Matthew Sant provides broad legal and business counsel to some of the most innovative and exciting companies in the global economy. Mr. Sant is Co-Chair of the firm's Emerging Technologies practice group, and is a member of the firm's Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Equity, Bankruptcy and Intellectual Property practice groups.

Mr. Sant's corporate securities practice includes debt and equity financing, mergers and acquisitions, and public and private corporate securities matters. He has advised issuers, funds and investors in connection with well over $1 billion in private debt and equity investments, and has represented both acquirers and targets in connection with numerous corporate transactions covering an impressive array of industries, including aerospace, real estate, semiconductor, software, biotech and finance.

In connection with his work in the firm's bankruptcy practice group, Mr. Sant advises purchasers and sellers of distressed assets, including transactions arising out of reorganizations and bankruptcy proceedings. He has represented both buyers and sellers in distressed company transactions, including DIP financings and sale transactions pursuant to Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code.

Mr. Sant's intellectual property practice focuses on the structure and negotiation of complex licensing, development and commercial transactions involving technology assets. He advises numerous clients in connection with the acquisition of strategic patent portfolios and other intellectual property assets, and represents start-up, spin-out and development stage companies in connection with company formation and capital raises.

Sample Transactions

• Mr. Sant represented an aerospace client in multiple rounds of debt and equity financing with an aggregate value in excess of $1 billion.
• He represented a national transportation company in the distressed sale of substantially all of its assets and operations to a competitor.
• As co-chair of the firm's Emerging Technologies practice, Mr. Sant represents several companies and funds exploring emerging "green" technologies, including the developer of hybrid and electric vehicles, the developer of proprietary "waste to energy" technologies, the developer of an ozone-friendly fire suppression system and a fund that has invested in solar and other renewable energy technologies.
• Mr. Sant represented a publicly traded semiconductor manufacturer in multiple strategic mergers and acquisitions.
• He represented a NYSE-listed national homebuilder in connection with corporate securities matters, including the acquisition of a distressed competitor and a going private transaction.
• Mr. Sant represented an investor group of private equity funds in connection with a strategic investment in an international telecommunications provider.
• He represents several universities, research institutions and technology firms in connection with patent acquisition, licensing and commercialization strategies.
• Mr. Sant has represented lessors and financing companies in connection with the disposition of non-performing portfolios.
• Helping to pioneer the concept of the "connected community" in the real estate industry, Mr. Sant structured innovative partnerships between real estate developers and telecommunications providers.
• Mr. Sant negotiated the development and financing agreements for the venture that resulted in the successful flight of the first privately funded manned spacecraft, negotiated international technology transfer and supply contracts on behalf of an aerospace company and settled a complex licensing dispute on behalf of a client in the satellite industry.
• Mr. Sant represented a NYSE-listed mortgage lender in a wide range of general corporate and information technology matters.
• He represented a California-based real estate development company in connection with a successful debt restructuring and consent solicitation of its bondholders.
• Mr. Sant represented a prominent private equity fund in connection with multiple equity investments in technology companies.
• Mr. Sant structured content development and distribution agreements for several video game titles and represents an international developer of mobile operating systems.
• He served as the "interim" general counsel for a business software developer with operations in the United States, Europe and Russia.
• In the entertainment industry, Mr. Sant represented a major film studio in connection with its proprietary animation technology, served as production counsel for several prime time television programs and structured agreements for the acquisition and distribution of motion pictures.

Speaking and Publications

Often quoted in the business and legal press, Mr. Sant has written and spoken on a number of topics related to his practice areas. In March 2008, Mr. Sant delivered a speech on legal issues affecting "green" technology at the Global Greentech Online Investor Conference. He co-authored a chapter of Technology Law Settlements and Negotiations, entitled "The Technology Lawyer as Partner and Advisor." In April 2006, Mr. Sant delivered a web seminar to an international audience entitled "Intellectual Property Boot Camp: What every business should know about intellectual property." Among his other publications and presentations are: "A False Sense of Security: Addressing the Growing Problem of Computer Crimes" presented at the 2005 International IT Law Conference at Southwestern Law School; "Convergence and the Changing Telecommunications Landscape," published in The Zone Magazine, March 2000; and "Security and Privacy in the Age of Electronic Mail" co-authored with Robert Steinberg, Esq., and presented at a guest lecture series at Harvard Law School, Columbia University Law School, and Boalt Hall (Berkeley) School of Law in the fall of 1998. Mr. Sant was twice named to the Southern California "Rising Stars" list by Los Angeles Magazine and his work in the aerospace industry was profiled in an article entitled "Flight Planner," published in the November 2005 issue of IP Law and Business.

Professional Activities

• Mr. Sant is a member of the American Bar Association, International Bar Association, International Technology Law Association, American Law and Economics Association and California Space Authority. Mr. Sant is active in the American Bar Association's subcommittee on International Technology Transfer Licensing and has participated in working groups that have commented on patent reform in China and the European Union. He currently serves on the ABA Advisory Panel.
• In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Sant has a strong interest in foreign affairs and international relations. He is a trustee and a former Chairman of the World Affairs Council of Orange County. Mr. Sant is a member of the Pacific Council on International Policy. In connection with the Pacific Council, Mr. Sant serves on the steering committee of the National Security Task Force and has recently been asked to lead a project studying the national security implications of global financial instability. Mr. Sant was appointed a Fellow of the Southwest Assembly, in connection with the Next Generation Project of the American Assembly, and participated in the 2008 Atlantik-Brücke Young Leaders Conference in Hamburg, Germany.

Bar & Court Admissions

• 1998, California