Christopher L. Russell

Chris Russell actively aids emerging companies in achieving their financial and corporate objectives. Many of these businesses are focused on renewable energy, life science, software, hardware, agricultural technologies, and clean technologies. Still, Chris has experience working with an array of companies in various industries on corporate and financial matters. Chris is also co-leader of the firm’s Technology Industry Group. 

With broad transactional and corporate governance experience, Chris guides entrepreneurs and business leaders on corporate issues related to all aspects of their business and their fiduciary duties in significant transactions. Chris brings substantial experience to key transactions affecting a company's growth, including debt and equity financings, joint ventures, corporate restructurings, licensing transactions, and mergers and acquisitions. Clients rely upon Chris’ insights on both legal and business matters in such transactions.

Chris also has significant experience in private equity fund formation and has advised general partners and institutional investors in the formation of venture capital, real estate, buyout, and other private equity funds.

Education

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, J.D., 1988

Oklahoma Baptist University, B.A., 1983

Admissions

California

Languages

• Representation of agricultural company in its $35 million acquisition of assets.
• Representation of an investor in mezzanine financing.
• Representation of an investor in a $2 million equity investment.
• Representation of EV charging company in its Series F financing.
• Representation of healthcare company in its $175 million acquisition of a healthcare communications network.
• Representation of life science company in its $75 million acquisition of biopharmaceutical company developing targeted immunotherapies and vaccine products.
• Representation of healthcare company in its $50 million acquisition of a software company that provides a platform to securely bring together patient information to support clinical integration and coordinated care for healthcare providers.
• Advised a publicly traded biopesticide manufacturers on corporate governance, SEC reporting obligations, and debt and equity financings.
• Advised an internationally recognized winery with its corporate restructuring.
• Representation of solar energy company in its sale of solar projects.
• Representation of agricultural technology company with its Series A Financing.
• Representation of data storage company with its Series A Financing.

Insights & Presentations

• “Common Startup Mistakes and IP Basics,” Clean Tech Open, Fremont, CA, June 2019
• “Investing in Opportunity Zones,” North State BIA Forward Planning Seminar, Sacramento, CA, March 2019
• “Regulation Crowdfunding,” Is Crowdfunding Right for Your Tech Startup? CleanStart Inc, West Sacramento, CA, June 2017
• “Considerations for Joint Ventures in Real Estate Development,” North State BIA Forward Planning Seminar, Sacramento, CA, February 2017

• Included in The Best Lawyers in America^® (Corporate Law), 2019–present
• Listed among Northern California Super Lawyers^® (Securities & Corporate Finance, Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions), 2018–2023
• Listed in Sacramento Magazine’s Top Lawyers, 2017–2023

Professional

• UC Davis Venture Catalyst, LegalNet Advisory Team, Member, 2017–present
• Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance (SARTA), former Member and Board of Directors
• MedStart Advisory Committee, former Member
• AgStart Advisory Committee, former Member
• State Bar of California, Partnership and LLC Committee, Business Law Section, former Member
• UC Davis Entrepreneurship Academy, Mentor
• California Life Science Institute, Mentor

Civic

• Sacramento Region Innovation Awards Program, Co-chair, 2016–present
• Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Certified Champion, 2016–present
• Capital Public Radio, former Member and Board of Directors
• Wind Youth Services, former Chair and Board of Directors
• American Leadership Forum—Mountain Valley Chapter, Fellow, 2019