The Nelson Mullins law firm is an important part of the Orange County tech startup ecosystem, and a GOLD Sponsor of the OC Startup Council.
Enjoy this exclusive interview with Joe Daniels, Partner and Co-Chair, Venture Capital and Emerging Companies, to learn more about what they do and how their work is helping local founders and startup companies succeed in Orange County:
What are the specialties of your firm? 
At Nelson Mullins we are nationally and globally renowned for our high quality, responsive and pragmatic representation of entrepreneurial tech, life sciences and other fast growth enterprises and the investors who support them.
- Our team has represented hundreds of startups over several decades, from university spinouts to novel inventors to serial entrepreneurs
- We have cultivated deep and broad investor relationships across many stages and industries, from angels to seed funds to VC’s to growth equity and PE firms and corporate investors, so our access to capital is meaningful and real
- We have a keen understanding of market terms and trends to get deals done effectively and efficiently
- Recognitions include consistent top rankings in the Pitchbook Global League Tables for representation of venture-backed companies and several of our team members gaining “Recognized Practitioner” status in the Chambers USA: National Startups and Emerging Companies rankings
We form and structure scores of startups each quarter so they are ready for financing, and regularly handle all sorts of financing transactions from startup to IPO and beyond, including SAFEs, convertible notes, priced equity rounds and public offerings—from friends and family transactions to institutional investors, and from pre-seed transactions to later stage transactions by fully mature companies.
We also regularly assist our clients in growth through acquisitions, partnerships and commercial agreements of every type and helping them exit through the acquisition of their companies or an underwritten IPO or other going public transaction (e.g., a direct listing or de-SPAC transaction).
Our investor-side practice includes numerous venture capital and private equity funds, hedge funds, and strategic investors. We help them form and expand their funds, make and manage portfolio investments, and sell the companies in which they invest.
Who are the clients you can help the most?
Tech, life sciences and consumer startups and investors.
What's the most common problem you help startup founders with?
Formation, financing, growth and exit.
Can you share a little history of your firm?
We've been around for 125 years, and now have around 85 emerging company lawyers, 350 M&A lawyers and 40 capital markets (IPO/SPAC) lawyers. The rest of our approximately 1,000 lawyers consist of litigators ready to sue and defend you nationwide, intellectual property attorneys for IP prosecution, litigation and licensing, and regulatory and lobbying specialists.
How big is your firm locally and nationally?
We have 31 offices in North America.
Favorite place in OC?
Favorite place in OC - the beach.
Why did your company join the OC Startup Council?
To advance the development of the startup and venture communities is Southern California.
Special Offer for OCSC Members:
Startups that have not yet incorporated can take advantage of their $1500 fixed fee "Formation Package". This offers Delaware incorporation, bylaws, equity and service agreements, stock option plans, NDAs, and other documents to get you ready for financing. And, already established startups can benefit from the firm's deferral of up to $15,000 (negotiable) in legal fees until financing. Free initial consultations with their experienced startup financing attorneys are available for new clients, too.
Thanks to Joe Daniels for sharing how Nelson Mullins works with startups here in Orange County.
And, thanks to Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP for their Gold Sponsorship support of the OC Startup Council and our efforts to accelerate Orange County’s tech ecosystem.
