Philadelphia, Pa. – July 24, 2005 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – Pepper Hamilton LLP announced that William J. Green, a corporate and securities lawyer who has worked in-house, in private practice and as an entrepreneur, has joined the firm as of counsel in the Philadelphia office. He is the son of former Philadelphia mayor William J. Green, III.
Mr. Green is experienced in managing legal and business issues related to venture financings, private equity, securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions, governance, compliance, intellectual property and litigation.
He spent the past four years running, providing legal counsel to and investing in venture-backed companies, ranging from software start-ups to cement pole manufacturers. In a difficult market for new ventures, he helped those companies raise more than $20 million of private or traditional venture capital.
Most recently, Mr. Green was general counsel of Composite Materials Technology, LLC, in Atlanta. Before that, he was general counsel and secretary of VistaScape Security Systems in Atlanta, where he also was interim CEO, president and a director.
“Bill takes the time to understand a company’s business model and his client’s competitive edge and how to protect it,” said Glenn McGonnigle, CEO and president of VistaScape. “VistaScape would not exist today without Bill’s past leadership and counsel.”
At VistaScape, Mr. Green brought in revenue from software sales to the U.S. Navy and Border Patrol, and raised $10 million in venture financing.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Green was corporate counsel with a Fortune 50 company, an associate with several law firms, and a market maker of options on equities and commodities on the floor of the London International Financial Futures Exchange, the European Options Exchange and the New York Mercantile Exchange.
“Bill’s entrepreneurial spirit and his understanding of the interplay and balance between business and legal risks make him a great business counselor,” said Robert E. Heideck, Pepper’s executive partner. “His experience demonstrates that he understands the nuances of running a business, and he will use that insight and experience to the benefit of our clients.”
“I am delighted to return home to Philadelphia and to join Pepper,” said Mr. Green. “The firm’s depth and breadth in so many practice areas offer me a terrific platform on which to build my practice, and I hope to make a significant contribution to the firm’s clients, offering them the perspective of someone who has been in their shoes.”
Mr. Green is a graduate of Auburn University (B.A. 1992) and the University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D. 1995).
His father, William J. Green, III, was mayor of Philadelphia from 1980 until 1984.
Pepper’s Corporate and Securities Practice Group advises clients in connection with all types of transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and partnering arrangements, restructurings and reorganizations, public and private securities offerings, venture capital and other financing transactions. The group also counsels clients on corporate governance issues, including compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related regulations.
Pepper Hamilton LLP (www.pepperlaw.com) is a multi-practice law firm with 400 lawyers in six states and the District of Columbia. The firm provides corporate, litigation and regulatory legal services to leading businesses, governmental entities, nonprofit organizations and individuals throughout the nation and the world. The firm was founded in 1890.
