SALT LAKE CITY (April 15, 2009) – Holland & Hart LLP, the largest law firm based in the Intermountain West, announces the arrival of three attorneys who join the firm’s Venture Capital and Emerging Growth groups within the business department of the firm’s Salt Lake City office. Matthew G. Wells, a leading venture capital attorney, joins the firm as a partner, accompanied by two associates, Wade O. Bean and Matthew J. Thorne, as well as some associated staff members. All three attorneys and their staff come to Holland & Hart from Ray Quinney & Nebeker’s Venture practice group.
Wells has represented public and private technology companies since 2000 when he joined Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Palo Alto. He later helped to open that firm’s office in Salt Lake City. When Wilson Sonsini closed its Salt Lake office in 2007, Wells moved to Ray Quinney with Mark Bonham and succeeded Bonham as leader of Ray Quinney’s Venture group last year.
“Holland & Hart has one of the largest and strongest corporate practices in Utah and the Intermountain Region. Matt Wells’ local, national and international experience adds tremendous breadth to the venture capital, M&A transaction, corporate and securities services we offer our clients,” said Gregory E. Lindley, Holland & Hart’s Salt Lake office administrative partner and a member in the firm’s business department. "We are thrilled to welcome these three outstanding and talented attorneys to our Venture Capital & Emerging Growth groups."
Holland & Hart lawyers are actively involved in advising emerging growth companies on a broad range of legal and business matters affecting growing private and public companies. They have structured hundreds of debt and equity capital transactions, advised on the acquisition and disposition of hundreds of companies and their assets, and handled a full spectrum of foreign and domestic intellectual property concerns for growing companies. Holland & Hart’s full-service focus also provides other services which may be relevant to emerging businesses including employee benefits, tax, commercial lending, government contracting, trade regulation, real estate, environmental, creditors' rights, and litigation.
“The experience that Matt Wells, Wade Bean and Matt Thorne bring to our group fits perfectly in the dynamic practice areas already in place at Holland & Hart,” said Marc Porter, an attorney colleague in the firm's Venture Capital and Emerging Growth groups. “I know that combining our teams will significantly enhance the services we offer to all our clients.”
Wells received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and his B.A. from Brigham Young University, summa cum laude. Bean received both his M.B.A and J.D. from Northwestern University at the Kellogg School of Management and Northwestern University School of Law and his B.A. from Brigham Young University, magna cum laude. Thorne earned his J.D. at the University of Southern California School of Law and his B.A. at Brigham Young University.