Stephen R. Boatwright
Shareholder

(602) 530-8301steve.boatwright@gknet.com

Steve handles public and private business mergers and acquisitions for buyers and sellers of businesses of all kinds and advises companies in raising private equity and public financing. Whether seeking initial funding, expanding the business through follow on funding or acquisition, or pursuing an exit strategy through an asset/stock sale or public offering, Steve’s clients rely on his practical judgment and seasoned know-how gained over three decades to realize even their most lofty goals in all phases of financing, growth, and sale.

Stephen R. Boatwright

Ranked among the best transactional attorneys, Steve has negotiated and documented over several billion dollars in financing and mergers and acquisitions. He has prepared registration statements (both IPO and secondary) and securities regulatory compliance documents for over 20 public companies on the NYSE American (formerly AMEX), NASDAQ, and the OTCBB. Throughout his long and successful tenure in securities law, Steve has developed unique expertise in “shell” reverse merger transactions. Additionally, he has prepared numerous private placement memoranda for technology, biotechnology, bio-agriculture, software, life science, medical device, manufacturing, internet, restaurant, social media, hospitality, and real estate companies.

For entrepreneurs creating their start-ups, Steve is often retained throughout the life cycle of the business, from drafting organizational documents such as shareholder or operating/partnership agreements, to the right contracts, licenses, and agreements to make acquisitions, raise capital, and comply with securities laws. Steve is a proven advisor to business owners and shareholders seeking to acquire other companies, sell, or go public.

In addition to his work with operating companies, Steve also represents angel investors, investment bankers, and private equity, venture capital, and venture leasing funds, as well as advises and documents fund structures and acquisitions of substantial positions in emerging growth companies.

In July 2024, Steve was elected to serve on the firm's Board of Directors. As the sixth board member, Steve brings a wealth of fresh ideas and valuable insights from his extensive experience advising corporate boards.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

Mergers & Acquisitions

Steve has handled some of Arizona’s largest M&A deals, closing well over $1 Billion in the last two years alone. His M&A experience includes:

Securities

Steve has advised over 20 companies in their public offerings. His securities experience includes:

Capital Raising

Steve’s experience advising business owners and capital raisers and funders includes:

  • Represented a venture leasing firm in drafting its partnership agreements and capital raising documents.
  • Prepared international distribution agreements for U.S. companies doing business in Europe, China, India, and Russia.

ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

  • State Bar of Arizona, Securities Division, Member
  • Arizona Business Council, Co-Founder
  • Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors (AM&AA), Board Member
  • AIVN (Artificial Intelligence Venture Network), Board of Directors
  • Cawley Architects, Board of Directors, Appointed December 2024
  • The Knights of the Round Table, Board Member

HONORS & AWARDS

  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
  • Best Lawyers in America®, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), 2022-2026; Corporate Law, 2024-2026; Securities Regulation, 2024-2026
  • Arizona Business Magazine, Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, 2024
  • Phoenix Magazine, Top Lawyer, Securities Law, 2023-2025
  • Up and Comers, Arizona Business Magazine, 2004
  • Best Securities Attorney in Arizona, Phoenix Business Journal, 2003

News

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Publications

  • Financing Businesses Internationally, The Guide to Doing Business Internationally - 2000
  • Issues for Foreign Persons to Consider When Acquiring United States Closely-Held Businesses, Lawyering in the International Market - 1999
  • A Nuts and Bolts Approach to Assist General Counsel in Completing the Proxy Statement in Light of the Amended Executive Compensation Rules, N.M. Bus. Lawyer, Vol. 1, No. 2 (1995)
  • Reversing the Expansive Trend of Extraterritorial Subject Matter Jurisdiction Over Bad Conduct Under Rule 10b-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Tex. Int’l L.J., Vol. 23:3, 487 (1988)

Events

Jorge Quintero, QCM Technologies, Inc. review icon
Jorge Quintero, QCM Technologies, Inc.
Best Law Firms® Client Comment
Steve Boatwright is a great M&A attorney and his associated team did a great job with our sale of the business. The main reason we went with G&K was Steve Boatwright.
Chris Nay, Revolution Industrial review icon
Chris Nay, Revolution Industrial
Best Law Firms® Client Comment
The Gallagher & Kennedy firm handled things professionally and efficiently. I felt very well represented throughout the process. The team assigned to me did their best to make themselves available outside of scheduled meetings. Overall a great experience.