J. Matthew Lyons
Partner
Matt practices corporate and securities law, where he specializes in representing private and public technology and other emerging growth companies. Matt advises companies, entrepreneurs and investors on forming and operating businesses, raising capital through private and public offerings, buying and selling companies, and on complying with the periodic reporting and Sarbanes-Oxley requirements of the federal securities laws. He also regularly counsels companies and their boards on corporate governance and executive compensation matters. He also represents and maintains relationships with a number of prominent venture capital, private equity and investment banking firms, and he has participated in the formation of several venture capital funds.
Matt has consistently been named as one of the leading lawyers in Texas for the area of Technology: Corporate and Commercial in the Chambers USA Rankings. He has also been Martindale-Hubbell "Peer Review Rated" for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability. In 2005, Matt was named a Texas Rising Star in the area of Securities and Corporate Finance by Texas Super Lawyers and Texas Monthly.
Publications
- "Establishing Corporate Governance in Emerging Growth Companies," (pdf) Best Practices for Corporate Governance and Compliance, Aspatore (2008)
In The News
- "Top Ten Legal Mistakes Made by Entrepreneurs," (Interview) Struggling Entrepreneur (April 29, 2010)
- "Andrews Kurth Launches Fixed Fee Start-Up Package for Legal Services" blog post by Thom Singer
- "Acton School of Business Creates a Platform for Growth with Second Annual Angel Network Event"
- "Andrews Kurth Hosts Mock Term Sheet Negotiation for Austin Technology Incubator Companies and the Central Texas Angel Network"
- "Matt Lyons talks about term sheets at the Entrepreneur Funding Symposium"
Events
- ATC/RISE RAVE 3.0 (June 29, 2010)
- "Legal Perspectives on Forming an Emerging Company," The University of Texas Venture Fellows MBA Program, Austin, Texas (pdf) (April 14, 2010)
- "How To Hire The Right Lawyer For Your Venture," (Interview) Blog Talk Radio (March 7, 2010)
- "Unique Considerations When Forming a Clean Tech Venture," (with Alan Bickerstaff) presented at RISE, Austin, Texas (pdf) (March 5, 2010)
- "Top Ten Legal Mistakes Made By Entrepreneurs," presented at RISE, Austin, Texas (pdf) (March 3, 2010)
- "Exit Strategy Planning: Begin with the End in Mind," co-hosted by Andrews Kurth and Tolarus Capital Advisors, Austin, Texas (pdf) (February 18, 2010)
- "Top Ten Legal Mistakes Made By Entrepreneurs," presented at TechRanch Pioneer Brown Bag Lunch, Austin, Texas (pdf) (January 14, 2010)
- “Financing a Startup: Selecting the Investor and Negotiating the Term Sheet – The Entrepreneur’s Perspective," The University of Texas Venture Fellows MBA Program, Austin, Texas (pdf) (November 10, 2009)
- Panelist, "Term Sheets 101," Austin Technology Incubator Seminar, Austin, Texas (pdf) (September 28, 2009)
- Advisory Board Member, Rice Alliance Energy & Clean Technology Venture Forum (September 17, 2009)
- Panelist, UT McCombs School of Business Entrepreneur Society Start Up Meet Up (September 11, 2009)
- Judge, UT McCombs School of Business Entrepreneur Society Pitch Party (September 10, 2009)
- "Venture Financing: Forming an Emerging Company - Laying the Foundation for Venture Capital Investment," The University of Texas Venture Fellows MBA Program, Austin, Texas (pdf) (April 22, 2009)
- "Top Ten Legal Mistakes Made By Entrepreneurs," presented at RISE, Austin, Texas (pdf) (March 5, 2009)
- Judge, I.T./Web 2.0 Technology Venture Forum for Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship (December 11, 2008)
- "Angel Financing: Selecting the Investor and Negotiating the Term Sheet - The Entrepreneur's Perspective," Acton MBA 2nd Annual Angel Networking Event, Austin, Texas (pdf) (May 22, 2008)
- "Venture Financing: Selecting the Investor and Negotiating the Series A Term Sheet - The Entrepreneur's Perspective," Central Texas Funding Symposium, Austin, Texas (pdf) (April 18, 2008)
- "Venture Financing: Forming an Emerging Company - Laying the Foundation for Venture Capital Investment," The University of Texas Venture Fellows MBA Program, Austin, Texas (pdf) (April 1, 2008)
- "Top Ten Legal Mistakes Made By Entrepreneurs," presented at RISE, Austin, Texas (pdf) (March 4, 2008)
- "Venture Financing: Forming an Emerging Company - Laying the Foundation for Venture Capital Investment," The University of Texas Venture Fellows MBA Program, Austin, Texas (pdf) (November 14, 2007)
- "Angel Financing: Selecting the Investor and Negotiating the Term Sheet - The Entrepreneur's Perspective," Austin Technology Incubator/Central Texas Angel Network, Austin, Texas (pdf) (September 18, 2007)
- "Positioning Your Company for the Smooth and Successful Sale," Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas Legal Bites Breakfast Series, Austin, Texas (pdf) (September 18, 2007)
- "Legal Strategies for Clean Tech Innovation," (with Sean Wooden, Roger Feldman, John Harrop and Carrick Brooke-Davidson) presented at Clean Energy Venture Summit, Austin, Texas (May 14, 2007)
- "Venture Financing: Selecting the Investor and Negotiating the Term Sheet - The Entrepreneur's Perspective," The University of Texas Venture Fellows MBA Program, Austin, Texas (pdf) (March 28, 2007)
- Presiding Officer (Houston, Texas and Dallas, Texas), UT School of Law Corporate Counsel Institute (2005-2007)
- Judge, UT Moot Court Finals (May 2005)
- Judge, Venture Capital Investment Competition (UT Division) (February 2005)
- "Issues on Structuring the Angel Investor Deal," Texas Entrepreneur & Angel Investor Conference, Austin, Texas (pdf) (May 4, 2004)
- CEO Panel Moderator, Austin Technology Council's Annual Texas Executive Summit, Austin, Texas (May 4, 2004)
- "Executive Compensation Strategies for Start-ups," Austin Texchange, Austin, Texas (October 2003)
- Judge, Rice University Southwest Business Plan Competition (2001-2007)
Professional Recognition
- Profiled as one of the leading Technology lawyers, The US Legal 500 (2010)
