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Desktop Image: Phillips, Michael C.
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Michael C. Phillips

He/Him

Partner

T 425.646.6114 Bellevue
T 503.778.5214 Portland
Saying no is easy. I help find a pathway forward through the risks.
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Michael helps clients succeed and achieve their business and personal goals and dreams. He invests the time and energy to understand their businesses and objectives, and he works with them to find a path forward. In doing so, Michael aims to be a value-add to their business rather than a cost-center. As outside counsel to public and private companies, from startups and emerging to middle-market, he works with clients to fashion a strategy that allows the client to succeed with all attendant risks understood.

Michael's clients are private companies that succeed in part through his advice and service in forming the entity, acquiring technology through acquisitions and licenses, raising funds from investors, advising them on governance and general business issues, and leading them through the mergers-and-acquisitions process. Michael has represented investors in emerging biotech and other technology companies.

Practice Highlights

Mergers and acquisitions

Advising principals and directors on strategies, and negotiating agreements relating to the purchase and acquisition of companies.

Equity financing

Providing counsel to issuers and investors, including venture-capital firms, in the private placement of securities.

Formation, technology, licensing, and general counsel work

Advising founders and principals on entity structuring, including corporations, limited liability companies, and joint ventures, acquiring intellectual property through licensing agreements and related governance and operational issues.

Issuer Financings

2017 issuer financings

  • CloudEngage, Inc. – Series A-1 financing
  • Garden Bar, LLC – convertible note financing
  • IOTAS, Inc. – Series A financing
  • Outdoor Project, Inc. – Series A financing
  • ObstetRx, Inc. – convertible note financing
  • PetCure Oncology. LLC – convertible note financings
  • SkinCure Oncology, LLC – convertible note financings
  • RevMedx, Inc. – preferred stock financing
  • Rigado, Inc. – Series Seed financing

2016 issuer financings

  • Handful, Inc. – convertible note financing
  • Portland Product Werks, LLC – preferred units financing
  • Urology Diagnostics, Inc. – convertible note financing
  • Outdoor Project, LLC – preferred units financing
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Investor Financings

Rifton Capital LLC – debt and equity financings

Hola Nola LLC and Mission Workshop Inc. (2016, 2017)

Kaiser Permanente Ventures, LLC/The Permanente Federation, LLC

Equity and debt investments in portfolio companies. (Ongoing)
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Mergers & Acquisitions

Ajinomoto North America Inc.

Stock acquisition of Cambrooke Therapeutics Inc. (2017)

Alpha-Tec Systems Inc.

Sale to Alphatech Holdings Inc., a private equity based company. (2017)

PBS Engineering & Environmental

Acquisition of assets of HDJ Design Group PLLC. (2016)

SkinCure Oncology, LLC

Acquisition of Assets of Tru-Skin Dermatology. (2016)

Ilwaco Holdings, LLC

Acquisition of assets of Tillamook Bay Tuna Club LLC. (2016)
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Joint Ventures

Credo Investments, LLC

Strategic investments in Homeschool Apparel Inc. and Green Zebra Inc. (2016)

Portland Product Werks, LLC

Trademark license and marketing agreements related to the design, manufacture, distribution, and sale of Woolrich-branded footwear (2012)
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Admitted to Practice

  • Oregon, 1982
  • Washington, 2005

Education

  • J.D., Lewis & Clark Law School, 1982
  • B.A., Economics, Political Science, University of Michigan, 1978, cum laude

Memberships & Affiliations

    • Director, Soul River Inc., 2017-present
    • Board Member, Portland Business Alliance, 2013-present
    • General Counsel, 1% for the Planet, 2013-present
    • Director, Social Venture Partners, 2013-2016
    • General Counsel, The Conservation Alliance, 2011-present
    • Member, Outdoor Industry Association, 2011-present
    • General Counsel, Oregon Bioscience Association, 2010-present
    • Mergers & Acquisitions Committee; Securities Regulation Committee – American Bar Association, 2008-present
    • General Counsel, 1995-present; Director, 2008-2014 – Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Oregon & Southwest Washington Affiliate
    • Director, 2003-2011; Chairman of the Board, 2008-2009 – Software Association of Oregon
    • Director and Past President, Portland'5 Centers for the Arts Foundation, 2005-2016

Professional Recognition

    • Named one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" by Chambers USA in Corporate/M&A (Oregon), 2008-2024
    • Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in Securities Law by Best Lawyers, 2010-present; in Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2016-present
    • Selected to "Oregon Super Lawyers," Thomson Reuters, 2006-2008, 2010-2018
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Publications
06.10.24
News
New Chambers Rankings Affirm Davis Wright Tremaine's National Leadership in Key Industry Sectors Read More
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08.17.23
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2024 Edition of Best Lawyers Recognizes More Than 175 Davis Wright Tremaine Attorneys for Excellence Read More
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06.05.23
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Chambers USA Recognizes Davis Wright Tremaine for Leadership Across Key Industry Sectors and Honors the Firm for Excellence in 51 Practices Read More
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06.07.22
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Chambers USA Recognizes Davis Wright Tremaine for Excellence in Key Practice Areas and Industry-Leading Success With DEI Read More
Publications
05.21.21
News
Davis Wright Tremaine Recognized by Chambers USA for Industry-Leading Excellence in Key Practice Areas Read More
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05.29.19
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05.07.18
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11.21.17
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Davis Wright Tremaine Assists Ajinomoto North America With Ongoing Expansion Read More
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08.03.17
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Chambers USA Recognizes More Than 100 Davis Wright Tremaine Lawyers as Leaders in Their Fields Read More
Publications
03.03.17
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Quoted in "Attorney Explains 'Major Issues' With Oregon Shell Company Legislation," Portland Business Journal Read More External Link
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