Overview
David Parsigian is a nationally known venture capital and mergers and acquisitions lawyer with deep capabilities and broad experience in corporate, securities, and finance law. He places particular emphasis on representation of strategic investors in their minority investments in technology-based companies both domestically abroad, as well as mergers and acquisitions involving venture-backed companies.
- Represents corporations and institutional venture and private equity firms in their high-technology and growth-equity investment activities, including:
- Arboretum Ventures
- General Motors Ventures
- Magna International
- Masco Corporation
- Venture Michigan Fund
Services
Practice Areas
Industries
Experience
Representative Matters
Venture Financing Transactions
David has been the lead counsel for over $3 billion in venture- and growth-stage equity and debt financings, representing companies and investors across a wide range of industries. He is particularly accomplished in representing strategic investors in making minority investments and in structuring the commercial arrangements that often accompany these types of investments.
- Served as lead counsel for institutional investors and as company counsel for more than 100 venture financings, ranging from Series A to Series E for companies in the areas of:
- autonomous vehicles and mobility related technologies
- information technology
- advanced manufacturing and materials
- medical devices
- drug therapies
- healthcare delivery
- Represented Venture Michigan Fund in its $200 and $250 million structured debt financings
Mergers and Acquisitions
- Served as lead counsel in more than 30 dispositions of technology-based and other companies on both the buy and sell sides
- Adaptive Materials, Inc. (in its sale to Ultra Electronics)
- Afmedica, Inc. (in its sale to Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
- Altarum Institute (in its sale of NewVectors Holdings and its acquisitions of KAI Research, Inc., and Palladian Partners)
- American International Airways, Inc. (in its sale to Kitty Hawk, Inc.)
- Applimation, Inc. (in its acquisitions of Tickmark Solutions, Inc., and Gamma Enterprise Technologies and in its $40 million sale to Informatica, Inc.)
- Cielo MedSolutions, LLC (in its sale to The Advisory Board)
- ForeSee Results, Inc. (in its sale to Answers Corporation)
- MedHub, Inc. (in its sale to Ascend Learning)
- Merchant Internet Group, Inc. (in its sale to Netlink Corporation)
- NSF International (in its acquisitions of Quality Assurance International, Davis Fresh Technologies, Surefish, Pharmalytica Services, and Becker Venture Services Group)
- Neural Intervention Technologies, Inc. (in its sale to W.L. Gore & Associates)
- NeuroNexus Technologies, Inc. (in its sale to Greatbatch, Inc.)
- Optiant, Inc. (in its sale to WebMD, Inc.)
- Rubicon Genomics, Inc. (in its sale to Takara Bio)
- Picometrix, Inc. (in its sale to Advanced Photonix, Inc.)
- T/J Technologies, Inc. (in its sale to A123 Systems, Inc.)
- Xoran Technologies, Inc. (in the sale of its dental division)
Prior Experience
- Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C., Senior Partner, 1993-2006; Associate, 1984-1992 (Deputy Leader, Corporate and Securities and Leader, High-technology Ventures Group)
- Exxon Chemical Company, Engineer, 1980-1982
Academic Appointments
- University of Michigan Law School, Zell Entrepreneurship and Law Program, Former Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor
- University of Michigan Ross School of Business, Venture Capital Finance, Lecturer
- Michigan State University Broad College of Business, Venture Capital Finance, Lecturer
- Wayne State University Business School, Venture Capital Finance, Lecturer
Credentials
Education
University of Texas at Austin School of Law, J.D.
- with honors
University of Michigan, B.S.M.E.
- Mechanical Engineering
- magna cum laude; Tau Beta Pi (National Engineering Honor Society)
Admissions
- Michigan
Recognition
Awards
- Listed in Chambers USA, 2006-2024
- Recognized in Corporate/M&A; Chambers USA states:
- "David is a preeminent lawyer in the venture capital space."
- "David Parsigian leads the venture capital team and is experienced in acquisitions, venture capital finance, joint ventures and IPOs." One client adds, "He is a very well-known lawyer in the state and one of the go to guys in the state."
- "David Parsigian’s has notable expertise in advising clients in the technology sector through mergers, acquisitions and financing matters. Peers are particularly impressed by his private equity work and praise his work in that space."
- "David Parsigian's broad practice encompasses advising on mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, financing and securities, with notable experience in the technology sector. He is described by a source as 'an outstanding guy who stays well versed in the latest trends, which helps us put forward transactions with a higher level of success.'"
- "[David] has wide-ranging expertise in matters of corporate, financial and securities law. Sources highlight his strong track record in representing technology investors in acquisitions, IPOs and joint ventures. Commentators also describe him as a 'very practical lawyer' who is 'knowledgeable' and 'represents clients well.'"
- "David Parsigian is highly commended by sources for his strategic and practical approach to cases. His practice encompasses a broad range of corporate matters, including public offerings, joint ventures and M&A transactions."
- "The 'very talented' and 'incredibly smart' David Parsigian is a noted expert in venture capital work and enjoys a fine track record acting on behalf of emerging technology companies."
- "[David] is praised for his experience and attention to detail, particularly in the field of venture capital. His practice has a particular emphasis on representing emerging technologies companies with transactional matters."
- "Clients report that 'he is great to work with and very diligent.'"
- "David Parsigian is a highly respected attorney who is noted for his expertise in private equity and venture capital matters. He is particularly active in the IT and life sciences industries."
- Recognized in Corporate/M&A; Chambers USA states:
- Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Investment and Commercialization Success Award
- The Best Lawyers in America, 2007-2025
- Recognized in practice areas of:
- Corporate Law
- Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Securities / Capital Markets Law
- Venture Capital Law
- Ann Arbor Corporate Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2022
- Ann Arbor Mergers and Acquisitions "Lawyer of the Year," 2013, 2016, and 2018
- Michigan Super Lawyers, 2008-2024
- Recognized as one of the:
- Top 100 Super Lawyers, 2009 and 2014-2016
- Top 50 Business Super Lawyers, 2014-2015
- Recognized as one of the:
- Law Bulletin Media
- Leading Lawyers, Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Law, 2017, 2023-2024
- Leading Lawyers, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 2017, 2023-2024
- Leading Lawyers, Publicly Held Corporations Law, 2017, 2023-2024
- Leading Lawyers, Securities & Venture Finance Law, 2017, 2023-2024
- DBusiness, Top Lawyers, 2013-2015
- Michigan Venture Capital Association's “Above and Beyond” Award
- Two-time recipient
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
Professional & Community Involvement
- American Bar Association
- Negotiated Acquisitions and Venture Capital and Private Equity Committees
- State Bar of Michigan
- Ann Arbor SPARK (the economic development organization focused on establishing the Ann Arbor region as a destination for business expansion, retention and relocation)
- Immediate Past Board Chair
- Executive Committee Member
- University Musical Society
- Former Treasurer
- Former Board Member
- Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce
- Former Chairman of the Board, 2006
- Great Lakes Entrepreneurs Quest (a business plan competition for the State of Michigan)
- Founder
- Former Executive Committee Member
- Nonprofit Enterprise at Work (business support for nonprofit organizations)
- Former Board Member
- Washtenaw Community College Foundation
- Former Board Chair, 2002-2004
News & Insights
News
Press Releases
Events
From Chambers USA:
"The 'very talented' and 'incredibly smart' David Parsigian is a noted expert in venture capital work and enjoys a fine track record acting on behalf of emerging technology companies."