Overview
Nathan Howze is a business attorney focusing on venture capital and private equity financings, emerging companies, mergers and acquisitions, and cannabis businesses. He serves as trusted outside counsel to clients in a diverse range of industries, including technology, food and beverage, cannabis, life sciences, airport concessions, and real estate.
Nathan frequently advises venture capital funds, family offices, sponsors, entrepreneurs, and emerging companies in connection with their investments, equity raises, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, recapitalizations, business contracts, and other general corporate matters. He has helped to form, finance, and buy and sell hundreds of established and emerging businesses. Nathan also advises cannabis businesses and investors on regulatory compliance matters and applications for coveted cannabis licenses.
Services
Practice Areas
Industries
Experience
Representative Matters
Represented $500,000,000 venture capital fund in equity and convertible debt financings in domestic and international portfolio companies.
Represented $70,000,000 venture capital fund in equity and convertible debt financings in Black, Latinx, and Women owned companies located in Chicago's South and West side neighborhoods.
Represented lead investors in $137,000,000 financing of an innovative plastic-free and sustainable packaging company.
Represented lead investor in $81,000,000 Series B financing of a hospitality robotics and artificial intelligence solutions company.
Represented major investor in a $60,000,000 Series B financing of a New Zealand-based technology company.
Represented lead investor in a $45,000,000 Series B financing of an Ireland-based biotechnology company.
Represented family-owned company in $21,000,000 sale of its restaurant equipment and services business.
Represented buyer in $15,000,000 acquisition of cigar bar and liquor distiller.
Represented applicants in successfully obtaining cannabis dispensary and infuser licenses in the highly competitive Chicagoland area.
Prior Experience
- Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP, Partner
Credentials
Education
Admissions
- Illinois
Recognition
Awards
Cook County Bar Association, Next Generation Award, 2024
Law Bulletin Media
- Emerging Lawyers, Cannabis Law, 2024
- Emerging Lawyers, Closely & Privately Held Business Law, 2024
- Emerging Lawyers, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 2024
- Emerging Lawyers, Securities & Venture Finance Law, 2024
National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 in Illinois, 2022
The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, 2022-2025
- Recognized in the practice area of Corporate Law
Illinois Super Lawyers, Recognized as a Rising Star, 2024-2025
Law Bulletin Media
- Emerging Lawyers, Cannabis Law, 2021-2023
- Emerging Lawyers, Closely & Privacy Held Business Law, 2021-2023
- Emerging Lawyers, Mergers & Acquisitions, 2021-2023
- Emerging Lawyers, Securities & Venture Finance Law, 2021-2023
Professional & Community Involvement
American Bar Association
- Business Law Section
- Cannabis Law & Policy Committee, Vice Chair (2019)
- Private Equity & Venture Capital
Chicago Bar Association
- Business Law Committee
J. Reuben Clark Law Society Chicago Chapter, Board of Directors
HFS Young Professionals, Board Scholars