|
Russ Smith is a shareholder in the Corporate and Securities Group with Durham Jones & Pinegar in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mr. Smith has represented principally start-up and emerging growth companies as well as venture capital funds for over 15 years. Mr. Smith has represented clients in a broad range of industries and sectors, including venture capital, life-sciences, software, internet, real estate, manufacturing, retail and telecommunications.
With respect to his start-up and emerging growth company clients, Mr. Smith's representation extends from pre-inception planning through acquisition or initial public offering, directly advising entrepreneurs, executive management, and Boards of Directors. As part of his start-up practice, Mr. Smith represents companies in matters such as:
entity formation and initial capitalization, including founder equity issuances and agreements among security holders;
equity compensation, including stock option plans;
private debt and equity placements, including venture capital and bank financings;
intellectual property transactions, including licensing, joint development and distribution arrangements and other technology transfer matters; and
mergers and acquisitions.
Mr. Smith also advises institutional investors and fund sponsors in connection with the formation and reorganization of venture capital funds. In such capacity, Mr. Smith has formed venture capital funds having aggregate capital commitments in excess of $650 million. Mr. Smith regularly serves as outside counsel to such venture capital funds.
Prior to joining Durham Jones & Pinegar in 2004, Mr. Smith spent the first 9 years of his legal career in the San Francisco Bay Area working for regional and national firms before spending 3 years in San Diego building the corporate and venture fund practice of Morrison & Foerster's newly established office in that city.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Officer, Business Section of the Utah State Bar (2005-present)
Member, San Diego Venture Group (2001-2003)
Member, Santa Clara County Bar Association (1992-2001)
Member, San Diego County Bar Association (2001-2003)
Executive Committee, Tax Section of the Santa Clara County Bar Association (1994-1998)
Chairman, Young Tax Lawyers Committee - South Bay Chapter (1996-1997)
Member, California State Bar Tax Section Pass-Through and Real Estate Committee (1996-1997).
| 