Jeffrey P. Somers

Of Counsel

Jeff is an AV-rated attorney with more than 30 years experience of diversified business law experience, including general corporate and securities matters; corporate governance; finance, M&A and international business transactions; securities laws compliance for investment advisers and broker-dealers; formation of private investment funds; and IP transfer and licensing.

Representing businesses in all stages of their lifecycle, from start-up to maturity, Jeff provides counseling in matters such as choice of business entity, equity and debt financing, mergers and acquisitions, and executive compensation. He has extensive experience in biotech collaborative research, development and licensing transactions, as well as university/hospital technology transfers. He represents investment advisers and broker-dealers, including several international firms, regarding U.S. federal and state regulatory matters, and he advises clients on the formation, operation and regulation of private investment funds. Jeff also regularly represents disinterested members of Boards regarding their fiduciary obligations.

Jeff's recent transactions of note include:

Negotiating a major funded research agreement for Biomeasure/Ipsen with The Salk Institute for Biological Studies.
Representing independent directors or trustees of public companies in connection with their consideration and negotiation of a number of matters, including a major lease with a REIT, sale of the company, mergers of related closed-end mutual funds, and a shareholder derivative claim.
Organizing four private investment funds — for a foreign-based, SEC- registered IA client — offered primarily to U.S. institutional investors.
Leading an MBBP team that served as special M&A counsel to Conrad Fafard, Inc. in its acquisition by Syngeta SA in a transaction valued at $133.5 million.
Negotiating a sponsored research agreement and related licenses for a life sciences client with a prominent Boston teaching hospital.

A former chair of the Business Law Section of the Boston Bar Association and the Securities Law Committee of that section, Jeff is an active member of the corresponding committees of the Massachusetts and American Bar Associations.

Before joining the firm, Jeff was a partner for more than 20 years with Gadsby Hannah LLP (now McCarter English), Boston. At the start of his legal career, he was a staff attorney with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. Jeff served for 10 years as a trustee of Beth Israel Deaconess Needham Hospital and its predecessor, and was chairman of Needham’s first CATV advisory committee.

Jeff is a graduate of Boston College and Boston College Law School.