Roger C. Rappoport, Partner at our Palo Alto, and San Diego law offices
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Roger C. Rappoport

Partner
Biography

Roger Rappoport is co-chair of Snell & Wilmer’s Emerging Growth and Venture Capital Industry Group. He is a seasoned advisor to startups and emerging growth companies and the investors who finance them, guiding clients from inception through exit. With over two decades of experience in the startup ecosystem, Roger focuses on venture capital and angel investor financings, including convertible notes, SAFEs, and other debt financings. His knowledge extends to mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, distribution, development, manufacturing, and licensing transactions, as well as executive compensation and the establishment of equity incentive plans. Roger is also co-chair of Snell & Wilmer’s Emerging Growth and Venture Capital Industry Group.

Roger has experience navigating numerous companies from formation to IPO and beyond, developing proactive strategies to help maximize shareholder value and steering clients through critical legal and business events. He serves a diverse array of industries, including software (B2B, B2C, and B2B2C), artificial intelligence, hardware, robotics, mobility, communications, internet, renewable energy, medical devices, med-tech, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. His experience as an entrepreneur for 10 years, before becoming a lawyer, provides him a unique and comprehensive understanding of both the legal and business challenges faced by startups and makes him an invaluable advisor for innovative companies aiming to achieve their full potential.

 

 

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • California


Education

  • Harvard University (LL.M)
  • The University of Cape Town (J.D.)
  • The University of Cape Town (B.A., Political Science)
Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • Advisor of the Year, BNY Mellon M&A (2017)

Previous Professional Experience

  • Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves, & Savitch LLP, Partner (2004-2024)

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • American Bar Association
  • San Diego Software Industry Council
  • San Diego Venture Group
  • The State Bar of California

Community Involvement

  • Connect San Diego
    • Steering Committee
  • EvoNexus (formerly CommNexus)
    • Capital Formation Committee
  • Biocom California
    • Capital Formation Committee

Representative Presentations and Publications

  • “Venture Capital Panel: What’s Hot, What’s Not!”, Moderator, Palo Alto, CA (March 19, 2025)
  • “Startup Fundamentals Part 3: Understanding the ‘Terms’ in Term Sheets”, Speaker, San Diego, CA (January 22, 2025)
  • “Startup Fundamentals Part 2: Developing a Funding Strategy”, Speaker, San Diego, CA (December 12, 2024)
  • “Startup Fundamentals Part 1: Start Right, Avoid Common Mistakes & Pitfalls”, Speaker, San Diego, CA (November 15, 2024)
  • “Setting up Startups for Success,” Panelist, Procopio International Tax Institute, San Diego, CA (May 25, 2023)