With fully integrated experience in business law, intellectual property (IP) law, health law, regulatory law, and tax law, we are uniquely positioned to take your company through the intricate maze that faces you as you bring your idea to market.

Foley Understands Nanotechnology and Microsystems
At Foley, we are excited about the broad vistas of nanotechnology and microsystems. We know that an emerging nanotechnology and microsystems sector lies at the intersection of materials science, organic chemistry and biochemistry, semiconductor design, fluidics, and computer science, among other disciplines. The overarching goal is to fabricate materials and devices from the “bottom up,” controlling structure at the atomic or molecular level. To these ends, whole new manufacturing technologies are under development, employing organic molecules or biomaterials for electronic- and optical-device applications, or relying on quantum-mechanical effects to generate a desired property. The fruits of these technologies may supplement or even replace conventional semiconductor devices, data storage materials, structural materials, and medical tools.

We also know, however, triumph in basic research does not guarantee commercial success. Victory in the marketplace requires a sophisticated combination of scientific discovery, IP protection, regulatory approval, management acumen, and access to financial markets. We can bring real value to a nanotechnology or microsystems company because we have a keen comprehension of each of these areas, and the ability to suggest strategies that will keep your company on the path to commercial success.

Venture capitalists considering investments in a nanotechnology or microsystems company must learn all they can about the strength of the company's IP position and its chances for obtaining required regulatory approvals. At Foley, we offer a unified perspective on meeting the needs of the nanotechnology and microsystems sector and its sources of funding.

By integrating multiple disciplines within the firm, our Foley Nanotechnology Team serves the diverse needs of nanotechnology- and microsystems-oriented enterprises in areas of regulatory affairs such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), general business law, securities, antitrust counseling, labor and employment law, taxation, international trade, health care, and IP law to form a comprehensive legal approach to the needs of the nanotechnology or microsystems start-up.

Business Law
Since its founding more than 160 years ago, Foley has provided business law services to start-ups and other companies involved with the high-technology of their day. Our experience in representing companies from their formation through private, then public securities offerings, and on to becoming large, multinational, multibillion-dollar public companies gives us insight into the many pitfalls that exist at each stage of a company's life, which can stunt its growth or contribute to its failure.

We provide new businesses with counseling and assistance in selecting the type of entity and capital structure that is the right choice for their business. We assist young companies in positioning themselves to attract the broadest interest from venture capital and other potential investors. We are experienced in the full range of business transactions that an emerging company may require from capital-raising securities offerings, both private and public, to mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations, and restructurings.

In addition to transactional business law counseling, we also assist private and public companies with employment-related matters, international activities, real estate, taxation, litigation, dispute resolution, antitrust law, and preparation of commercial and other business agreements.