People

Overview

Michael Torosian is a partner in the Corporate Practice in the San Francisco office. Michael is outside general counsel to emerging companies and their investors and advisors at all stages, from formation and seed financing through development of the business and venture capital financings, through the liquidity event, whether a sale of the company or an IPO, and life as a public company.

Michael represents private companies, public companies, venture capital firms, investment banks and financial advisors in the technology, renewable energy, and life sciences industries.

He advises clients on corporate securities, finance, commercial transactions, intellectual property, patent, trademark, executive compensation and benefits, regulatory, tax, employment, data security and privacy, real estate, litigation and international matters. In addition, he counsels public company management and boards on corporate governance, disclosure and reporting obligations and SEC, FINRA and exchange matters.

Prior to his legal career, Mr. Torosian worked with management and boards of directors of companies in audit and consulting as a CPA at a Big Four firm.

Admissions & Affiliations

  • State Bar of California
  • J.D., Duke University School of Law 2000
  • Master of Laws, Duke University 2000
  • M.P.A., Business & Professional Accounting, The University of Texas 1994
  • B.B.A., Accounting, The University of Texas 1993

Experience

  • Michael has represented startup companies and venture capital firms and corporate investors in hundreds of bet-the-company private placements of equity and debt in numerous cutting-edge technology markets.
  • Michael has represented issuers, underwriters and investors in numerous public equity offerings.
  • Michael has represented buyers and sellers and financial advisors in dozens of M&A transactions, including public and private acquisitions and sales, mergers, stock purchases, tender offers, joint ventures, and spin-off transactions, including cross-border transactions.


Awards and Community

Recognized by The Legal 500 U.S. in M&A: Middle Market (2017) and Venture Capital and Emerging Companies (2018)