An attorney in Dickinson Wright’s Seattle office, Matthew Runkel focuses his practice on corporate and transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, venture capital financings, private placements, and general business counseling. With more than two decades of experience, Matt advises entrepreneurs and companies at all stages of development, from emerging startups to established private and public companies. He helps clients structure, fund, and grow their enterprises, regularly advising on complex securities offerings, corporate finance transactions, and high-stakes mergers and acquisitions.
Matt is known for his creative, solutions-oriented approach and for balancing big-picture strategy with meticulous attention to detail. Clients particularly value his ability to distill complex legal and business issues into clear, actionable advice. Matt frequently collaborates with non-U.S. companies and their counsel on U.S. securities aspects of cross-border transactions. He is committed to building long-term client relationships and takes pride in empowering business leaders to make confident, strategic decisions as their companies evolve.
Education & Credentials
Education
Columbia University School of Law
J.D., 1992- Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
- Haft Foundation Moot Court First-Year Brief Prize
Harvard College
A.B., Social Studies, 1989- magna cum laude
Bar Admission
Acknowledgements
- Washington’s Most Amazing Attorneys, Washington CEO Magazine, 2006
Prominent Assignments
- Represented a specialty glass processing company in its acquisition from a multinational manufacturer.
- Advised a technology company in its sale to a broadcast systems firm.
- Structured and closed multiple private placement financings for real estate investment entities.
- Provided entity formation and securities offering counsel to a real estate fund.
- Represented a healthcare company in convertible note and Series A Preferred Stock financings.
- Advised an early-stage medical technologies company in Series A Preferred Stock financing.
- Counseled a digital media startup in various financings, including Series A Preferred Stock, investment contracts, and convertible notes.
- Represented a selling member in the sale of a consulting firm to a national IT services provider.
- Advised on the sale of a construction company to a regional general contractor.
- Assisted in the formation of a private equity real estate fund.
- Handled the sale of an online art marketplace to a major e-commerce company.
- Represented a real estate firm in its sale to a national property services company.
- Formed multiple real estate investment entities and advised on related private placement financings.
Professional Involvement
- Washington State Bar Association
Publications/Presentations
- Author, “‘Family Offices’ Excluded from Federal Investment Adviser Registration,” CompanyCounsel.net, 2012.
- Author, “Delaware Court of Chancery Rules Preferred Stockholders Can Bring Stockholder Derivative Actions,” CompanyCounsel.net, 2010.
- Author, “Delaware Court of Chancery Refuses to Dismiss Claim of Aiding and Abetting an LLC Manager’s Breach of Fiduciary Duty,” CompanyCounsel.net, 2010.