News
- ACG's Middle Market GrowthJuly 23, 2020
Events
- WebinarNovember 12, 2020 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST
Publications
- Taking Care of BusinessJanuary 13, 2021
Cases & Deals
Blog
Lori S. Smith Partner
smithl@whiteandwilliams.com
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Lori Smith, the immediate past Chair of the firm's Business Department, is also a member of the firm's Healthcare and Food and Beverage Groups and previously served as Co-Chair of the Corporate and Securities Group. Lori's practice focuses on representation of foreign and domestic companies at all stages of development from formation and early and growth stage companies to multi-national public companies, as well as angel, venture capital and private equity investors. Her practice spans diverse industries including, technology, media, fashion and textiles, financial services, food and beverage, sports, specialty chemicals, insurance, healthcare and digital health. Lori has more than 30 years of experience handling corporate and commercial transactional work for her clients, as well as acting as outside general counsel managing all of their other ongoing legal needs. She has significant experience representing emerging technology companies and venture capital and angel investors in connection with early and growth stage financings and strategic transactions.
Lori represents public and private companies in the negotiation of mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, equity and debt financings, private placements, strategic alliances, partnerships and joint ventures. She also advises companies on various legal issues impacting their ongoing business operations, such as governance issues, shareholder and board of directors matters, operational agreements such as consulting, licensing, manufacturing, distribution and supply agreements, employment matters, protection of intellectual property rights and the transitional issues that arise in the transfer of management and control in closely held corporations.
Lori frequently speaks at events focused on technology, investment and deal making in New York. She has moderated or participated as a panelist in programs for the MIT Enterprise Forum and eLab NYC, and participated as a judge for business plan and pitch competitions. She has spoken on such diverse topics as what investors and buyers look for in evaluating a business plan or target, preparing a company for private equity or venture capital investment or sale, unleashing business growth through change management, and exploring mergers and acquisitions, IPOs and alternative exit or liquidity strategies.
Lori previously served as Co-Chair of the firm's Women's Initiative, which works to enhance the professional and personal development of the firm's women lawyers.
Prior to joining White and Williams, Lori was a partner at Sedgwick LLP. In addition she was previously a partner at Goodwin Procter LLP.
Representative Matters
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Represented Covetrus, Inc. (NASDAQ:CVET), a global leader in animal health technology and services, in connection with its strategic investment in Veterinary Study Groups, Inc., a leading provider of peer-to-peer learning experiences for veterinary practice leaders
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Represented True Global Ventures in connection with sale of its interest in SharesPost as part of the May 2020 SharesPost/Forge Global merger
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Represented a regional health insurer in its joint venture with two major hospital systems to form a Medicare Advantage insurance company
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Represented a public distributor of dental and healthcare products in the creation of a new entity with a national dental supplies provider in order to better serve state dental association members with an online-only option for purchasing dental supplies
- Represented the strategic investment arm of a health insurance company with respect to its participation in a $33 million Series B financing round by Pager, Inc.
- Represented a regional, nationally-affiliated health insurance company with respect to its participation, along with other health insurers, in a joint venture with a non-profit generic pharmaceutical company, helping to reduce the costs of certain generic drugs for participating plan members and other consumers
- Advised Petabyte Technology, a veterinary practice management software company, in securing $8M in Series A Financing
- Represented iNovia Capital in a multimillion dollar Series B investment in Boosted, Inc.
- Represented Stadium Goods, a streetwear and sneaker resale store and e-commerce site, in its multimillion dollar sale to Farfetch Limited, a publicly-traded global technology platform for the luxury fashion industry
- Represented Stadium Goods, a streetwear and sneaker resale store and e-commerce site, in its backing from LVMH Luxury Ventures
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Represented Horizon Healthcare Services in connection with a strategic investment in Pager, a company that provides a mobile based application for connecting patients with healthcare to address their urgent care needs
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Represented a data analytics company that provides proprietary consumer intelligence to major luxury brands in its sale to a global communications agency
- Represented the strategic investment arm of a life and disability insurer in connection with its investment in a healthcare IT company that leverages clinical diagnostic data and AI to develop advanced analytics solutions for the healthcare, pharmaceutical and life science markets
- Represented iNovia Capital in multimillion dollar Series A and seed investments of ROSS Intelligence
- Represented the strategic investment arm of a life and disability insurer in connection with an investment in a special purpose acquisition vehicle which acquired a controlling interest in a provider of trade credit risk management technology solutions
- Represented J9 Technologies, Inc., an IT product and services company, specializing in Business Service Management and Application Performance Management, in its sale to Axxiome Group
- Counseled the strategic investment arm of a life and disability insurer through a Series C preferred equity round for a co-working space company
- Assisted client in providing a secured, tranched bridge loan to a SaaS-based technology company delivering online and mobile interactive health management platforms
- Advised Vidible, a video syndication startup, in its sale to AOL, Inc.
- Represented Horizon Healthcare Services, Inc. in connection with its investment in COTA, Inc., an oncology management technology company
- Represented Horizon Healthcare Services, Inc. in connection with its participation in a joint venture to acquire Navinet, Inc., a healthcare communications network
- Represented multibillion dollar investment management firm in sale of insurance fixed income investment business
- Represented transportation logistics company in negotiation of two rounds of mezzanine financing to finance multiple acquisitions
- Represented IT services company primarily focused on the financial services industry in sale of majority interest to private equity firm
- Represented online platform for the alternative investment industry in connection with multiple rounds of equity financing
- Represented international angel investment fund in connection with investments in U.S.-based early stage ventures
- Represented lead investor in Series B Preferred Stock Investment for Masten Space Systems, Inc
- Represented food manufacturer and distributor in various transactions including acquisition and financing of manufacturing facilities, acquisition and licensing of significant brands, distribution rights for various products and sale of a major yogurt brand to private equity fund
- Represented lead investor in $8 million Series A investment for Lenddo
- Represented a provider of advanced rich media solutions in sale to a leading advertising solutions company
- Represented asset manager in sale to major financial institution
- Represented broker-dealers in sales to major financial institutions
- Represented major women’s clothing companies in various transactions including sale of subsidiary to Japanese company
- Represented alternative weekly newspaper publisher in merger and debt financing
- Represented international specialty chemicals company in various acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures
- Represented employment agency in connection with private equity investment in the company
- Represented both U.S. and international angel and venture capital investors in connection with investments in various emerging technology companies, including investments in software, hardware, internet, media, cleantech, medical device and biotech companies
- Represented investor groups in purchase and sale of interests in professional sports teams
- Represented toy and game manufacturer and distributor in sale of subsidiary and licensing deals
- Represented beverage distributors in matters relating to operations and sales of their businesses
- Represented investors in connection with restructuring of investment in a company with an energy efficiency solution for multi-tenant office buildings
Recognition & Involvement
Lori was previously a member of the MIT Enterprise Forum and served as a member of the Board of the New York Chapter. She was also previously a member of the MIT Enterprise Forum global board. In addition, she serves on the Public Policy Committee Advisory Council for the Angel Capital Association and is a member of the New York Advisory Board of Astia, a not-for-profit organization that promotes and accelerates women-led businesses.
Lori is also involved with Women United in Philanthropy, a giving circle of nearly 100 women in Bergen County, NJ, which makes available grants to local organizations to help women in need due to economic hardships, abuse and other issues.
In 2010, The New York Enterprise Report named Lori one of “The Best Accountants and Attorneys for Growing Businesses.” In 2008 – 2010, Chambers U.S. named her as one of New York’s leading lawyers in the technology industry.
News
- ACG's Middle Market GrowthJuly 23, 2020
- April 22, 2019
- September 25, 2018
- January 18, 2017
- December 27, 2016
- August 15, 2014
- October 8, 2012
- October 26, 2011
- October 3, 2011
- October 2011
Events
- WebinarNovember 12, 2020 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST
- Virtual ExperienceOctober 26-28, 2020
- ACG New YorkJuly 20, 2020
- White and Williams LLP (New York, NY)November 12, 2019
- White and Williams LLP (New York, NY)June 13, 2019
- White and Williams LLP (New York, NY)March 7, 2019
- White and Williams LLP (New York, NY)February 28, 2019
- BioLabs Incubator (New York, NY)January 22, 2019
- White and Williams LLP (New York, NY)December 4, 2018
- New York, NYOctober 16, 2018
- ELabNYC Bootcamp (New York, NY)January 19, 2017
- Citrin Cooperman (New York, NY)January 29, 2015
- Legal Issues for Startups: What a Founder Needs to KnowThe Greenhouse Accelerator (New York, NY)July 31, 2014
- Philadelphia, PAMay 1, 2014
- NYIT Auditorium on Broadway (New York, NY)April 22, 2014
- MIT Enterprise Forum of NYC and MIT Sloan Club of NY (New York, NY)December 5, 2013
- Deals and Divas (New York, NY)October 28, 2013
- Angel Capital Association WebinarAugust 6, 2013
- MIT Enterprise Forum of NYC (New York, NY)March 6, 2013
- MIT Enterprise Forum of NYC (New York, NY)October 18, 2012
- The New York Academy of Sciences, New York, NYJune 20, 2012
Publications
- Taking Care of BusinessJanuary 13, 2021
- Healthcare AlertDecember 22, 2020
- Delaware Supreme Court Focuses the Ground Rules for Stockholder Books and Records Inspection DemandsCorporate and Securities AlertDecember 17, 2020
- November 2020
- Taking Care of BusinessAugust 24, 2020
- Corporate and Securities AlertJune 22, 2020
- Taking Care of BusinessJune 9, 2020
- Corporate and Securities AlertJune 5, 2020
- Healthcare AlertMay 26, 2020
- Corporate and Securities AlertMay 22, 2020
- Corporate and Securities AlertMay 13, 2020
- Commercial Litigation AlertMay 1, 2020
- Healthcare AlertApril 22, 2020
- Taking Care of BusinessApril 17, 2020
- Commercial Litigation AlertApril 10, 2020
- Taking Care of BusinessApril 2, 2020
- Taking Care of BusinessMarch 30, 2020
- Corporate and Securities AlertMarch 26, 2020
- Taking Care of BusinessMarch 23, 2020
- Healthcare AlertMarch 18, 2020
- Taking Care of BusinessMarch 13, 2020
- Healthcare AlertMarch 2, 2020
- Healthcare AlertFebruary 14, 2020
- Taking Care of BusinessDecember 20, 2019
- Healthcare AlertDecember 18, 2019
- Financial Lines AlertDecember 18, 2019
- Healthcare AlertDecember 13, 2019
- Taking Care of BusinessNovember 21, 2019
- Corporate and Securities AlertNovember 21, 2019
- Healthcare AlertOctober 7, 2019
- Taking Care of BusinessSeptember 27, 2019
- Taking Care of BusinessAugust 29, 2019
- Law360August 12, 2019
- Taking Care of BusinessJuly 26, 2019
- Taking Care of BusinessJuly 24, 2019
- Taking Care of BusinessMay 22, 2019
- Taking Care of BusinessMay 20, 2019
- Taking Care of BusinessApril 19, 2019
- JD Supra Corporate Law ReportMarch 25, 2019
- Taking Care of BusinessMarch 13, 2019
- Taking Care of BusinessNovember 30, 2018
- Taking Care of BusinessNovember 12, 2018
- Taking Care of BusinessOctober 11, 2018
- Taking Care of BusinessSeptember 24, 2018
- Law360August 20, 2018
- Taking Care of BusinessAugust 7, 2018
- Taking Care of BusinessAugust 2, 2018
- Taking Care of BusinessJuly 26, 2018
- Taking Care of BusinessJuly 6, 2018
- Taking Care of BusinessJune 14, 2018
- Corporate and Securities AlertJune 8, 2018
- Corporate and Securities AlertMay 17, 2018
- Corporate and Securities AlertApril 25, 2018
- Taking Care of BusinessApril 17, 2018
- Taking Care of BusinessApril 5, 2018
- Taking Care of BusinessMarch 23, 2018
- Healthcare AlertMarch 15, 2018
- Taking Care of BusinessMarch 13, 2018
- Corporate and Securities AlertMarch 2, 2018
- Taking Care of BusinessFebruary 26, 2018
- Taking Care of BusinessJanuary 31, 2018
- Corporate and Securities AlertJanuary 30, 2018
- Healthcare AlertJanuary 30, 2018
- Taking Care of BusinessDecember 22, 2017
- Healthcare AlertOctober 19, 2017
- Corporate and Securities AlertSeptember 26, 2017
- Healthcare AlertSeptember 21, 2017
- Corporate and Securities AlertAugust 14, 2017
- Law360August 8, 2017
- Healthcare AlertJuly 28, 2017
- Corporate and Securities AlertJuly 28, 2017
- Healthcare AlertJuly 27, 2017
- Healthcare AlertJuly 17, 2017
- Corporate and Securities AlertJuly 17, 2017
- Healthcare AlertJune 29, 2017
- Corporate and Securities AlertJune 23, 2017
- Corporate and Securities AlertJune 14, 2017
- Cyber Law and Data Protection AlertJune 7, 2017
- Labor and Employment AlertMay 17, 2017
- Healthcare TalksMay 10, 2017
- Healthcare TalksApril 25, 2017
- Corporate and Securities AlertApril 7, 2017
- Corporate and Securities AlertMarch 28, 2017
- Corporate and Securities AlertJanuary 27, 2017
- Corporate and Securities AlertDecember 20, 2016
- Corporate and Securities AlertNovember 29, 2016
- Corporate and Securities AlertAugust 23, 2016
- Recent Amendments to the DGCL Affect Appraisal Rights, Mergers and the Chancery Court's JurisdictionCorporate and Securities AlertJune 27, 2016
- Corporate and Securities AlertMay 19, 2016
- Corporate and Securities AlertMay 2, 2016
- Corporate and Securities AlertMarch 11, 2016
- Corporate and Securities AlertFebruary 29, 2016
- Corporate and Securities AlertFebruary 19, 2016
- Corporate and Securities AlertFebruary 9, 2016
- Corporate and Securities AlertNovember 19, 2015
- Corporate and Securities AlertNovember 13, 2015
- Corporate and Securities AlertNovember 6, 2015
- Corporate and Securities AlertJanuary 21, 2015
- Corporate and Securities AlertJanuary 13, 2015
- December 9, 2014
- Corporate and Securities AlertNovember 24, 2014
- Corporate and Securities AlertOctober 2, 2014
- Corporate and Securities AlertSeptember 12, 2014
- Corporate and Securities AlertSeptember 10, 2014
- Corporate and Securities AlertAugust 12, 2014
- Corporate and Securities Law AlertJuly 14, 2014
- Law360 Dealmaker SeriesJuly 11, 2014
- Corporate and Securities AlertJune 2, 2014
- Corporate and Securities AlertMay 27, 2014
- Corporate and Securities AlertMay 13, 2014
- Securities AlertDecember 3, 2013
- Corporate Law and Directors & Officers AlertOctober 18, 2013
- Securities AlertSeptember 23, 2013
- Securities AlertSeptember 11, 2013
- Securities AlertJuly 22, 2013
- Securities AlertJuly 15, 2013
- imPACT TimesJune 2012
- Securities AlertFebruary 20, 2012
- February 6, 2012
- White and Williams Securities AlertDecember 29, 2011
- Practical Issues in Representing the Portfolio Company in the Current Economic and Regulatory EnvironmentInside the Minds: Representing Private Equity and Venture Capital Backed Portfolio Companies (Aspatore)2010
Cases & Deals
- October 14, 2020
- March 9, 2020
- December 11, 2019
- April 1, 2019
- December 21, 2018
- December 13, 2018
- February 8, 2018
- February 1, 2018
- January 19, 2018
- October 20, 2017
- October 11, 2017
- January 12, 2017
- December 27, 2016
- December 15, 2016
- October 23, 2015
- January 21, 2015
- December 1, 2014
- September 23, 2014
- February 11, 2014
- May 10, 2013
- July 25, 2012
- May 15, 2012
- January 11, 2012
Practice areas
Bar and Court Admissions
New York
New Jersey
Education
Duke University School of Law, JD, with high honors, 1984
University of Rochester, BA, magna cum laude, 1981
Memberships
Angel Capital Association; Public Policy Committee Advisory Council
Astia; New York Advisory Board
Duke Global Entrepreneurship Network
ELabNYC Mentor
MIT Enterprise Forum; Board Member, New York Chapter (2002-2017); Member, Global Board