Fenwick's Stephen Graham, co-chair of its life sciences practice and managing partner of the firm’s Seattle office, was profiled by thePugetSound Business Journal.
“Graham has had a hand in every major biotech merger and acquisition deal in the Puget Sound region over nearly 40 years representing companies in the industry,” the Journal reported.
When asked how he got into law, Graham said, “This may sound kind of funny, but I got into law because I wanted to help people... Focusing on the law put me in a position to help and it was an opportunity to be in a profession that was respected in the community.”
The key to a great deal? Graham emphasized “really understanding your company, your environment and your prospects and be realistic about it. And when the opportunity presents itself, know how to assess those opportunities.”
Graham’s practice concentrates in private and public mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, private placements, and corporate governance matters, including advising boards of directors and audit, compensation and nominating/corporate governance committees, preparation and filing of periodic SEC reports, and other securities law compliance. His diverse practice is focused on representing emerging and established high growth companies, essentially serving as an extension of the senior management teams and boards of directors. Graham also co-chaired the SEC’s Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies for an unprecedented six years, his last term expiring last September.
Graham has been recognized by Chambers USA as one of the top corporate and M&A lawyers in Washington. The Washington Post also named him "one of the 19 most influential people in D.C. who can affect your small business" for his role with the SEC.
The full profile is available through the PugetSound Business Journal (subscription required). Graham also discussed his career, diversity and inequality with the Timmerman Report on The Long Run Podcast. He talked about some of the challenges he faced, advice for young people of color and how to create a more inclusive biotech industry.