Stephen E. Cooper is chair of the firm’s Emerging Companies and Venture Capital team. He advises founders, high-growth companies and investors on corporate and transactional matters across the business lifecycle, from formation and capital raising through scaling and exit. He also leads the firm’s Food+Beverage Industry group, where he brings deep industry insight to consumer focused businesses.
Emerging Companies + Venture Capital
Steve advises companies and investors on capital formation transactions, including friends and family, angel, venture capital, and growth equity financings. He brings more than 25 years of experience to these transactions and uses that experience to help structure, negotiate, and document the terms of convertible promissory notes, SAFEs, subscription agreements, purchase agreements, stockholders’ agreements, limited liability company agreements, and related documents. He also represents venture capital and growth equity funds, family offices, and individuals in connection with their investments and their related portfolio company work.
Deeply embedded in the innovation ecosystem, Steve maintains an extensive network of founders, investors, and professional advisors which he leverages to help clients access capital, identify strategic partners, and pursue growth opportunities beyond the legal work itself.
Mergers + Acquisitions
In his mergers and acquisitions practice, Steve represents both buyers and sellers in structuring, negotiating, and executing acquisitions, dispositions, and joint ventures. He provides practical, business-oriented advice that helps clients navigate complex deal dynamics and drive transactions to closing.
General Corporate Counseling
Steve counsels public and private companies of all sizes on general corporate matters and often acts as outside general counsel for small and mid-sized businesses without in-house legal teams. His clients span a variety of industries, with a particular focus on the consumer products, food and beverage, and technology companies. General corporate matters for these clients include entity formation, corporate governance, and commercial and employment-related agreements. Steve also works closely with colleagues across the firm’s specialty practices to provide clients with coordinated and efficient advice on matters beyond his core practice areas.
Pro Bono + Community Involvement
Steve is active in pro bono work, advising nonprofit organizations on transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions. He received the Pro Bono Partnership’s Outstanding Volunteer Award and serves on the firm’s Pro Bono Committee.
Steve serves on the Board of Directors and is corporate Secretary of Food‘NBev Connect, an organization that supports the growth of food and beverage brands in the Northeast. He is also a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee and is corporate Secretary of The Stamford Partnership, a nonprofit focused on enhancing Stamford for its residents, workforce, businesses, and stakeholders.
Prior to joining Robinson+Cole, Steve was an associate at an Am Law 100 firm with a global reach, where his practice included both corporate and bankruptcy law. Before attending law school, Steve worked for the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives.
