John Murphy practices out of our Marin County office. Prior to joining the firm in 2004 he was a partner in the Corporate Group at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton in San Francisco. Mr. Murphy began his legal career as an attorney in the Division of Corporation Finance of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington D.C.

Mr. Murphy’s practice focuses on securities and general corporate law. His securities law experience includes representing issuers and underwriters in private and public offerings as well as bridge and PIPE financings. During the course of his practice, he has had extensive dealings with the Securities and Exchange Commission on a variety of matters under the Securities Act of 1933, Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Adviser Act of 1940. He also has frequently dealt with the California Department of Business Oversight (formerly the Department of Corporations), Blue Sky regulators and FINRA.

An important part of Mr. Murphy’s practice involves working with emerging growth companies and their founders and investors. He has substantial experience in structuring and documenting start-up, early-round and mezzanine financings. In connection with his work with emerging growth companies, Mr. Murphy is frequently involved with negotiating and drafting documents involving the capital structure and charter documents, executive compensation, non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements and related early-stage matters. Mr. Murphy also has substantial experience representing both purchasers and sellers in stock, asset and merger transactions.

Mr. Murphy frequently advises and counsels senior management and boards of directors on corporate governance, fiduciary duties, best practices and regulatory compliance issues, including responsibilities under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act. He also is often retained by companies or their legal counsel to act as an expert witness or to provide independent review and analysis of certain corporate and securities law matters that are the subject of dispute in arbitration or litigation.

Since 1995, Mr. Murphy has had an “AV Preeminent” rating from Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.

Education:

J.D., University of San Diego School of Law, Member, San Diego Law Review

B.A., University of San Diego, Departmental Honors; Student Body President; Alcala Award, Outstanding Senior Graduate

Professional Activities and Recognition

Speaking Engagements and Publications

Bar Admission:

State Bar of California