Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt, L.L.C.,  has extensive experience in the representation of emerging companies.  We have a tradition of serving emerging companies throughout Alabama and other technology centers across the United States.  Over the past decade, we have been involved in the formation of many start-up or merged companies in information technology, healthcare, retail and other fields and have participated in hundreds of financings and commercial transactions.  This knowledge and experience is reflected in the focused assistance we provide our clients in the formation, financing, and growth of new companies. 

Our emerging companies attorneys combine corporate, securities, and intellectual property legal knowledge with a practical understanding of emerging companies' business needs.  We also have working relationships with venture capitalists and other potential investors and can make introductions where appropriate.  We provide crucial guidance in developing financing and growth strategies and in structuring practices and policies involving the development and acquisition of intellectual property and its commercial exploitation.

Our clients include information technology companies such as software developers, communications infrastructure providers as well as companies engaged in the insurance, financial, and service sectors.  In addition, the growth of our healthcare practice has added a variety of emerging healthcare companies to this list, including healthcare management companies.

Clients are served by a team-oriented approach, and firm attorneys and staff frequently complement a client’s management team by serving as a “virtual” general counsel, acting as senior members of the management team, and participating in board level discussions.  This team approach gives our clients the flexibility to call on a number of attorneys who are familiar with the client’s products, technology, and business model, and who understand the strategic and tactical decisions made by management and the board of directors.

  • Company Formation and Incorporation
  • Founders’ Agreements
  • Employee Equity Incentives and Benefits
  • Private Placements and “Angel” Financings
  • Venture Capital Financings
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Employment Law Compliance
  • Intellectual Property Protection Counseling and Programs
  • Confidentiality and Consulting Agreements
  • Joint Venture and Strategic Partner Relationships
  • Commercial Distribution of Products, Services, and Technology

We represent a variety of technology-based and growth companies in all aspects of their formation and development.  For example:

  • We are frequently called upon to review client business plans and to meet with founding teams to assist them in identifying their key strengths and weaknesses before approaching financial sources and other potential founders.
  • We routinely assist clients in structuring the transfer of intellectual property from founders, universities, and other third parties in light of clients’ business models, organizational needs, and strategic direction.
  • We are experienced in the structuring, negotiation, and documentation of significant strategic alliances, joint ventures, and other agreements with potential partners, vendors and customers, as well as traditional mergers and acquisitions.
  • We frequently attend board meetings and offer strategic advice and counseling, as well as assistance in forming and maintaining an effective board of directors during a company’s initial phases.
  • We are experienced in advising clients on financing strategies and in managing and implementing virtually any type of financing transaction, from venture capital and private placements, to initial and follow-on public offerings.
The attorneys who serve our emerging company clients are part of our general corporate, transactional and other practice groups.  They are experienced in their respective areas of the law as applied to representing emerging companies.


William B. Stewart 
Tel: (205) 870-0555 
Fax: (205) 871-7534 
E-mail: ws@wallacejordan.com


R. Dale Wallace, Jr.
J. Birch Bowdre
Michael J. Brandt
Stephen P. Leara
Laura M. Jackman