Press Release
Duane Morris Continues Pittsburgh Growth; Firm Expands Corporate Practice
PITTSBURGH, MARCH 23 - Duane Morris LLP, one of the nation's 100 largest law firms, has added a new partner to its Corporate Practice Group. Jeffrey W. Spear, formerly of Buchanan Ingersoll PC, has joined the Duane Morris Pittsburgh office.
"We are delighted to welcome Jeffrey to the firm," said Sheldon Bonovitz, Chairman of Duane Morris. "His experience adds to our burgeoning transactional practice, and brings significant value to the firm's clients."
"Jeffrey's background, particularly in venture capital work, will significantly enhance our ability to serve our clients in that important area," observed Kathleen M. Shay, chair of the firm's Corporate Practice Group.
"Jeffrey is energetic and brings substantial work with him to the firm," said George M. Medved, Managing Partner of the Pittsburgh office. "He has experience with both emerging companies and established businesses, and we are excited about working with him on both kinds of clients."
Jeffrey W. Spear focuses his practice on general business counseling with an emphasis on services to emerging businesses, including venture capital, mergers and acquisitions and strategic partnerships.
He serves as outside general counsel for more than a dozen companies, including technology and entrepreneurial growth firms, advising on both financial and legal issues. Several of his clients have been recognized as the finest and fastest growing technology companies in the Pittsburgh region.
Jeffrey assists clients with their efforts to raise equity and has guided small business owners and entrepreneurs in mergers, acquisitions and strategic partnerships. He has successfully structured complex transactions involving both public and private financing. His significant experience in related practice areas, including financial transactions, workouts and restructurings and bankruptcy and creditors' rights, often proves useful to start-ups and technology companies as they move through various stages of growth.
Active in the community, Jeffrey is a member of the Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association and the Association for Corporate Growth. He currently serves as the President and Chair of the Board of Jewish Family and Children's Service of Pittsburgh. He is also a board member of the Dollar Energy Fund and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. He served on the Executive Council of the Allegheny County Bar Association's Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section from 1994-2003.
Jeffrey is a 1989 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.
About Duane Morris
Duane Morris LLP, one of the 100 largest law firms in the United States, is a full-service firm of approximately 550 lawyers. In addition, Duane Morris affiliates have approximately 40 professionals engaged in ancillary service businesses. The firm represents clients across the nation and around the world through a combination of more than 20 offices and relationships with two international networks of independent law firms.
