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Our Team

Headshot photo of Steve Ryan
Headshot photo of Armando Castro
"With all of the challenges of starting a company, don’t limit your opportunities by incorporating a person with questionable integrity. You can’t afford to be written off by potential investors and business partners."
Headshot photo of Christina F. Pearson
“When picking your team, surround yourself not only with smart people, but people you enjoy brainstorming, debating and talking with.”
Headshot photo of Justin J. Bintrim
Headshot photo of Masao Kasatsugu
Headshot photo of Robert Shoemaker
Headshot photo of Nicole Islinger
Headshot photo of Matt Kirmayer
Headshot photo of Justin D. Hovey
"Raising money requires a completely different part of your brain than product development and customer acquisition – so assign this responsibility to one of the founders so that the other founders can focus on the business."
Headshot photo of Riaz A. Karamali
“It’s been said that launching a startup is like launching a rocket—if you’re even one degree off at launch, you’ll find yourself off course, and it will be increasingly difficult to get back on course and reach your destination.”
Headshot photo of Nadia Barazi
Headshot photo of Julie Park
Headshot photo of Richard L. Blaylock
Richard’s practice covers financing, M&A, licensing, collaboration and partnering arrangements and IP counseling for innovative, tech-focused startup and established companies.
Headshot photo of Steven L. Meltzer
“A trusted adviser and counselor. He understands the bigger picture of very complex transactions and gets to the most critical point of the negotiation.”
- Chambers USA
Headshot photo of Stephen M. Wurzburg
Steve advises small companies on financing and stock liquidity matters, selling and licensing products and services; protecting and monetizing IP assets; and director/shareholder relations issues.
Headshot photo of Christian A. Salaman
“Keep it simple. Just like your product or service, over-engineering your legal matters will only complicate your operations, fundraising or exit.”
Headshot photo of Steven A. Kaplan
"No agreement with your cofounders or VCs can substitute for a good relationship. Be sure to work with people you trust to stand by you in good times and bad. (But still get the best contract you can.)"
Headshot photo of Jenny Y. Liu
"Have a concise elevator pitch that leaves a memorable impression."
Headshot photo of Ian T. Akisoglu
Headshot photo of Paul Casas
Headshot photo of Mediha M. Ali
Headshot photo of Steven Farmer
As one serial entrepreneur once said: “If you’re passionate about something, you work hard and you surround yourself with the right people, then success should follow.”
Headshot photo of Mike Hird
"Although funding has its uses, creativity and enthusiasm are the true currencies for best-of-breed startup and emerging companies."
Headshot photo of Kit Ryan
Headshot photo of Stan Lewandowski
Stan counsels domestic and international companies on optimal structuring, financing, operations, development and other strategic transactional issues, primarily in the artificial intelligence, fintech, aerospace, education, travel, cybersecurity, gaming and renewable energy sectors.
Headshot photo of Theresa H. Lee
Headshot photo of Allison M. Leopold Tilley
Named to The Recorder’s “Women Leaders in Tech Law” six consecutive times, Allison advises technology companies on formation, venture capital financings, M&As, public offerings and securities transactions.
Headshot photo of Nick Burgess
Headshot photo of Ronald Fleming
The leader of our New York Emerging Companies team, Ron represents entrepreneurs and startup investors across industries including software, ecommerce, cloud computing, video games, cleantech and sports.
Headshot photo of Bianca K. Bowen
Headshot photo of Jason Stirling
"Recruiting and retaining great colleagues is a critical and never-ending process - it takes a lot of attention and personal empathy to get it right and it is amazing to see the results when it is done well."
Headshot photo of Megan L. Jones
Headshot photo of Sandro Serra
Intellectual Property
Headshot photo of Pranav Gangele
Headshot photo of Ann M. Kim

About Pillsbury

Our Emerging Growth & Venture Capital team is structured to grow with our clients. For newly established startups and emerging entities, our practice operates as a specialty boutique, assisting them with financing, structuring and their other legal needs while positioning them for future success. As our clients grow, so does our team, providing the right lawyers to meet our clients’ specific needs at every stage of their development. With decades of experience, we have assisted thousands of entrepreneurs, startups and investors across fast-paced, developing industries.

We have taken shoestring startups to market-leading positions, regularly assisting in client fundraising efforts through venture financings, technology transactions, and acquisitions as they grow. We help emerging company clients and investor clients analyze and navigate exit strategies, whether through an initial public offering or a strategic acquisition to accomplish their business objectives.

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