Be CURIOUS Be AMBITIOUS Be EXCEPTIONAL We re here to help SM
WELCOME TO VELA WOOD. We are a boutique law firm with a local feel and a global impact. Anchored in Texas, we proudly provide representation to a myriad of individuals and businesses across the world. Our mission is simple Be CURIOUS Be AMBITIOUS Be EXCEPTIONAL With a flexible billing model that focuses on relationships, and not time, we encourage both sides of the table clients and counselors, to ask questions and pursue a common goal. We proudly counsel hundreds of clients, and regularly advise them on matters such as venture financing, mergers & acquisitions, corporate governance, intellectual property matters, commercial real estate, and business litigation. We are not here to be your service provider. We want to be your partner.
Our PRACTICE AREAS M&A AND CORPORATE LAW STARTUPS PRIVATE EQUITY & VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDS FANTASY SPORTS AND GAMING LAW SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHTS REAL ESTATE
Representative TRANSACTIONS VENTURE Represented a Dallas-based consumer goods Represented a Dallas-based follow-on and enterprise tech manufacturer in a $1.5M venture fund in an $8M fund raise seed convertible note round Formed and represented two single- Represented a Dallas-based genetics purpose funds ($7.5M aggregate) to invest software company in a $6M stock exit to a in a consumer goods venture/private equity publicly traded company fund Represented a Dallas-based B2B software Represented an on-demand pediatric care company in a $1.5M Series A financing mobile app in three investment rounds ($6M aggregate) M&A Represented a Canada-based purchaser in Represented a Dallas-based investment a $1M purchase of a Texas manufacturing group in $8M in acquisitions in the executive company leasing space Represented a Dallas-based VOIP company Represented a Dallas-based media company in a $13M exit to a strategic partner in a $15M acquisition Represented a Dallas-based trash pickup Represented Nashville-based Aurisonics, company in a $4M exit to a publicly traded which makes high-end headphones and strategic partner in-ear monitors for the music industry and audiofiles, in its exit to Fender REAL ESTATE Represented a developer in the acquisition Represented a buyer in a series of and financing of a senior independent living commercial real estate acquisitions in the community in Memphis, Tennessee for a Uptown and Oak Lawn neighborhoods total purchase price of $5.65M of Dallas for a total purchase price of Represented a developer in the acquisition, approximately $4.6M construction, and financing of a 118-unit Represented a developer in the negotiation townhome complex in Rogers, Arkansas of a $12.5M construction loan to finance for a total purchase price of approximately the construction of a 41-unit condomunium $18M complex in Dallas
Our PROCESS CONSULTATION How can we help? ENGAGEMENT Let s get started. Q&A Tell us everything about your business. STRATEGY MAPPING Here s what we suggest. DELIVERY Let s review these together. Q&A What changes would you like to see? EXECUTION Sign here! REVIEW What s next?
OUR PARTNERS: Kevin Vela KEVIN VELA is a founding partner at Vela Wood. He focuses his practice in the areas of venture financing, fund formation, and M&A activities. In recent years, he has represented both startups and investors in over $100M in venture financing. Kevin was named a 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 Super Lawyers Rising Star, was honored by D Magazine as a Best Lawyer in Dallas, and is a Texas Bar Foundation Fellow, an honor granted to 1/3 of 1% of Texas attorneys. Kevin is a graduate of the University of Texas, where he earned his bachelor degree in business administration and juris doctorate degree with honors. He was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2008. Prior to law school, Kevin spent seven years in Dallas working in finance and marketing. Although he began his career working for Fortune 500 companies, an entrepreneurial spirit led Kevin to pursue roles in several startup companies. Kevin is active in the business and startup communities. He is the Chair of the Texas State Bar Committee for Law Focused Education. He is also a board member of CFxAustin and the Texas Wranglers Alumni Association, and is the chair of the Greenville Avenue Area Business Association (which puts on the annual St. Patrick s Day Parade in Dallas). He is a mentor for both RevTech, a leading venture accelerator and seed fund, and the Dallas Entrepreneur Center, which provides support and education to entrepreneurs and early-stage startups. Kevin is a founding member of The Dallas Angel Network (the DAN ), a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs with angel investors in Dallas. He is also a member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association and the Sports Lawyers Association. Further, Kevin co-manages a Dallas-based venture capital fund, Blossom Street Ventures, which is currently on its fourth fund. Select Transactions General Counsel for a a Dallas-based $10M venture fund General Counsel for a Dallas-based $30M venture fund General Counsel for RevTech, a Dallasbased accelerator Represented a Dallas-based media company in a $15M acquisition Represented a Dallas-based on-demand technology company in a $1.2M seed round Represented a Dallas-based SaaS company in over $6M in venture financing Represented an Australia-based public company in a $1.8M private investment Represented a Nashville-based consumer products company in a $3M exit to a publicly traded company Represented a San Diego-based SaaS startup in a $2M Series Seed round. Represented a Dallas-based software startup in a $1.25M Series A round Represented a Dallas-based health analytics company in a $6M exit
OUR PARTNERS: Radney Wood RADNEY WOOD is a named partner at Vela Wood. He divides his practice between commercial litigation and general corporate matters, concentrating on partnership disputes, corporate governance, venture financing, and contract negotiations. Radney represents dozens of companies ranging from early-stage startups to mid-size businesses, acting as general counsel and providing them with guidance on myriad business transactions, which range from legal matters to general operational issues. Radney received his B.A. in political science from Union College in Schenectady, New York in 2002, where he was a four-year starter on the varsity football team. He graduated from The University of Texas School of Law in the spring of 2008, where he was Order of the Coif and a Rappaport Human Rights Scholar. Before joining Vela Wood in 2015, Radney worked in the commercial litigation department of Baker Botts for four years, where he represented clients at trial and on appeal in both federal and state court on issues ranging from copyright infringement, breach of contract, and professional malpractice to trade secret misappropriation and property disputes. Radney is more than an Austin business lawyer; he is an active member of the Austin community who has served on the board of directors of the immigration non-profit American Gateways, helped his Rugby Club, The Austin Huns, obtain 501(c)(3) status, and routinely given of his time and money to Team Austin, a non-profit providing programming scholarships to at-risk youth. He also takes pro bono cases through VLS and participates in Austin Young Lawyer volunteer events. In addition to his law practice, Radney is the co-founder of the work-travel business, GlobeKick, which curates international travel programs in personal wellness and professional development for remote professionals. Select Transactions Represented an Austin-based bar in a $1.6M capital raise Represented a Dallas-based party with a multi-million dollar shareholder buyout Assisted with the representation of an Austin-based hospitality company in a $1.8M capital raise Assisted with the representation of a Dallas-based media company in a $15M acquisition Represented a Dallas-based technology startup in a $1M Series Seed financing round
OUR PARTNERS: Carr Staley CARR STALEY is a partner at Vela Wood. He represents financial institutions, private equity funds and public and private companies across multiple industries, including real estate development, energy, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality. He has a particular interest in emerging companies and startups. Carr graduated cum laude from the University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) in 2009, where he was a Note and Comment Editor of the UHLC Law Review. Prior to law school, Carr received a BA in Political Science from the University of Texas. After graduating from UHLC, Carr was a corporate and finance associate at Haynes and Boone from 2009-2012 and at Strasburger & Price from 2012-2016. Carr was named a Super Lawyer Rising Star for 2016, 2017, and 2018. Carr s practice focuses on advising his clients on a wide range of corporate and financial transactions, including commercial lending transactions, formation of venture capital funds and private equity funds, acquisitions and divestitures, and corporate restructuring and reorganization. Carr also assists his clients with general corporate governance and compliance matters. Select Transactions Represented an oil and gas exploration and production company in an acquisition of approximately 1875 net acres and nonoperated working interests in 214 producing wells in the Bakken Shale in North Dakota and Montana Represented a purchaser in a $9M asset acquisition from a veteran employment and recruiting service Represented a private equity fund in a $188M membership interest acquisition from a heavy equipment manufacturer Represented a hotel developer in an $8M Regulation D private offering in connection with the development of hotel properties Represented a pharmaceutical group in a $200K Regulation D private offering in connection with the development of a compounding pharmacy Represented a hospital group in $3.08M Regulation D private offering in connection with the development of a hospital Represented a hotel developer in a $171M Regulation S private offering in connection with the development of a convention center hotel
Our ATTORNEYS CHRISTOPHER M. JAQUEZ Senior Counsel Clients seek Christopher s strategic advice because of his broad corporate, finance, and transactional experience having represented private equity firms, corporations, funds, lenders, borrowers, hotel operators and joint ventures in M&A, corporate governance, intellectual property, and complex transactions in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Christopher is licensed in Texas, New York, and England. Prior to joining Vela Wood, Christopher practiced law with Kirkland & Ellis in New York and with Vinson & Elkins in London, and has managed transactions that range in size from tens of millions to several billion dollars. JENNY YOUNG Senior Counsel Jenny focuses her practice in the areas of commercial and business litigation with an emphasis on employment law, as well as provides clients with transactional advice, concentrating on entity formation, contract negotiations, and general business transactions. Before joining Vela Wood in 2016, Jenny began her legal practice working in a multitude of areas, including employment law litigation, commercial litigation, health law, real estate and land use, and public utilities. She later concentrated her practice on product liability litigation primarily for the automotive and pharmaceutical industries at a state and federal level. Jenny s national practice included defending large foreign and domestic automobile and pharmaceutical manufacturers, where she was intricately involved in all phases of litigation, later developing a specialty in settlement contract drafting and negotiating.
Our ATTORNEYS LINDSEY ALTMEYER Associate Lindsey is an associate at Vela Wood. She advises and counsels investors, entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses with an emphasis on venture financing, blue sky exemptions, and general corporate governance. LARA BUBALO MANOR Associate Lara is an associate at Vela Wood. She advises and counsels investors, entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses with an emphasis on fund formation, real estate transactions, private placements, mergers and acquisitions, and general business transactions. CAROLINE R. FABACHER Associate Caroline is an associate at Vela Wood. She advises and counsels investors, entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses with an emphasis on entity formation, capital raises, mergers and acquisitions, and general business transactions. Caroline also has extensive knowledge of the evolving legal landscape of the fantasy sports industry. She is a member of the Sports Lawyers Association and is a Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) Certified Agent.
Our ATTORNEYS MEAGHAN JOHNSTON Senior Associate Meaghan is a senior associate at Vela Wood. She advises and counsels investors, entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, private placements, corporate governance, and incentive plans. NIC O BRIEN Associate Nic is an associate at Vela Wood. He advises and counsels investors, entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses with an emphasis on entity formation, capital raises, mergers and acquisitions, and general business transactions. JUAN RAMOS Associate Juan is an associate at Vela Wood, where he practices in the areas of commercial litigation and general corporate law. He specializes in partnership disputes, corporate governance, contract drafting, and negotiation. Juan has represented domestic and international clients and has guided them through a myriad of business transactions, ranging from general operational issues, to structuring their companies in a general counsel capacity, to cross-border dispute resolution.
Our ATTORNEYS AARON TERWEY Senior Associate Aaron is a senior associate at Vela Wood. Aaron represents startups, entrepreneurs, investors, and established businesses in a wide range of matters, with an emphasis on venture financings (both equity and convertible debt), mergers and acquisitions, and acts as outside general counsel. Prior to joining Vela Wood, Aaron was a corporate associate at Locke Lord and a member of the inaugural class of the Dallas Entrepreneur Center Ambassador Program. JEFF VILLALOBOS Associate Jeff is an associate at Vela Wood. He advises and counsels investors, startups, and established businesses with an emphasis on trademarks, licensing agreements, copyrights, terms of service and privacy policies, intellectual property agreements, and general business transactions.
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