Counsel · Morse
Venture capital, M&A, and corporate counsel for founders, growth-stage companies, and investors across the full company lifecycle from first financing to exit.
Get in touchDan advises startup founders, growth-stage companies, and investors on the full range of corporate and transactional matters, from entity formation through venture financings, strategic transactions, and exits. He represents clients in VC financings at every stage, M&A deals, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships.
Drawing on experience at international law firms and as in-house counsel, Dan understands the pressures founders and executives face when raising capital, negotiating terms, and scaling operations. He helps clients navigate those moments efficiently while protecting long-term value.
Dan has particular experience with technology, life sciences, AgTech, and FoodTech companies, including SaaS and technology-enabled businesses. He also counsels boards and management teams on governance, cap table structuring, and transaction readiness.
Seed through late-stage financings, preferred stock, convertible notes, SAFEs, term sheet negotiation, and investor side letters.
Stock and asset purchases, cross-border acquisitions, founder-led company sales, acquihires, and sell-side and buy-side representation.
Board matters, cap table structuring, transaction readiness, and counsel to boards and management teams on governance best practices.
Entity formation, founder equity, early-stage structuring, and ongoing corporate counsel for companies from inception through growth.
Negotiation of operating agreements, cross-border joint ventures, and strategic partnerships involving institutional and strategic investors.
Commercial agreements, licensing arrangements, and contract negotiation supporting business operations and strategic transactions.
Represented a private biotechnology company in its $1.1 billion sale to a private buyer, including negotiation of two contingent value rights agreements.
Represented a software company and its foreign subsidiary in a $295 million sale.
Represented a private mileage reimbursement company in a $155 million rollover transaction.
Represented a foreign public buyer in the $55 million acquisition of a private software company with subsidiaries in multiple international jurisdictions.
Represented a private information services company in its $37 million sale to a strategic public buyer.
Represented a foreign strategic buyer in the acquisition of a recreational vehicle manufacturer and its Canadian subsidiary.
Represented a private contract research organization in its $15 million sale to a strategic buyer.
Represented an online retailer and its foreign subsidiary in a distressed sale.
Represented the issuer in a $117 million initial public offering.
Represented the issuer in a $60 million initial public offering.
Represented a public manufacturer of robotic surgical systems in PIPE transactions totaling $61.5 million.
Represented a biotechnology company in multiple financing rounds totaling $80 million.
Represented an investor in a $150 million Series D financing for a logistics company.
Represented an investor in multiple financing rounds totaling $85 million in a biotechnology company.
Represented a diagnostics company in a $45.5 million Series D financing.
Represented a fintech company in a $40 million Series C financing.
Represented an investor in a $400 million Series C financing for a cell-cultivated meat company.
Represented an investor in a convertible note financing for a carbon credit platform.
Represented a strategic investor in acquiring a $300 million interest in an operating company in Argentina.
Represented a strategic investor in acquiring a $100 million minority interest in a consumer packaged goods company in Saudi Arabia.
Represented a strategic investor in a joint venture with an on-demand storage provider, including a $30 million equity financing.
Represented a strategic investor in a cross-border joint venture with a European company to construct a U.S. manufacturing facility with a $210 million equity financing.
Represented a strategic investor in a $20 million joint venture with a commodity producer in Tanzania.
Represented a public enterprise management company in a cross-border joint venture with a private consumer storage company.
Represented a manufacturer in a long-term profit sharing agreement with a commodity producer involving an initial $120 million license fee.
Represented a real estate developer and management company in a reorganization involving 70 properties, including solar farms.
Advised on migratory mergers of corporations and limited liability companies across multiple states into Delaware entities.
Dan has practiced at leading international law firms and served as in-house counsel at both a Fortune 100 food company and a growth-stage technology company through its exit. This breadth of experience across BigLaw, corporate legal departments, and high-growth startups informs a practice style that is practical, efficient, and calibrated to business realities.
Writing on the legal and business issues that matter most to founders, investors, and growth-stage companies across California, Texas, Massachusetts, New York, and Arkansas. Recent pieces are published through Morse. Standalone posts will appear here.
Choosing Your Business Entity: Structure, State, and What Founders Get Wrong
California's Venture Capital Diversity Reporting Law: Imminent Deadlines, Open Questions, and What to Do Now
Side Letters in Venture Capital Financings: What Founders Need to Know
Basics of an Acquihire
Food Contract Manufacturing Agreements: Six Things to Know
Five Steps to Preparing for Your Venture Capital Financing
Three Things to Consider in a Corporate Venture Capital Investment