The Initial Public Offering Handbook: a Guide for Entrepreneurs, Executives, Directors and Private Investors
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The Initial Public Offering Handbook: A Guide for Entrepreneurs, Executives, Directors and Private Investors Sonny Allison Chris Hall David McShea with Special Contributing Author Katherine VanYe and Contributing Authors from Perkins Coie LLP Merrill Corporation Copyright © 2008 by Perkins Coie LLP All rights reserved. No part of this handbook may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission. DISCLAIMERS PLEASE READ THESE DISCLAIMERS: This handbook is intended to provide an infor- mational overview to nonlawyers and is not intended to provide legal advice as to any particular situation. The laws and regulations applicable to initial public offerings and public companies are complex and subject to frequent change. Experienced corporate and securities counsel should be consulted regarding the information covered in this handbook. The views expressed in this handbook are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views of Perkins Coie LLP or Merrill Corporation. IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION: This communication is not intended or written by Perkins Coie LLP to be used, and cannot be used by the taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or to support the promotion or marketing of any entity, investment plan or arrangement. Merrill Corporation Publications Department One Merrill Circle St. Paul, Minnesota 55108 (651) 698-1865 ISBN 1-877927-59-7 Merrill Corporation products are designed to provide accurate and current informa- tion with regard to the subject matter covered. They are intended to help attorneys and other professionals maintain their professional competence. Products are distributed with the understanding that neither the Corporation, any affiliate company, nor the editors are engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the personalized service of a competent professional should be sought. Persons using these products when dealing with specific legal matters should also research original sources of authority. PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Dedication We dedicate this to our families, Virginia, Nicholas and Luke Allison; Christine, Nicole and Denali Hall; Sophia, Isabella and John McShea; and Mark and Chris VanYe, who have given us tremendous support, inspiration and encouragement throughout the creation of this handbook and our careers. Sonny Allison Chris Hall David McShea Katherine VanYe About the Firm Perkins Coie LLP is legal counsel to great companies. Attorneys in our Corporate Finance group represent market leaders in a wide range of industries, including wireless technology, hardware, software, telecommunications, Internet, aerospace, biotechnology, e-commerce and manufacturing. We advise clients in a wide range of public and private debt and equity financings. We are a recognized leader in venture capital transactions, IPOs and follow-on public offerings and have substantial experience in virtually all major as- pects of public and private finance, including Rule 144A transactions and other public and private placements of debt and preferred and convertible securities. For more information about Perkins Coie LLP, please visit the firm’s website at www.perkinscoie.com. Lead Authors Sonny Allison is a Partner in the Denver office of Perkins Coie LLP. Mr. Allison focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and securities, private equity and venture capital. Mr. Allison regularly counsels public and private companies and pri- vate equity funds in corporate transactions, corporate governance matters and securities law compliance matters. He has extensive experience with public and private mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations, tender offers and going private transactions, asset acquisitions and dispositions, initial public offerings, follow-on offer- ings, PIPE and 144A transactions, private placements and venture capital financings. He is a frequent speaker on corporate and securities law matters. Mr. Allison received his A.B. in Economics and Government with high honors from Dartmouth College and his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. Mr. Allison is admitted to practice in New York and Colorado. Chris Hall is a Partner in the Portland, Oregon office of Perkins Coie LLP. Mr. Hall focuses his practice on serving clients in the areas of corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and private equity. He manages complex transactions, including public offerings, for mid- market companies, and is adept at handling transactions having strategic importance to a company’s future or particularly difficult issues. In addition to public offerings, Mr. Hall has extensive experience with public and private acquisitions and dispositions, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations and reorganizations, as well as a wide range of other capital markets transactions and private placements. Mr. Hall received his B.A. in Finance with honors from Michigan State University, his M.B.A. in Finance from Wayne State University and his J.D. magna cum laude from Boston University School of Law. He is admitted to practice in New York and Oregon. David F. McShea is a Partner in the Seattle office of Perkins Coie LLP. Mr. McShea focuses his practice on the representation of start-up and high growth technology companies, pub- lic companies, venture capital firms and private investment firms. In more than 15 years of practice, Mr. McShea has handled numerous significant transactions, including initial public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, public equity and debt offerings, and venture capital and angel financings. In addition to working with deal-intensive growth compa- nies, Mr. McShea represents leading venture capital firms and private investment firms on portfolio investments. He is a frequent speaker on start-up, venture financing, angel financing, initial public offerings and corporate governance topics. Mr. McShea received his B.A. in English Literature magna cum laude from Princeton University and his J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School. Mr. McShea is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Washington State. iv About the Firm v Special Contributing Author Katherine VanYe is a contract attorney at Perkins Coie LLP and a former business associate with the firm. Ms. VanYe focused her practice on employee benefits and executive compensation matters while at Perkins Coie. She currently resides in Nebraska and focuses her practice on corporate legal research and writing. Ms. VanYe received both her B.A. in International Relations and M.A. in Russian and East European Studies from Stanford University and her J.D. with Honors, Order of the Coif, from the University of Washington School of Law. Ms. VanYe is admitted to practice in Washington State. Contributing Authors We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the following Perkins Coie col- leagues: Rich Baum, litigation partner, Portland Danielle Benderly, business partner, Portland Ron Berenstain, litigation partner, Seattle Deena Bothello, business associate, Portland David Clarke, business partner, Seattle Eric DeJong, business partner, Seattle Harold DeGraff, business partner, Menlo Park Timothy Fete, Jr., business associate, Denver Ryan Glant, business associate, Seattle Edwardeen Hilts, business associate, Portland David Katz, business partner, Los Angeles Stewart Landefeld, business partner, Seattle David Matheson, business partner, Portland Mark Metcalf, business partner, Seattle Andrew Moore, business partner, Seattle John Thomas, business partner, Portland Roy Tucker, business partner, Portland Lior Zorea, business partner, Menlo Park We would like to thank J. D. Delafield, Chief Executive Officer of Delafield Ham- brecht, Inc., Chris Brisbee, Executive Vice President of USI Northwest, and Stephen Sum- merville, Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, for their review of, and comment on, certain portions of this Handbook. We wish to specifically acknowledge IPO Vital Signs, a product of CCH, a Wolters Kluwer Company, for providing valuable statistics included in this Handbook. The authors welcome your comments and suggestions via email: Sonny Allison: [email protected] Chris Hall: [email protected] David McShea: [email protected] Perkins Coie LLP www.perkinscoie.com Anchorage Denver San Francisco 1029 W. 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