Concentration

Mergers and acquisitions; corporate transactions; financing for technology-focused companies; venture capital and private equity fund transactions; counsel for nonprofit corporations; corporate investigations and representation of boards of directors and special committees

Summary

Charles Szalkowski is a partner in the corporate department of Baker Botts, where he helps lead the technology and emerging growth companies practice.

For more than 35 years, Mr. Szalkowski has represented public and venture-backed companies, and the investment bankers for, and investors in, those companies. He counsels private equity funds, hedge funds and institutional investors, including large insurance companies, universities and other endowments.

Mr. Szalkowski's clients come from such diverse fields as energy services, telecommunications, consumer and industrial products, software and many ventures whose businesses fall within the intellectual property sphere, including biotechnology, medical devices, Internet content and e-commerce.

Mr. Szalkowski has also represented many large and small clients in mergers and acquisitions (both public and private companies), and in joint ventures, partnerships and strategic alliances.

He also regularly advises a number of nonprofit organizations in connection with their legal affairs, including trade associations, universities, arts organizations, social service agencies and other charities.

In December 2005, Mr. Szalkowski was appointed general counsel of Baker Botts. In that position, he advises his partners and colleagues on professional, ethical and other matters.

Representative Engagements

• Audit Committee of a large public company – investigation of a large embezzlement by a senior executive
• Public crude oil midstream services company – financings, securities regulatory matters, sale of business
• Board of Regents, very large public university – special counsel on investment affiliate matters
• Internet research library company – venture capital funding aggregating over $120 million
• Privately owned investment firm – purchases and sales of investment positions in portfolio companies aggregating over $300 million
• Public environmental services company – financings, sales of subsidiaries, and securities regulatory matters
• NYSE-listed oilfield services company – merger with another company valued at more than $2.6 billion
• Private university and other nonprofit organizations – various general corporate and other matters
• Numerous early-stage companies involved in software, medical products, transportation equipment, Internet content, and financial services – angel and venture capital funding
• Numerous private equity investors – purchases and sales of investment positions in established companies and in early-stage companies
• Several investment banks – initial public offerings and other equity and debt offerings and private placements
• Numerous companies – public and private offerings of equity and debt securities

Publications, Speeches and Presentations

Selected Speeches and Presentations

• Speaker: "Conflicts of Interest and Other Ethical Issues Facing Law Firms and In-House Lawyers," Advanced Business Law Course, Texas Bar CLE, Dallas, October 2011
• Panelist, "Ethics: Conflicts and Conflict Waivers," American College of Investment Counsel Forum, Chicago, April 2011
• Panelist: "Law Firm General Counsel Forum," Aon Law Firm Symposium, Chicago, October 2010
• Panelist, "Lawyer and Law Firm Disputes," Texas Bar CLE and Texas Tech University School of Law, Dallas, September 2010
• Panelist, "FASB's Anticipated Requirements Changes," The General Counsel Forum, Houston, July 2010
• Planning Committee Member, Conference on Securities Regulation and Business Law, The University of Texas School of Law, Dallas, February 2010
• Planning Committee Member, Conference on Securities Regulation and Business Law, The University of Texas School of Law, Dallas, February 2009
• Planning Committee Member, Conference on Securities Regulation and Business Law, The University of Texas School of Law, Dallas, February 2008
• Speaker, "Fee Agreements, Engagement Letters, and Conflict Waivers," Technology Law Conference, Austin, May 2008
• Speaker, "Some Ethics Consideration for Lawyers Working With Nonprofits," Nonprofit Law Institute, HYLA/United Way, Houston, April 2008
• Planning Committee Chairman and Presiding Officer, Conference on Securities Regulation and Business Law, The University of Texas School of Law, Dallas, February 2008
• Planning Committee Member, Presiding Officer, and Panel Commentator, "The Use, Advantages, and Disadvantages of Standardized Deal Forms for Private Placements and Venture Capital Deals," Conference on Securities Regulation and Business Law Problems, The University of Texas School of Law, Dallas, February 2006
• Panel Moderator, "Best Practices for Buying, Integrating, and Divesting Business Acquisitions," Association for Corporate Growth, Houston, November 2005
• Panel Moderator, "The Art of the Auction: Risks, Rewards, and Strategies," Mergers and Acquisitions Institute, The University of Texas School of Law, Dallas, May 2005
• Program Co-Chair, Private Equity Financing Techniques and Strategies for 2005, The Seminar Group, Dallas, May 2005
• Planning Committee Member and Presiding Officer, Corporate Counsel Institute, The University of Texas School of Law, Houston, March 2005
• Presiding Officer and Moderator, "Public Company Reporting," Conference on Securities Regulation and Business Law Problems, The University of Texas School of Law, Dallas, February 2005
• Program Co-Chair, Venture Capital/Private Equity and Mezzanine Debt, The Seminar Group, Dallas, May 2004
• Planning Committee Member and Speaker, "Going Barefoot: Taking Off Those SOx," Conference on Securities Regulation and Business Law Problems, The University of Texas School of Law, Dallas, February 2004