A
- David M. Amidon
- Christopher L. Ayers
B
- Ronald P. Barriere
- Victor Bass
- Raymond E. Baxter
- Sara Yevics Beccia
- James H. Belanger
- Brian D. Bixby
- Gil Breiman
- Stephen D. Brook
- Harvey M. Burg
- Thomas D. Burns
C
- Benjamin C. Caldwell
- Laura L. Carroll
- Cornelius (Con) J. Chapman
- Stephen Y. Chow
- Richard M. Coen
- Sean O. Coffey
- Clifford R. Cohen
- Jerry Cohen
- Robert Clark Corrente
- Elizabeth G. Crowley
- Lisa M. Cukier
D
- Anatoly M. Darov
- Shepard Davidson
- Sara A. Decatur
- John F. Drew
- Andrea T. Dunbar
E
- Donald J. Ellis
- Jacob (Jesse) N. Erlich
F
- Timothy J. Famulare
- George P. Field
- Christine N. Fletcher
- Nicholas Forgione
- Dianne L. Frade
- Robert D. Friedman
G
- Francine Gardikas
- Zachary R. Gates
- Jack S. Gearan
- Frances Allou Gershwin
- Leonard M. Gold
- David W. Gomes
- Steven C. Goodwin
- Jennifer B. Green
- Lawrence G. Green
H
- C. Russel Hansen, Jr.
- Evelyn A. Haralampu
- Alison R. Harrall
- Paul Marshall Harris
- Dr. Shahid Hasan
- P. Andy Henderson, Jr.
- Tiffany M. Howard
- H. Shirley Huang
- Jeffrey M. Hurwit
I
- Renee Inomata
J
- Bruce D. Jobse
K
- Harvey Kaye
- Dennis J. Kelly
- John (Jack) A. Kessler, Jr.
- Shabbi S. Khan
L
- Michael B. Leahy
- Jonathan P. Levi
- Alan E. Lipkind
- Dr. Orlando Lopez
- David M. Losier
- Robin M. Lynch Nardone
M
- Michael D. MacClary
- Mark W. Manning
- Andrea L. Martin
- Jeffrey R. Martin
- Erica Mastrangelo
- Paul R. Mastrocola
- Howard D. Medwed
- Andrew J. Merken
- Harry S. Miller
- Dr. Ronda P. Moore
- Scott H. Moskol
- Leslie B. Muldowney
- Paul T. Muniz
- Elizabeth Brady Murillo
- Christina M. Murray
- Lawrence P. Murray
N
- Lynn C. Norton
- Mark A. Nowak
O
- Robert J. O'Regan
P
- Frederick S. Paulsen
- Deborah J. Peckham
- Francis E. Perkins, Jr.
- Richard G. Pichette
- Chad J. Porter
- Katherine E. Potter
Q
R
- Thomas T. Reith
- Robert C. Rives
- David P. Rosenblatt
S
- Michael V. Samarel
- Paul M. Sanford
- Marlo M. Schepper
- Mark Schonfeld
- Frank A. Segall
- Samuel M. Shafner
- David M. Shamberger
- William M. Simmons
- Normand F. Smith
- William V. Sopp
- Norman C. Spector
- Paul E. Stanzler
- Malcolm W. Starr
- Susan E. Stenger
- Laura R. Studen
- Dr. Janine M. Susan
- Howard J. Susser
- Melissa E. Sydney
T
- Merton E. Thompson
- George N. Tobia, Jr.
- Matthew J. Tuttle
- Michael P. Twohig
U
- Tal M. Unrad
V
- Nancy R. Van Tine
- Donald E. Vaughan
- Josef B. Volman
W
- Victoria L. Walton
- Robert W. Weinstein
- Herbert M. Weiss
X
Y
Z
- Ellen J. Zucker
- Peter F. Zupcofska
Samuel M. Shafner
Partner
Office Phone: 617.345.3222
Location: Boston, MA
Send an email
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Practice:
Bar Admissions:
Massachusetts
New York
Experience:
Mr. Shafner has concentrated his practice exclusively in the area of transactional corporate and securities law for more than twenty years. Mr. Shafner has particular expertise in assisting emerging technology companies, both domestic and international, in their capital formation as well as in basic business contract needs.
Most of Mr. Shafner's clients are high-technology businesses and venture capital firms specializing in high technology investments. Consequently, Mr. Shafner frequently negotiates software licenses, distribution arrangements, strategic partnerships and similar IP (intellectual property) sensitive matters. However, he also represents a number of low-tech manufacturers and distributors nationwide.
A major portion of Mr. Shafner's practice deals with corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. He frequently counsels domestic and international clients in IPO's and other public securities offerings, venture capital transactions, private placements, and strategic partnering arrangements. He regularly negotiates and closes acquisitions and sales of businesses, divisions and product lines in major industries, particularly (but not exclusively) high-technology oriented.
As a result of his knowledge of the investment banking industry, Mr. Shafner often co-counsels with litigators in securities law disputes, particularly broker-investor disputes, and represents underwriting firms in regulatory matters.
Memberships:
- Boston Bar Association
- American Friends of the Israel National Museum of Science, Steering Committee
- American Arbitration Association, Boston Chapter, formerly served on its Roster Review Committee
- New England Investors Committee of Capital Innovation, President
Additional Information:
- Mr. Shafner began his legal career in New York, then moved to Boston to practice corporate law at a major Boston law firm.
- In 1989 Mr. Shafner co-founded Shafner, Gilleran & Mortensen, P.C., where he headed the corporate and securities practice until the firm's merger in 1998.
- While at Boston University School of Law, Mr. Shafner served as an editor of the Boston University Law Review.
Education:
- J.D., Boston University School of Law, 1978
- B.A., Columbia University
Quotes:
-
11/4/2009, Law360 - Q&A with Burns & Levinson's Samuel Shafner
Samuel Shafner was featured in this Q&A article by Law360. For more information about Law360, click here. -
3/1/2006, Corporate UK - Metris makes three Acquisitions
Samuel Shafner was quoted in the March issue of Corporate UK magazine regarding Burns & Levinson's counsel for Metris, a UK based technology company, during the three acquisitions they made. -
2/1/2006, mergers & acquisitions - Metris closes three deals
Samuel Shafner was quoted in the article Metris closes three deals in the February/March issue of mergers & acquisitons magazine, which is published in the UK.
Recent Articles and Publications:
Near-Term Prospects for Institutional and Government Investments in Venture Capital Funds
Focus [Page 1], Fall 2010
Response to SEC's Hallmark Capital no-action letter
VC Experts: Buzz Article, September 6, 2007
What VCs Want to Hear
Mass High Tech, March 3-9, 2003
Recession-Era Funding: Writing the Right Business Plan
Focus, Winter 2002
Venture Capital Negotiating Suggestions
White Paper, 2001
Speaking Engagements:
Montreal International Venture Forum 2012, 3.28.2012
Location: Montreal
Role: Moderator
Topic: Experts Panel: International Strategic Investment
More info
Toronto Venture Forum 2012, 2.28.2012
Location: Trump International Tower & Hotel, Toronto
Role: Moderator
Topic: Early Stage VCs and Angel panel
More info
Law Firm Alliance Webinar, 12.7.2011
Role: Speaker
Topic: Venture Funding without Borders: How to attract, negotiate, and manage cross-border investments by venture capitalists, both financial and strategic, and financial angels
ExecSense Webinar, 12.2.2011
Role: Speaker
Topic: Attracting Offshore Limited Partner Investments to U.S. Venture Capital Funds
ACC Event - Digging for Deals: Sourcing and Negotiating Strategic Tech Alliances in Emerging Markets, 12.1.2011
Location: Burns & Levinson, 125 Summer Street, Boston MA
Role: Moderator
Capital Innovation Conference, 10.6.2011
Location: Montreal
Role: Moderator
Topic: Angel and seed fund from New England and Ontario
More info
Protocole – Capital Innovation cocktail party in Boston, 4.4.2011
Location: Cambridge Innovation Center
Role: Moderator
2011 Venture Capital Forum, 2.1.2011
Location: Montreal, Canada
Role: Speaker
Topic: Going Public: An exit vehicle or an alternative funding source?
2010 New England Venture Summit, 12.15.2010
Location: Dedham, MA
Role: Moderator
Topic: Corporate Venture Money: Funding Outside Innovation
WPI Venture Forum, 11.17.2010
Location: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Role: Speaker
Topic: Corporate Needs for Small Companies
International Financial Forum, 7.6.2010
Location: Paris, France
Role: Panelist
Topic: Canada, a Land of Opportunity for Financial Services and Young Innovative Companies
2010 Tremblant Venture Forum Program, 5.5.2010
Location: Fairmont Tremblant Hotel - Quebec, Canada
Role: Moderator
Topic: Venture Capital Financing in the Next Decade: Challenges & Opportunities
Sam Shafner will be a moderator at this event for the following panels: "Strategic Investors/Partners: Big Brother is Funding You!" and "Venture Capital in the New Decade: Major Changes in US and Canadian VC Funds?"
Boston Patent Law Association: Internal Firm Negotiations Agreements, Compensation and Power, 4.21.2010
Location: Boston, MA
Role: Speaker
Topic: Splitting the Pie -- Compensation Methods, Originations Allocations, and other Blood Sports
Cross-border Business Partnerships from Technology to Commercialization, 2.3.2010
Location: Colonnade Hotel, Boston MA
Role: Moderator
Topic: Fundraising for VC's
European - North American Venture Capital Forum, 2.2.2010
Location: Montreal, Canada
Role: Moderator
Topic: Government-sponsored Funds of Funds -- Investing the Government's Money to Support Middle Stage VC Fund Growth
Tremblant Venture Forum 2009, 5.13.2009
Location: Mont Tremblant, Québec
Role: Panelist
Yearly event for investors and early-stage and growth-stage companies in the Information and Communications Technoloy (ICT) and Cleantech sectors.
NECBC's 11th Annual U.S. Canada Technology Business Forum, 2.3.2009
Location: Boston, MA
Role: Moderator
Topic: Fundraising for VC's
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education 26th Annual Business and Security Law Conference 2008, 10.30.2008
Role: Panelist
Topic: The Perils of Using Unregistered Finders
Moderator: Venture Capital Forum "Themed Workshop - Limited Partners' Strategies", 2.12.2008
Location: Montréal, QC
Samuel Shafner was a moderator at Venture Capital Forum, Themed Workshop - Limited Partners' Strategies.
Moderator: "In-Sourcing Capital: International VC's Seeking to Invest in New England", 10.13.2004
Samuel Shafner was a moderator at CapitalVenue's Fourth Annual International Venture Capital Collaborative "In-Sourcing Capital: International VC's Seeking to Invest in New England" on October 13, 2004.
Speaker: "Buying and Selling a Business in Massachusetts Mastering the Basics", 11.21.2003
Samuel Shafner was a speaker on "Buying and Selling a Business in Massachusetts Mastering the Basics" at the Sterling Education Services' Seminar on November 21, 2003.
Moderator: "Attracting European and Asian Investors to US Enterprises, and What They Offer Besides Money", 11.19.2003
Samuel Shafner was the moderator of a panel of European venture capitalists discussing "Attracting European and Asian Investors to US Enterprises, and What They Offer Besides Money" at a CapitalVenue event on November 19, 2003.
Speaker: "Effective Due Diligence in IP Licensing and Joint Venture Agreements", 6.27.2003
Samuel Shafner was a speaker on "Effective Due Diligence in IP Licensing and Joint Venture Agreements" at The India Seminar - Intellectual Capital for the 21st Century at the University of Maryland on June 27, 2003.
Co-moderator: "International Venture Capital Firms Investing in the Greater Washington, DC Area", 4.10.2003
Samuel Shafner was a co-moderator of a panel of European venture capitalists discussing "International Venture Capital Firms Investing in the Greater Washington, DC Area" held at the Army and Navy Club in Washington, DC on April 10, 2003.
Moderator: "An International Look at the After-Crunch", 4.1.2003
Samuel Shafner was the moderator of a panel of the European life science venture capitalists discussing "An International Look at the After-Crunch" at the Go North Conference in Montreal on April 1, 2003.
Panelist: "A Discussion on US/German SME Business", 1.20.2003
Samuel Shafner was a panelist at CapitalVenue's Roundtable Presentation "A Discussion on US/German SME Business" on January 20, 2003.
Co-Moderator: "The Second Annual US/ European Venture Collaboration", 10.23.2002
Samuel Shafner was the co-moderator of a panel of European venture capitalists discussing "The Second Annual US/ European Venture Collaboration" a CapitalVenue event on October 23, 2002.