Lori Smith

Lori Smith -Partner, Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold, LLP

Lori Smith advises companies at all stages of development, but it’s her expertise in early stage financing activities that has earned her recognition from Chambers and Partners, and the respect of some of the brightest entrepreneurs in New York’s Silicon Alley.

“In the vibrant world of venture- and angel-capital funded high-growth startup companies, Lori Smith is regarded as the gold-standard counsel by both sides of the table, investors and entrepreneurs,” says David Rose, CEO of Angelsoft, managing partner of Rose Tech Ventures, and chairman of New York Angels. “All too often we see deals that might otherwise have worked that were torpedoed by over-zealous lawyering on one or both sides. With her deep experience supporting growing businesses, matched by her equally deep experience in the financing community, Lori is everyone’s first choice when the goal is to consummate a deal that is fair for both sides.

“Having founded half a dozen startup businesses for which she was company counsel, and invested in more than 50 others where she served as investor counsel,” Rose continues, “I can think of no other attorney in New York whom I would rather use.”

Smith also provides pro bono work for the New York chapters of Astia, the women’s entrepreneurship organization, and the MIT Enterprise Forum.