About
Denise Rizo-Patron advises buyers and sellers on mergers and acquisitions as a Senior Attorney at Vela Wood. She focuses her practice on emerging companies, growth-stage investments, and corporate governance. She also handles fund operations. She advises those companies on venture financings. Before she rejoined Vela Wood, Denise served as Associate General Counsel at 8VC in Austin. She led venture capital investments from seed to late-stage growth. She coordinated deal execution with investment professionals and outside counsel. Denise previously practiced as a Senior Associate at Vela Wood. At DLA Piper she represented public and private companies in mergers and acquisitions.
Who is a good fit for Denise Rizo-Patron
- Buyers acquiring a growth-stage company who need legal due diligence on the deal.
- Sellers of emerging companies who need an attorney on the sale.
Education and admissions
- Education
- The University of Texas School of Law, J.D.
- The University of Texas, B.B.A. in Business Honors and Supply Chain Management
- Bucerius Law School Hamburg Germany
- Bar admissions
- Texas
Specialties
Buy-side M&A representationSell-side M&A representationEntity formation and holding structuresLegal due diligence
Deal profile
- Typical deal size
- Any deal size
- Remote work
- In-person / regional
Frequently Asked Questions
Denise Rizo-Patron oversaw legal and regulatory due diligence as Associate General Counsel at 8VC. She negotiated and structured complex financing transactions in that role. She includes legal due diligence in her practice at Vela Wood.
At DLA Piper, Denise Rizo-Patron handled SEC reporting matters for public and private companies. At 8VC she managed securities and regulatory compliance, including SEC-related obligations. She also handled public portfolio company considerations at the fund.