Scott practices in the area of corporate, tax and real estate law. Scott advises corporations, partnerships, LLCs and nonprofits in connection with all aspects of their operations. He works with private and public companies on equity and debt financings, securities matters, mergers & acquisitions and general business issues. Scott also represents start-up and early stage companies in connection with entity formation, tax planning, financings, stock option plans, licensing and other technology-related matters.
In addition to representing businesses from a multitude of different industries, Scott frequently works with venture capital funds, private equity funds, hedge funds and real estate funds. Scott represents such firms in connection with fund formations, investment activities, corporate governance, compliance and fund restructurings. Scott also has significant experience on the other side of the table, representing large institutional investors in connection with their investments in different funds and asset classes. Scott represents some of the largest institutional investors in California. He works with public and private universities, state and county retirement systems and large corporate investors.
Scott's tax background enables him to advise businesses, investors and real estate owners/developers in connection with deal structures and related tax issues. Scott is often asked to prepare and negotiate limited partnership and operating agreements that address complex allocation and distribution arrangements, tax credits and other unique financing arrangements.
Scott has developed a substantial practice in the green or sustainable business area. Scott has acted as legal counsel for some of the leading investors in this space, including Investors' Circle, Patient Capital Collaborative, Good Capital/Social Enterprise Expansion Fund, Mindful Capital and TBL Capital. Scott also represents leading companies in this area such as Kiva, Tendris, Carego, Lemnis Lighting and Planet Read. On a more personal level, Scott is a member of Full Circle Fund, which works closely with a variety of nonprofits on such issues as education, the environment and global economic issues.
Publications
"Your Loan Is In or Near Default—Here's What You Should Do," The Alliance of Chief Executives (March 2009)
"Is it time for your business to go green?," North Bay Business Journal (July 2008)
"Considering Venture Capital For Your Business?," SDForum News (April/May 2007)
"SEC Proposes Significant New Rules," San Francisco Business Times (February 2007)
"Negotiating a Venture Capital Term Sheet," SDForum News (February/March 2006)
"The California Tax Amnesty Program—With deadlines for participation looming, what you should know before deciding to do so," Business Brief (March 2005)
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Presentations
"Avoiding Formation and Compensation Pitfalls," co-speaker, Keiretsu Forum Entrepreneur Academy (September 2012)
"Legal Issues Facing Public Pensions," panelist, Opal Financial Group Public Funds Summit (January 2012)
"Reviewing Limited Partnership Agreements for Real Estate Funds," California Association of Public Retirement Systems (September 2006)
"Negotiating the Transaction/Structuring the Deal," Financing Renewable Energy Conference (May 2007)
"Negotiating Venture Capital Term Sheets," co-presenter, Technology Ventures Corporation Center for Commercialization & Entrepreneurial Training (June 2007)
"Entering the Entrepreneurial World," co-presenter, Technology Ventures Corporation Center for Commercialization & Entrepreneurial Training (July 2007)
"Mergers & Acquisitions," moderator, Alternative Energy Technology Showcase (March 2008)
"Taxing Matter: Will Your Carry Get Carried Away?" West Coast Mergers and Acquisitions Conference (March 2008)
"Corporate Social Responsibility and Good Corporate Governance: Is There Room for Both?" Association of Corporate Counsel, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter (April 2008)
"Term Sheets and Deal Structuring," co-presenter, Keiretsu Forum (November 2008)
"Entrepreneur Funding Boot Camp," Keiretsu Forum (January 2009, September 2008)
"Investor Academy on Term Sheets," Keiretsu Forum (January 2009)
"Supporting Your Employees During a Downturn," co-presenter, SF Works' Business Innovation Conversation (March 2009)
"What's the Deal? Understanding Terms of Debt and Equity Financings," Silicon Ventures (August 2009)
"Valuation and Deal Structuring," Investors' Circle Venture Fair and Forum (May 2011)
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