William D. Stafford

Partner
713.917.0024
will.stafford@dtlawyers.com
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Biography

Will Stafford has developed a broad corporate practice, with an emphasis on business transactions, securities offerings, and general corporate governance. He has extensive experience representing individuals, public and private companies, financial institutions and local governments in a wide variety of matters including mergers and acquisitions, capital markets transactions, early-stage and venture capital investments, technology transactions, commercial contracts, commercial real estate transactions, securities regulation and compliance, corporate structuring and formation, and general corporate matters.

Companies of all sizes have chosen Will to represent them in the sale of their businesses, and strategic and financial purchasers have looked to him to help them strengthen their company portfolio. He has represented corporations in the issuance of debt, equity and convertible securities (both public offerings and private placements), as well as the underwriters and purchasers in securities transactions. He has helped to guide new businesses through their entity formations and early-stage investment transactions, including angel rounds and preferred stock investments from venture capital firms and strategic partners. Most importantly, Will is a trusted business advisor to his clients, who often rely on him as their outside general counsel.

In addition to his corporate practice, Will also regularly represents families and individuals (especially business owners) with their estate planning needs. He prides himself on building lasting relationships with his clients, often helping the same family with their planning over multiple generations.

Representative Matters

Representation of partner in Houston-based restaurant group in connection with partner’s buyout by the other owners.

Representation of privately-held construction services company in the sale of one of its subsidiaries to a strategic purchaser.

Representation of private-held company in the $150 million multi-stage acquisition of 700+ acres and related water rights for the development of 2.4GW data center.

Representation of seller’s representative in connection with the $590 million sale of group of affiliated specialty insurance companies to strategic foreign purchaser.

Representation of personal development events company in its $41 million divisional merger and subsequent bankruptcy.

Representation of NASA engineering services contractor in the sale of its business to a strategic industry purchaser.

Representation of owner of Houston-area commercial and medical laundry service in connection with the $30 million sale of its business and real estate assets to a private-equity backed platform.

Representation of owner of privately held Oracle implementation consulting firm in connection with the sale of its business to a private equity fund.

Representation of modern collectibles startup in connection with its formation and its angel investment round.

Representation of data mining facility developer in its joint venture to redevelop retired power plant site and facility as a hyperscale data center.

Representation of data mining facility developer in its joint venture to create facilities using on-site generation from flare gas turbines.

Representation of company developing miniature automated launch vehicles for SpaceX and NASA missions in its $10 million recapitalization.

Representation of AI-empowered recruiting startup in connection with its formation and $1.5 million Series Seed preferred equity offering.

Representation of high fashion clothing startup in connection with its $2 million Series Seed preferred equity offering.

Representation of real estate services technology startup in connection with its formation and its Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) offering.

Representation of privately held real estate development company in connection with its $2.5 million preferred equity offering and related Regulation CF crowdfunding offering.

Representation of individual shareholders of information technology services company in connection with its acquisition by a private equity fund.

Representation of owner of privately held distribution company in connection with sale of business to its primary supplier.

Representation of owners of Houston-area wealth management firm in connection with the sale of the firm.

Representation of privately held mobility company in connection with convertible debt investment by private equity fund.

Representation of death services company in connection with the acquisition of various cemetery and funeral home properties across the United States.

Representation of CPG startup in connection with its Series Seed preferred stock financing.

Representation of energy technology startup in connection with its formation and its early-stage Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) offering.

Representation of family office in connection with preferred stock investment into telemedicine startup.

Representation of power management and data mining company in its acquisition of a new 500-acre facility.

Representation of privately held real estate development company in connection with its syndicated preferred equity offering.

Served as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer to Series B stage startup, responsible for the entire legal and compliance functions of the company, including its wholly owned broker-dealer and registered investment advisor subsidiaries.