environment.
Sacramento 916.520.5363 direct
Partner
Sacramento 916.520.5363 direct
Reno 775.329.5900 direct
Danielle R. Stephens
Danielle R. Stephens
Partner

Danielle Stephens is a skilled transactional attorney who assists clients with commercial real estate leasing, financing (including CMBS and SBA loans), acquisitions and sales, easements, and title matters with a focus on contractual negotiations requiring collaborative deal-making. She also advises on matters involving contaminated properties including due diligence and remediation.
Sacramento 916.520.5475 direct
Partner
Sacramento 916.520.5475 direct
James L. Wigginton
Senior Associate
Sacramento 916.520.5332 direct
Press Releases
4 related items-
May 21, 2020Downey Brand Welcomes James Wigginton to its Growing Corporate Group in Sacramento
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February 7, 2020Danielle Stephens Rejoins Downey Brand as a Partner
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December 12, 2017Downey Brand Names Six New Partners
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January 1, 2015Downey Brand Names Four New Partners
Speaking Engagements / Events
1 related items-
July 27, 2015Igniting Momentum a Startup Primer
Co-presenter, Velocity Venture Capital Entrepreneurial Drive
Legal Alerts
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June 19, 2020More Updates on the PPP, Including New Borrower-Friendly Forgiveness Applications
Downey Brand COVID-19 News and UpdatesBusiness -
June 4, 2020Senate Passes Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020: What Small Businesses Can Expect
Downey Brand COVID-19 News and UpdatesBusiness
Publications
3 related items-
October 2016No Longer a Business tax Haven? The Impacts of Nevada’s New Commerce Tax
Northern Nevada Business Weekly, Business Law Guide -
April 2014Securities Law Update: Grocery Industry Companies May Now Raise Capital By Advertising
California Grocer, Issue 2 -
Spring 2008Hedge Funds and Public Disclosure Requirements: Is the SEC Telling Secrets?
Nevada Law Journal, Vol. 8, Iss. 2, Article 11