Donna Brooks represents emerging growth companies, other private companies, public companies and various financing sources, particularly venture capital and mezzanine funds. With over 20 years of experience, she helps companies by providing practical advice on a breadth of issues, including raising capital, private and public offerings of securities, equity compensation, corporate governance, business operations, and mergers and acquisitions. Donna assists companies with both federal and state securities laws compliance and with the preparation and filing of SEC periodic reports, registration statements, Section 16 stock ownership reports and proxy materials.

Donna has participated in numerous financing transactions, many involving governmental or quasi-governmental lenders including the Connecticut Development Authority, Connecticut Innovations Incorporated and Technology Investment Fund. Through her representation of venture capital and mezzanine funds, Donna has been involved in highly complex transactions, requiring an appreciation of the issues of holders of senior debt, mezzanine debt, and seller debt, as well as equity sponsors and venture capitalists, and she is experienced in successfully negotiating, documenting and closing these multi-tiered transactions. She is often called to write about and speak on securities law and venture finance matters.

Donna also uses her mix of financing and contracting skills to assist clients that are pursuing cost-saving strategies with respect to their energy consumption. As a member of the firm�s energy practice, Donna negotiates and documents the financing to install clients� energy infrastructure upgrades, such as fuel cells and other distributed generation technology and cost-saving equipment. Donna is also able to assist entrepreneurs that have developed innovative alternative energy technologies with their organizational, business and financing needs, as well as private equity funds interested in investing in the energy sector.

EDUCATION

University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 1985

College of William and Mary, B.A., 1982, Phi Beta Kappa

Bar Admissions

Connecticut

Distinctions

BV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Appointed Member, Securities Advisory Council and Hedge Fund Subcommittee, Connecticut Department of Banking

Past Appointed Member, Business Advisory Committee, Connecticut Secretary of the State

Professional Affiliations

Connecticut Venture Group, Hartford Chapter

Crossroads Venture Fair: Mentor, Start-up Companies

Alliance for Connecticut Technology - Technology Summit

Fuel Cell Summit: Moderator

American Bar Association

Connecticut Bar Association

Hartford County Bar Association.