About
Derek Gartee counsels emerging growth companies at Cozen O'Connor on corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions, and venture capital financings. As an associate in New York, he reviews, drafts, and negotiates preferred stock agreements, SAFEs, and certificates of incorporation. He prepares capitalization tables, stock option plans, and pro forma models. He forms new entities, ties out capitalization tables, and coordinates due diligence for financings and acquisitions. He earned a J.D., cum laude, from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where he interned at the Tech Startup Clinic, and a B.A. from Michigan State University's James Madison College. Before Cozen O'Connor, he represented venture capital firms and technology companies at a Silicon Valley firm, and earlier he represented financial sponsors in acquisitions and the financings that funded them.
Who is a good fit for Derek Gartee
- Emerging growth companies raising venture capital through preferred stock or SAFEs.
- Companies in a merger or an acquisition that need due diligence and capitalization table work.
Education and admissions
- Education
- Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University, J.D., 2019
- Michigan State University, B.A., 2016
- Bar admissions
- New York
Recognition
- New York Metro Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2025 - 2026
Specialties
Representative matters
As described on the firm’s website.
- Represented a national automation company in the food and beverage industry in its senior credit facility.
- Represented the innovation, commercialization, and venture capital arm of a major health provider and insurer in three seed and growth stage investments.
- Represented an emerging-growth venture capital fund in its investment in a company offering enterprise solutions in fiduciary management.
- Represented a national emerging growth PropTech venture capital fund in 35 seed and growth stage investments.
- Represented a mobile device, charging, and security company in connection with a senior secured loan facility.
Deal profile
- Typical deal size
- Any deal size
- Remote work
- In-person / regional