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Samuel M. Shafner

Samuel M. Shafner

Partner

Office Phone: 617.345.3222
Location: Boston, MA
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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:

Additional Information:

Education:

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:

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:

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