Joint ventures (JVs) and strategic alliances occur in countless forms and transaction sizes. During periods when there is uncertainty in the capital markets, JVs and similar transactions are often used as alternatives to conventional acquisition deals.
Our business lawyers have completed JVs and strategic alliances across a broad range of industries, including telecom, food, healthcare, government services, water, professional services, and technology. We have provided advice and counseling on JVs ranging from newly-created entities that are the recipients of $500 million cash and asset contributions from public company partners, to teaming arrangements involving two closely-held service businesses pursuing a major contract.
Because JVs and strategic alliances are typically intended to create a working relationship between the parties for some period of time (in contrast to a one-time transaction), we ensure that the structuring of the business relationship allows the parties to manage the venture jointly and resolve deadlocks and other disputes, while accomplishing the intended operational or financial goals. Before our clients enter into JVs or strategic partnerships, we provide the crucial advice regarding the arrangements for separating the parties and their assets when the venture ends. By planning for an exit from the start, we can help our clients mitigate the risk of litigation at the end of the business relationship.
In addition, our business lawyers understand that JVs are often undertaken to accomplish specific business objectives and we work diligently to gain a clear understanding of our clients’ goals and concerns. We often team up with attorneys in our intellectual property practice areas to address specific arrangements related to licensing arrangements, transfers of proprietary assets, and other intellectual property concerns.
