532 Venture Capital Financing

This class will focus on the legal and economic structure of venture capital transactions and will familiarize students with the legal agreements used to document these transactions. Using lectures and in-class exercises, students will learn the function of the most common transaction documents, the economic and/or legal purpose of the provisions contained within these documents and alternative approaches to address specific situations. Throughout the semester, students will work on a simulated transaction to gain experience in negotiating and drafting documents with an emphasis on meeting client objectives. Students will be evaluated on the basis of class participation and written assignments.

Enrollment Pre-/Co- Requisite Information

Law 210 Business Associations is a mandatory prerequisite for the class. 
Law 384 Securities Regulation, in addition to either Law 534 Advising the Entrepreneurial Client or Law 540 Startup Law, are also recommended, but not required, as prerequisites for this course.

 

Course Areas of Practice
Evaluation Methods
  • Group project(s)
  • Practical exercises
  • Class participation
Degree Requirements
Course Type
  • Seminar
Learning Outcomes
  • Legal analysis and reasoning, legal research, problem-solving, and written and oral communication in the legal context
  • Other professional skills needed for competent and ethical participation as a member of the legal profession

Sample Syllabi

Spring 2025

2025
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

532.01 3
  • Group project(s)
  • Practical exercises
  • Class participation
W.H. "Kip" Johnson III

This class will focus on the legal and economic structure of venture capital transactions and will familiarize students with the legal agreements used to document these transactions. Using lectures and in-class exercises, students will learn the function of the most common transaction documents, the economic and/or legal purpose of the provisions contained within these documents and alternative approaches to address specific situations. Throughout the semester, students will work on a simulated transaction to gain experience in negotiating and drafting documents with an emphasis on meeting client objectives. Students will be evaluated on the basis of class participation and written assignments.

Pre/Co-requisites

Law 210 Business Associations is a mandatory prerequisite for the class. 
Law 384 Securities Regulation, in addition to either Law 534 Advising the Entrepreneurial Client or Law 540 Startup Law, are also recommended, but not required, as prerequisites for this course.

 

Spring 2024

2024
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

532.01 3
  • Group project(s)
  • Practical exercises
  • Class participation
W.H. "Kip" Johnson III

This class will focus on the legal and economic structure of venture capital transactions and will familiarize students with the legal agreements used to document these transactions. Using lectures and in-class exercises, students will learn the function of the most common transaction documents, the economic and/or legal purpose of the provisions contained within these documents and alternative approaches to address specific situations. Throughout the semester, students will work on a simulated transaction to gain experience in negotiating and drafting documents with an emphasis on meeting client objectives. Students will be evaluated on the basis of class participation and written assignments.

Syllabus: 532-01-Spring2024-syllabus.docx19.56 KB

Pre/Co-requisites

Law 210 Business Associations is a mandatory prerequisite for the class. 
Law 384 Securities Regulation, in addition to either Law 534 Advising the Entrepreneurial Client or Law 540 Startup Law, are also recommended, but not required, as prerequisites for this course.

 

Spring 2023

2023
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

532.01 3
  • Group project(s)
  • Practical exercises
  • Class participation
W.H. "Kip" Johnson III

This class will focus on the legal and economic structure of venture capital transactions and will familiarize students with the legal agreements used to document these transactions. Using lectures and in-class exercises, students will learn the function of the most common transaction documents, the economic and/or legal purpose of the provisions contained within these documents and alternative approaches to address specific situations. Throughout the semester, students will work on a simulated transaction to gain experience in negotiating and drafting documents with an emphasis on meeting client objectives. Students will be evaluated on the basis of class participation and written assignments.

Pre/Co-requisites

Law 210 Business Associations is a mandatory prerequisite for the class. 
Law 384 Securities Regulation, in addition to either Law 534 Advising the Entrepreneurial Client or Law 540 Startup Law, are also recommended, but not required, as prerequisites for this course.

 

Spring 2022

2022
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

532.01 3
  • Group project(s)
  • Practical exercises
  • Class participation
W.H. "Kip" Johnson III

This class will focus on the legal and economic structure of venture capital transactions and will familiarize students with the legal agreements used to document these transactions. Using lectures and in-class exercises, students will learn the function of the most common transaction documents, the economic and/or legal purpose of the provisions contained within these documents and alternative approaches to address specific situations. Throughout the semester, students will work on a simulated transaction to gain experience in negotiating and drafting documents with an emphasis on meeting client objectives. Students will be evaluated on the basis of class participation and written assignments.

Pre/Co-requisites

Law 210 Business Associations is a mandatory prerequisite for the class.
Law 384 Securities Regulation and Law 534 Advising the Entrepreneurial Client are also recommended, but not required, as prerequisites for this course.

Spring 2021

2021
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

532.01 3
  • Group project(s)
  • Practical exercises
  • Class participation
W.H. "Kip" Johnson III

This class will focus on the legal and economic structure of venture capital transactions and will familiarize students with the legal agreements used to document these transactions. Using lectures and in-class exercises, students will learn the function of the most common transaction documents, the economic and/or legal purpose of the provisions contained within these documents and alternative approaches to address specific situations. Throughout the semester, students will work on a simulated transaction to gain experience in negotiating and drafting documents with an emphasis on meeting client objectives. Students will be evaluated on the basis of class participation and written assignments.

Pre/Co-requisites

Law 210 Business Associations is a mandatory prerequisite for the class.
Law 384 Securities Regulation and Law 534 Advising the Entrepreneurial Client are also recommended, but not required, as prerequisites for this course.

Spring 2020

2020
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

532.01 3 W.H. "Kip" Johnson III

This class will focus on the legal and economic structure of venture capital transactions and will familiarize students with the legal agreements used to document these transactions. Using lectures and in-class exercises, students will learn the function of the most common transaction documents, the economic and/or legal purpose of the provisions contained within these documents and alternative approaches to address specific situations. Throughout the semester, students will work on a simulated transaction to gain experience in negotiating and drafting documents with an emphasis on meeting client objectives. Students will be evaluated on the basis of class participation and written assignments.

Business Associations is a mandatory prerequisite for the class. Securities Regulation and Advising the Entrepreneurial Client are recommended preparation for the course.

Pre/Co-requisites

LAW 384 SECURITIES REGULATION and LAW 534 ADVISING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL CLIENT are also recommended, but not required, as prerequisites for this course.

Spring 2019

2019
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

532.01 3 W.H. "Kip" Johnson III

This class will focus on the legal and economic structure of venture capital transactions and will familiarize students with the legal agreements used to document these transactions. Using lectures and in-class exercises, students will learn the function of the most common transaction documents, the economic and/or legal purpose of the provisions contained within these documents and alternative approaches to address specific situations. Throughout the semester, students will work on a simulated transaction to gain experience in negotiating and drafting documents with an emphasis on meeting client objectives. Students will be evaluated on the basis of class participation and written assignments.

Business Associations is a mandatory prerequisite for the class. Securities Regulation and Advising the Entrepreneurial Client are recommended preparation for the course.

Pre/Co-requisites

LAW 384 SECURITIES REGULATION and LAW 534 ADVISING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL CLIENT are also recommended, but not required, as prerequisites for this course.

Spring 2018

2018
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

532.01 3 W.H. "Kip" Johnson III

This class will focus on the legal and economic structure of venture capital transactions and will familiarize students with the legal agreements used to document these transactions. Using lectures and in-class exercises, students will learn the function of the most common transaction documents, the economic and/or legal purpose of the provisions contained within these documents and alternative approaches to address specific situations. Throughout the semester, students will work on a simulated transaction to gain experience in negotiating and drafting documents with an emphasis on meeting client objectives. Students will be evaluated on the basis of class participation and written assignments.

Business Associations is a mandatory prerequisite for the class. Securities Regulation and Advising the Entrepreneurial Client are recommended preparation for the course.

Pre/Co-requisites

LAW 384 SECURITIES REGULATION and LAW 534 ADVISING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL CLIENT are also recommended, but not required, as prerequisites for this course.

Spring 2017

2017
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

532.01 3 W.H. "Kip" Johnson III

This class will focus on the legal and economic structure of venture capital transactions and will familiarize students with the legal agreements used to document these transactions. Using lectures and in-class exercises, students will learn the function of the most common transaction documents, the economic and/or legal purpose of the provisions contained within these documents and alternative approaches to address specific situations. Throughout the semester, students will work on a simulated transaction to gain experience in negotiating and drafting documents with an emphasis on meeting client objectives. Students will be evaluated on the basis of class participation and written assignments.

Business Associations is a mandatory prerequisite for the class. Securities Regulation and Advising the Entrepreneurial Client are recommended preparation for the course.

Pre/Co-requisites

LAW 384 SECURITIES REGULATION and LAW 534 ADVISING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL CLIENT are also recommended, but not required, as prerequisites for this course.

Spring 2016

2016
Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor

532.01 3 W.H. "Kip" Johnson III

This class will focus on the legal and economic structure of venture capital transactions and will familiarize students with the legal agreements used to document these transactions. Using lectures and in-class exercises, students will learn the function of the most common transaction documents, the economic and/or legal purpose of the provisions contained within these documents and alternative approaches to address specific situations. Throughout the semester, students will work on a simulated transaction to gain experience in negotiating and drafting documents with an emphasis on meeting client objectives. Students will be evaluated on the basis of class participation and written assignments.

Business Associations is a mandatory prerequisite for the class. Securities Regulation and Advising the Entrepreneurial Client are recommended preparation for the course.

Pre/Co-requisites

Business Associations is required as a prerequisite to this course.

*Please note that this information is for planning purposes only, and should not be relied upon for the schedule for a given semester. Faculty leaves and sabbaticals, as well as other curriculum considerations, will sometimes affect when a course may be offered.