SSM is a women-owned boutique law firm in San Francisco, San Diego, and Seattle. We represent micro-venture capital funds, technology companies, and industry-adjacent service providers who are forming and scaling their companies, fundraising/deploying venture capital, selling to, merging with and/or acquiring other businesses. Additionally, we assist our clients in managing relationships with their former companies, employees, partners, investors, service providers, or customers. We are a completely virtual law firm and rely on innovative legal technology to provide a high-touch service.
Upcoming events
March 7, 2023 - 4:00PM PST - "Ride the Wave: Alternative Financing to VCs in 2023"
Kelly Lawton-Abbott of SSM will speak on a panel titled "Ride the Wave: Alternative Financing to VCs in 2023". We’ve all seen the headlines: VCs are slowing their check-writing pace as we head further into the year. Raising money for your startup could get even trickier in 2023, even in the early stages, but investing vets have a pointer or two for entrepreneurs navigating it. First, fundraising efforts are moving forward despite difficult dealmaking conditions and weaker investor sentiment.
Private funds have undoubtedly been impacted by global events in 2022. As a result, we can expect continued moderation in funding activity in the first half of 2023 compared to the previous two years.
Our expert panel is diving into the tough questions and providing insights into what sources are available to you. SSM, Trinet, NowCFO, and First Republic Bank are sponsoring appetizers and drinks for this event.
March 8, 2023 - 6-8 PM PST - Keynote Speech for SwissNex SF's CleanTech Pitch Night
Lindsey S. Mignano will present the keynote speech for "Startup Bites - CleanTech Pitch Night" at SwissNex San Francisco. She will discuss the current state of venture financing and acquisitions in the US.
March 16, 2023 - 5:30PM PST - "How to Scale and Build Out Startup Teams After a Financing Event" for Founders Live
SSM is excited to cosponsor a Founders Live pitch contest and a panel titled "How to Scale and Build Out Startup Teams After a Financing Event." As more early stage startups receive larger amounts of investment at the seed and Series A than ever before, the next question becomes, how does a founder grow and scale startup teams and preserve enough financial runway for a rainy day? Join us for an informative panel where we’ll be discussing topics such as how to attract and retain diverse talent, how to ensure that your financial runway is sound in times of expansion, and how to best work with your investors after a raise to ensure success. Co-sponsors SSM, Trinet, and Burkland are sponsoring dinner and drinks at this event. Panelists include:
March 23, 2023 - 12:30PM PST- 1:30PM PST - "Talk Story with Professionals" for UC Law SF’s Hawaii Law Student Association
Lindsey Mignano will speak on a panel comprised of Hawaii-born legal professionals who will share their experience navigating law school and career. This networking and career event is for UC Law SF students.
March 23, 2023 - 6:00PM PST - Founders Live Seattle
Kelly Lawton-Abbott in her capacity as the City Leader for Founders Live Seattle will be hosting happy hour. Join us for an incredible evening to hang with other entrepreneurs and hear from five awesome Seattle startups. Founders Live is an unforgettable happy hour competition sweeping the globe where up to five handpicked companies take the hot seat, with only 99 seconds to pitch their company and describe their value proposition in front of an eager audience. After the pitches and audience Q&A, the crowd will vote on a winner who will not only receive an award, but recognition from the crowd and also the opportunity to talk more about their product or service. So bring your friends and coworkers, grab some food and drink, get to know your local entrepreneurs and vote for what you think will be the next big thing... built in the PNW.
March 28, 2023 - 4:00PM PST - 5:15PM PST - "Venture Capital Financing and Mergers & Acquisitions in 2023" for Bar Association of San Francisco
Lindsey S. Mignano, Daniel Parames of Cooley, Theresa Tate of Morrison & Foerster (MoFo), Liana Whittleton of WSGR, Craig Tighe of DLA Piper, and Danny Lopez of Orrick will present a panel titled "Venture Capital Financing and Mergers & Acquisitions in 2023" for the Bar Association of San Francisco. The startup financing and market for acquisitions had a red-hot 2021, but fast-forward through 2022 and to the start of 2023, and startup funding and M&A deal activity has slowed substantially. What does this trend mean for the companies raising capital or seeking acquisition, the venture or private equity funds deploying capital, and the corporate lawyers representing them in these transactions, in 2023? How will the current economic market in 2023 affect the negotiating power of the parties, and the ways in which corporate counsel may advise their clients? Join us for a panel comprised of experts in the Emerging Companies/Venture Capital (EC/VC) and M&A fields as we talk shop about these issues and more. SSM, Orrick, Cooley, MoFo, and DLA Piper will host a happy hour networking event following the panel.
March 29, 2023 - 1:00PM EDT - "Corporate Reorganizations: Structuring Internal Mergers, Split-Offs, Asset Transfers, Recapitalizations" for Strafford
Lindsey Mignano will speak on a panel with Rob Stevenson of Skadden regarding corporate reorganization types and strategies, upfront concerns such as board and shareholder consents, state law requirements, third-party consents and transferring employees between entities. Panelists will discusses the multifaceted issues companies and their counsel must navigate in planning and implementing corporate reorganizations, including security law issues, if applicable, tax-free reorganization under Section 368, and international tax considerations.
April 20, 2023 - 6:30PM PST - 8:30PM PST - "Tech + Social Impact (& More) Happy Hour" for Stanford Alumni Association
Lindsey S. Mignano, in her capacity as a member of the Board of the Stanford Alumni Association Women's Impact Network, will co-organize and host a networking event for fellow Stanford alums in tech, sustainability, social impact, and public service at Barebottle Brewing Co. in San Francisco. Space is limited. For those of you who are not Stanford Alums, please reach out to Lindsey to purchase a guest ticket.
April 26, 2023 - 9:45AM PST - 10:15am PST - "SSM x Burkland - Zoom Knowledge Share with Burkland CFOs"
Lindsey S. Mignano will present for approximately 40 of Burkland Associates' outsourced CFOs on the top legal concerns CFOs should look out for when assisting their startup clients with onboarding commercial partners and cap table management in preparation for due diligence. This webinar is being offered as a part of Burkland Associates' bimonthly Knowledge Share. Invite only.
May 4, 2023 - 6:30PM PST - 8:30PM PST - "Tech + Healthcare (& More) Happy Hour" for Stanford Alumni Association
Lindsey S. Mignano, in her capacity as a member of the Board of the Stanford Alumni Association Women's Impact Network, will co-organize and host a networking event for fellow alums in tech, science, healthcare, wellness, and medicine at Barebottle Beer Garden at Springline in Menlo Park. Space is limited. For those of you who are not Stanford Alums, please reach out to Lindsey to purchase a guest ticket.