Emerging Companies & Venture Capital
Downey Brand has a long tradition of guiding entrepreneurs, emerging companies and investors through the legal issues encountered in the development, operation and financing of businesses. From formation and financing to sales and public offerings, our corporate group is positioned to assist both companies and investors in every legal issue faced during any stage of a company’s evolution.
Downey Brand is a full service firm with a broad platform of legal services, and we leverage these collective skills and experience to provide integrated, efficient and effective representation to our clients. For entrepreneurs, emerging companies and investors, this provides an unparalleled depth of experience and the ability to scale services in accordance with needs, all at a cost that makes an effective use of company resources.
Recently, Downey Brand serves as virtual general counsel to a software company that has received the Best New Tech Company of the Year in the American Business Awards, and has assisted with that company’s organization, operation and positioning and exploration of venture capital investment; and served as lead counsel on a $47,000,000 investment by a private equity group in a software company. In addition to these recent representative transactions, Downey Brand has negotiated and closed countless angel, venture capital and other private financings for emerging companies and investors.
Because of our intimate involvement with the businesses of our entrepreneurial and investor clients and their passions, our emerging companies and venture capital practice is highly engaging and exciting, and among the most gratifying services we provide.
Emerging Companies
Downey Brand offers comprehensive, business-minded counsel to emerging companies and entrepreneurs across all industries and stages of development, including: advising on organizational matters, including entity selection, organizational documents, ownership and capital structure, and compensation and option plans; serving as a virtual general counsel, assisting with corporate governance, securities regulation, day-to-day business issues, labor and employment issues, litigation, protection and commercialization of intellectual property, and the development and implementation of legal and business strategies; assisting with the identification, analysis and implementation of financing strategies, including angel financing, venture capital, private placements and public offerings; and, planning for and examination and execution of exit strategies whether by merger, acquisition or public offering.
Venture Capital
In addition to entrepreneurs and emerging companies, Downey Brand also provides sophisticated representation to private investors and venture capital and other private investment firms and funds, including: advising on fund formation, structure and governance; assisting with the identification and investigation of investments; and structuring, managing and implementing any form of financing transaction.
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
Steven B. Hymas, II
Steven B. Hymas, II
Partner / Chair, Corporate, Securities and Tax Group

With over a decade of prior experience working in business and technology, Steve Hymas has a deep understanding of the legal issues clients face in relation to how their businesses work, the technical challenges they face, and how to handle those issues to best address their needs.
Sacramento 916.520.5538 direct
Partner
Sacramento 916.520.5538 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
James L. Wigginton
Senior Associate
Sacramento 916.520.5332 direct
Press Releases
3 related items-
May 21, 2020Downey Brand Welcomes James Wigginton to its Growing Corporate Group in Sacramento
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December 12, 2017Downey Brand Names Six New Partners
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January 6, 2017Downey Brand Names New Partners and Counsel
Speaking Engagements / Events
1 related items-
July 27, 2015Igniting Momentum a Startup Primer
Co-presenter, Velocity Venture Capital Entrepreneurial Drive