Andrew Smetana, an experienced attorney with venture capital, finance, mergers and acquisitions and corporate law and governance capabilities, has joined Vinson & Elkins as counsel in Austin.
Smetana joins V&E from Vapor IO, Inc., a technology start-up providing hardware and software solutions to data centers, where he was general counsel and secretary. Prior to that, he advised technology and growth companies in Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati’s Austin office, where he worked closely with V&E partner Paul Tobias. Tobias joined V&E from Wilson Sonsini in August 2016.
“Andy is an outstanding technical lawyer with experience in a broad range of transactions in the technology sector,” said Matt Strock, co-head of V&E’s Mergers and Acquisitions and Capital Markets group. “He is a great addition to our growing technology practice and we are excited to welcome him as the newest member of our team.”
As general counsel and secretary of Vapor IO, Smetana advised the company through the formative stages of its founding, including negotiating and drafting financing documents for Series A and bridge financings, counseling executives and the board of directors with regard to various aspects of the business, coordinating with outside counsel and establishing and negotiating terms for manufacturer and reseller relationships.
While at Wilson Sonsini, Smetana acted as either company or investors’ counsel in more than 50 venture capital financings for emerging growth companies, represented selling and acquiring parties and major stockholders in more than 25 M&A transactions and advised issuers and underwriters in initial public offerings and follow-on offerings.
“V&E’s technology practice has a reputation for consistently providing the highest level of client service in a constantly changing industry,” Smetana said. “I am thrilled to join such an accomplished team and look forward to playing a role in its continued growth.”
V&E’s technology team works closely with innovative technology companies as well as many of the most active venture funds, private equity firms and investment banks fueling today’s innovations. The firm’s client roster reflects the diversity of the technology industry, from emerging companies to established, proven leaders in nearly every segment of technology, including software, hardware, Internet, semiconductors, clean energy, digital media and entertainment, biotechnology, life sciences, medical devices, pharmaceuticals and telecommunications.
Celebrating its 100th year, Vinson & Elkins LLP is an international law firm with approximately 700 lawyers across 16 offices worldwide. For more information, please contact Melissa Anderson at +1.713.758.2030.
