Matthew C. Cooper
Partner – Business and Corporate Law
Businesses and business owners in the Mid-Atlantic, particularly Southeastern Pennsylvania, turn to Matthew Cooper for his extensive experience in all aspects of the corporate business life cycle including entity formation, commercial lending, mergers and acquisitions and private securities offerings.
Matthew’s clients range from newly-minted startups to third-generation family businesses to middle market corporations. Many of Matthew’s clients reside in the agricultural/mushroom, food and beverage, financial services and landscaping industries; however, his practice is industry agnostic. For many of his clients, Matthew acts as their go-to outside counsel, anticipating their business’ needs and being there for 24/7 advice and counsel. Clients remark on his responsiveness, accessibility, attention to detail and remarkable “let’s get to yes” energy.
Matthew is a transactional attorney laser-focused on getting deals closed on the terms and timing that his clients want. Whether buy-side or sell-side, Matthew is a trusted advisor for much of the middle market mergers and acquisitions happening in Southeastern Pennsylvania. He is one of only a handful of attorneys in Chester County experienced in handling private placements. Thus, when businesses seek to raise capital and fundraise, they turn to Matt for this specialized expertise knowing that he can turn a letter of intent into a successful fundraise on timelines that clients need.
According to clients, working with Matt is a rewarding experience. Beyond his deep understanding of business law, what separates him from other business attorneys is his commitment to understand each client’s business and industry thoroughly including how it operates, makes money and deals with various challenges. With this important perspective, he can best assist clients in reaching their goals and serving as a trusted ally and partner — looking at their business with an eye towards financial success, tax minimization, compliance and limited risk and exposure.
Matthew began his career in the Washington, D.C. office of an Am Law 100 firm where he counseled management and boards of directors of private and public companies in navigating legal challenges, while facilitating their compliance with current and future laws and regulations. His experience in Washington, D.C. included the representation of Fortune 500 and private equity companies with SEC disclosure and financial reporting rules and best practices, corporate governance, commercial lending, fund formation and capital-raising/strategic transactions.
A summa cum laude graduate of Virginia Tech, Matthew was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest academic honor society, and Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership society. He earned his J.D. from William & Mary Law School where he served on the William & Mary Business Law Review and as a member of the school’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Team.
Notable Representations
Mergers & Acquisitions
- Represented, as securities counsel, NYSE-listed client in its $2.7 billion sale (cash and stock consideration) to another NYSE-listed company; securities registered on Form S-4.
- Represented NYSE-listed and Fortune 100 client in its $62 million purchase of an equity ownership percentage in a leading media streaming company.
- Represented environmental consulting/remediation Seller in $48 million sale of equity (cash and rollover equity consideration) to private equity firm (F-Reorganization).
- Represented Seller in $42.5 million asset sale of industry leader’s pool/spa products and chemicals business.
- Represented Seller in $18 million sale of leading automotive finance and insurance development company.
Business/Commercial Lending Transactions
- Represented bank in their $10.25 million asset-based loan secured by three separate state mortgages to finance the construction and installation of a geothermal energy facility.
- Represented local mushroom company in $7.5 million convertible loan to essential peat/spawn industry supplier.
- Represented, as securities counsel, OTC-listed client in their Chapter 11 bankruptcy and accompanying $6.7 million asset sale and winding-down process.
- Represented OTC-listed client in a restructuring transaction providing for the satisfaction and extinguishment of debt obligations under an existing Credit Agreement and providing for the issuance of $3 million in new capital.
Securities & Private Placements
- Represented NASDAQ-listed client, as lead counsel to the issuer, in its $375 million Rule 144A/Regulation S offering of senior notes and related guarantees from certain subsidiaries.
- Represented 501(c)(3) corporation in its borrowing of $163 million in sustainability bonds to fundraise the construction, development, and implementation of new and existing structural improvements to one of the country’s premier horticultural display gardens.
- Represented OTC-listed client in obtaining $20 million equity line of credit with securities registered on Form S-1.
- Represented private fund client in its $25 million offering of subscription units for fund’s targeted investments in one of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Qualified Opportunity Zones with a focus on start-up businesses in the internet infrastructure, cellular coverage, and green technology spaces.
- Represented Chester County distillery in $1.5 million private placement of securities to accredited investors.
- Represented Chester County distillery in its $1.2 million private placement offering of securities under Regulation Crowdfunding.
- Represented Philadelphia-based coffee roastery in $2 million private placement of securities to accredited and non-accredited investors; preparation of Private Placement Memorandum.
Community Involvement
- West Chester Public Library, Board of Trustees
- Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador Committee, Member
- Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce, Community & Government Relations Committee, Member
PRACTICE AREAS
OFFICES
ADMISSIONS
- Pennsylvania
- Maryland
- Washington, D.C.
EDUCATION
- William & Mary Law School (J.D.)
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (B.A., summa cum laude, Political Science)
AWARDS
