Michael L. Laussade
Practice Areas
Experience
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Biotech, MedTech, & Life Sciences
- Blockchain & Digital Assets
- Capital Markets
- Corporate Governance
- Investment Funds
- Mergers, Acquisitions, & Divestitures
- Private Equity
- Venture Capital & Emerging Companies
Biography
Mike Laussade leads the firm’s Venture Capital and Emerging Companies practice, and routinely counsels early-stage companies in connection with capital raising, M&A transactions, and general business concerns. Mike also represents a number of venture funds and family offices in connection with early-stage investments.
Mike’s investment fund practice includes the representation of private funds in all aspects of fund formation, regulatory compliance, and capital raising, as well as in a wide range of M&A and venture capital transactions. Mike has significant experience helping fund sponsors navigate complex structure and compliance issues attendant to fund formation, as well as assisting funds in the negotiation of co- investments and joint venture relationships.
Mike also serves as a director and general counsel of Meat Fight, Inc., a non-profit organization that hosts outlandish food competitions to raise funds for multiple sclerosis research and athletes living with MS.
Education
B.A., University of Texas at Austin
- Managing Editor, Texas Travesty
- Friar Society
J.D., with honors, University of Texas School of Law
- Editor in Chief, Texas Law Review
Bar Admissions
Texas
Corporate and Securities Matters
- Capital raising transactions of all sizes, ranging from SAFE and convertible note financing to priced equity rounds and underwritten public offerings.
- Formation of private investment funds, including hedge funds, private equity funds, venture funds, real estate funds, and oil and gas funds.
- Structure and compliance issues affecting private fund managers under the Investment Advisers Act and Investment Company Act.
- M&A transactions on behalf of both buyers and sellers across a number of industries, including financial services, technology, manufacturing, aviation and energy.
- Corporate governance matters, including stockholder and LLC agreements, partnership disputes, fiduciary duty issues, and books and records requests.
Recent Engagements
- Represented sponsor in formation of $150M mineral royalty fund.
- Represented Consensus NLP, Inc. in connection with $3 million Series Seed financing.
- Represented Forum Brands, Inc. in connection with $27 million Series A financing.
- Represented Abodu, Inc. in connection with $20 million Series A financing.
- Represented a public mobile advertising solutions provider in its transformative acquisitions of three international mobile advertising companies valued in excess of $1 billion.
- Represented Bridger Logistics in sale of saltwater disposal, crude oil truck transportation, and logistics businesses to Pilot Flying J.
- Represented IOG Capital in connection with regulatory compliance, fund formation, and co- investment negotiation, including $330 million oil and gas investment partnership with funds and accounts managed by Fortress Investment Group.
- Representation of Prophet Equity in connection with the formation, fundraising, and regulatory compliance for its $345 million second fund, Prophet Equity II LP.
- Represented Kalon Biotherapeutics LLCâa joint venture of the State of Texas, acting by and through the Office of the Governor, and The Texas A&M Universityâin its sale of control to FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies USA Inc.
- Represented Air Methods Corporation (NASDAQ:AIRM) in acquisition of San Antonio AirLIFE, a medical transport service owned by Baptist Health System of San Antonio/Tenet Corporation, and Bexar County Hospital District, doing business as University Health System.
- Represented PLx Pharma Inc. in negotiation of merger agreement with Dipexium Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:DPRX).
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Corporate Law, 2019-2023, 2025-2026
- “Best Lawyers in Dallas” List, D Magazine, 2016, 2018, 2022-2024
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2010, 2016-2019
- Community First Award, Parkland Foundation, 2018
- Co-Author, “SEC Adopts Sweeping New Private Fund Adviser Rules,” Jackson Walker Insights (September 2023)
- Author, “Texas Taking the Lead in State Cryptocurrency Enforcement,” Jackson Walker Insights (January 2018)
Meat Fight, Inc.
- Board of Directors
- General Counsel
âThe Best Lawyers in Americaâ Features 350 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2026 Edition, Including 10 âLawyers of the Yearâ and 106 âOnes to Watchâ
The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 350 Jackson Walker attorneys across 87 specialty practice areas in its 2026 edition, including 10 Lawyers of the Year and 106 Ones to Watch.
Attorney News • August 21, 2025
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this yearâs guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
Attorney News • August 15, 2024
Jackson Walker Congratulates 23 Attorneys Named Among 2024 “Best Lawyers in Dallas” List
Jackson Walker congratulates the 23 attorneys recognized among D Magazineâs list of the âBest Lawyers in Dallasâ for 2024. For recognition in the list, Dallas attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer unmatched counsel in one of 40 categories.
Attorney News • April 19, 2024
SEC Adopts Sweeping New Private Fund Adviser Rules
By Michael L. Laussade and Graham McCall
On August 23, 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (âSECâ), by a party-line vote of 3-2, adopted new rules applicable to investment advisers to private funds (âPrivate Fund Advisersâ) that address transparency, conflicts of interest and governance mechanisms (âPFA Rulesâ).
Insights • September 1, 2023
Jackson Walker Congratulates 24 Attorneys Named Among 2023 “Best Lawyers in Dallas” List
Jackson Walker congratulates the 24 attorneys recognized among D Magazineâs list of the âBest Lawyers in Dallasâ for 2023. For recognition in the list, Dallas attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer unmatched counsel in one of 40 categories.
Attorney News • April 25, 2023
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
Attorney News • August 18, 2022
Jackson Walker Congratulates 21 Attorneys Named Among 2022 “Best Lawyers in Dallas” List
Jackson Walker congratulates the 21 attorneys recognized among D Magazineâs list of the âBest Lawyers in Dallasâ for 2022. For recognition in the list, Dallas attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer unmatched counsel in one of 40 categories.
Attorney News • April 25, 2022
DFW Lawyers Fear Proposed SEC Regulations Could Trigger Noncompliance | Dallas Business Journal (Subscription Required)
On January 26, 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed amendments for its Form PF that would increase reporting requirements for hedge funds and private equity funds. In an interview with Dallas Business Journal, Michael Laussade shared insights on how the proposed amendments could make an already-challenging document more difficult for private investment funds.
Mentions • January 26, 2022
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 178 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2022 Edition, Including 8 “Lawyers of the Year” and 31 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 178 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 67 specialty practice areas in its 2022 edition, including 8 Lawyers of the Year and 31 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
Attorney News • August 19, 2021
Business and Legal Issues Around Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies
~7.5 minutes | As potential investors contemplate getting into the blockchain and cryptocurrency market, Michael Laussade discusses the practical and legal implications surrounding these issues, including the potential for fraud and white collar issues.
Podcasts • January 28, 2021
New Year, New Legal Focus: The Impact of Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain Law | The Mid-Market Report
As the chair of Jackson Walker’s Blockchain & Cryptoassets practice, Michael L. Laussade spoke with The Mid-Market Report about how he first got involved in blockchain and how this complex, technical area will impact transactions in the future.
Mentions • January 19, 2021
âThe Best Lawyers in Americaâ Honors 164 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2021 Edition, Including 9 âLawyers of the Yearâ and 25 “Ones to Watch”
Jackson Walker congratulates the 164 attorneys who were selected by their peers as Best Lawyers, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 25 Ones to Watch, across 6 offices and 66 specialty practice areas.
Attorney News • August 20, 2020
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 109 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2020 Edition, With Eight Named “Lawyers of the Year”
Jackson Walker congratulates our 109 attorneys named to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Lawyers in America 2020 list, including eight attorneys who were named “Lawyers of the Year.”
Attorney News • August 14, 2019
Jonathan Neerman and Mike Laussade Present Regulatory Challenges for Broker-Dealers and Investment Advisers During Compliance Workshop
As compliance officers and in-house counsel for both broker-dealers and investment advisers attempt to navigate todayâs tough regulatory challenges, Jackson Walker partnered with the ACA Compliance Group to host a complimentary workshop discussing topics relevant to both groups.
Speaking Engagements • July 30, 2019
Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 98 Jackson Walker Attorneys
Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas. For over three decades, recognition in Best Lawyers has been regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor, since an attorney cannot pay to be listed.
Attorney News • August 16, 2018
‘D Magazine’ Lists 33 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among Best Lawyers in Dallas
Thirty-three Jackson Walker attorneys were recognized in the âBest Lawyers in Dallas 2018â list by D Magazine, one of the premier publications in the city of Dallas. To be recognized in the list, attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer unmatched counsel in one of 34 categories.
Attorney News • July 10, 2018
Texas Taking the Lead in State Cryptocurrency Enforcement
While the SEC has worked over the last several months to provide meaningful guidance around the offer and sale of digital tokens, state securities regulators have now begun to take action, with Texas leading the way.
Insights • January 8, 2018
Practice Experience
Corporate and Securities Matters
- Capital raising transactions of all sizes, ranging from SAFE and convertible note financing to priced equity rounds and underwritten public offerings.
- Formation of private investment funds, including hedge funds, private equity funds, venture funds, real estate funds, and oil and gas funds.
- Structure and compliance issues affecting private fund managers under the Investment Advisers Act and Investment Company Act.
- M&A transactions on behalf of both buyers and sellers across a number of industries, including financial services, technology, manufacturing, aviation and energy.
- Corporate governance matters, including stockholder and LLC agreements, partnership disputes, fiduciary duty issues, and books and records requests.
Recent Engagements
- Represented sponsor in formation of $150M mineral royalty fund.
- Represented Consensus NLP, Inc. in connection with $3 million Series Seed financing.
- Represented Forum Brands, Inc. in connection with $27 million Series A financing.
- Represented Abodu, Inc. in connection with $20 million Series A financing.
- Represented a public mobile advertising solutions provider in its transformative acquisitions of three international mobile advertising companies valued in excess of $1 billion.
- Represented Bridger Logistics in sale of saltwater disposal, crude oil truck transportation, and logistics businesses to Pilot Flying J.
- Represented IOG Capital in connection with regulatory compliance, fund formation, and co- investment negotiation, including $330 million oil and gas investment partnership with funds and accounts managed by Fortress Investment Group.
- Representation of Prophet Equity in connection with the formation, fundraising, and regulatory compliance for its $345 million second fund, Prophet Equity II LP.
- Represented Kalon Biotherapeutics LLCâa joint venture of the State of Texas, acting by and through the Office of the Governor, and The Texas A&M Universityâin its sale of control to FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies USA Inc.
- Represented Air Methods Corporation (NASDAQ:AIRM) in acquisition of San Antonio AirLIFE, a medical transport service owned by Baptist Health System of San Antonio/Tenet Corporation, and Bexar County Hospital District, doing business as University Health System.
- Represented PLx Pharma Inc. in negotiation of merger agreement with Dipexium Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:DPRX).
Recognition & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Corporate Law, 2019-2023, 2025-2026
- “Best Lawyers in Dallas” List, D Magazine, 2016, 2018, 2022-2024
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2010, 2016-2019
- Community First Award, Parkland Foundation, 2018
Publications & Speeches
- Co-Author, “SEC Adopts Sweeping New Private Fund Adviser Rules,” Jackson Walker Insights (September 2023)
- Author, “Texas Taking the Lead in State Cryptocurrency Enforcement,” Jackson Walker Insights (January 2018)
Community Involvement
Meat Fight, Inc.
- Board of Directors
- General Counsel