Overview:
Join us for "Let's Talk Legal - How to... Navigate the Legal Landscape: A workshop series for early stage ventures." This series of 3 independent workshops is designed to help entrepreneurs demystify the legal landscape and fill in the blanks. The series at JLABS @ Toronto is organized by the Johnson & Johnson law department, in partnership with Blakes, one of Canada's leading law firms.

This is the last workshop in the series of 3 - you did not need to attend the other workshops in order to register.

Workshop 1 | Preparing for your Future as an Entrepreneur: Legal Basics for Start-ups | Sept 29 read more»
Workshop 2 | Protecting your Intellectual Property | Oct 25
Workshop 3 | Venture Financing: What to Expect and Strategies for Success | Nov 29 read more»

The "How to..." workshop series is dedicated to giving you the keys to a successful business, from creation to exit. As with all our events, the "Let's Talk Legal - How to..." workshop is interactive and informal so bring your questions with you!


Let's Talk Legal Workshop 3 | Venture Financing: What to Expect and Strategies for Success

You’re past the initial stages in establishing your venture and are ready to take it to the next level - raising capital. What should you expect during the course of a pivotal early stage company financing round and what are the strategies for ensuring your objectives are met and your interests are protected?

This event is the third in a series of presentations on key legal considerations and issues facing entrepreneurs. It is brought to you by Johnson & Johnson’s law department working with one of Canada’s leading law firms, Blakes. The lawyers presenting these workshops have extensive experience working with life sciences companies ranging from very early-stage ventures through to multi-national public companies.

This practical session will focus on how to approach a major financing round, key topics include:

• Common types of deal structures
• Strategies for protecting your interest
• Strategic investors v. venture capital
• Deal terms that are commonly subject to heavy negotiation
  

Agenda:
11:00 AM | Registration Opens, Networking
11:30 AM | Presentation
12:30 PM | Q&A
12:45 PM | Lunch and Networking
1:30 PM | Program Close


Speakers
Maurizio Romano | Director, Law, Janssen, Inc. read bio»
Christopher Jones | Partner, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP read bio»
Justin Drake | Senior Associate , Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP read bio»


Fees:
$40 | General Public
$30 | Student/Academic
$55 | At the door
Please note: fees do not go to the presenting lawyers, they cover only catering and event costs


Location:
JLABS @ Toronto
661 University Ave, Suite 1300
Toronto, Ontario


Speakers' Biographies:

Maurizio Romano | Director, Law, Janssen Inc.
Maurizio Romano is currently the Director of Law for Janssen Inc., the Canadian pharmaceutical business of Johnson & Johnson. His primary responsibilities include supporting all matters for the immunology, oncology, and BioAdvance patient support businesses. He also provides global legal support to Johnson & Johnson Innovation, JLABS. Prior to joining Johnson & Johnson in 2013, Maurizio practiced for nine years as an M&A and Competition lawyer at Blake, Cassels & Graydon, LLP. Maurizio obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto; and a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts from Queen's University.
Connect with Maurizio:  

Christopher Jones | Partner, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Christopher's practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions and private equity, venture and corporate finance transactions. He regularly advises Canadian, U.S. and other international clients on a wide variety of public and private acquisition and business combination transactions, public offerings and private placements of equity and debt securities. His clientele include private equity, venture capital and pension funds and businesses that range from early-stage ventures to publicly-traded, multi-national corporations operating in a variety of industries, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, technology, manufacturing, mining and resources.
Christopher currently serves as a member of the Ontario Bar Association Securities Law Subcommittee and also serves on the World Securities Law Report advisory board.
Prior to joining Blakes, Christopher spent five years practicing law in the United States.
Connect with Christopher:  

Justin Drake | Senior Associate , Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Justin is a senior associate at Blakes and practices corporate and commercial law. He advises clients in connection with a variety of transactions, including acquisitions and divestitures, venture capital, strategic and private equity financings and joint ventures. He is experienced in advising both emerging companies and investors operating within the life sciences and technology sectors.
Connect with Justin: