Michelle Knoop, a partner in Goodwin's Technology and Life Sciences groups, specializes in all areas of corporate and securities laws, with a primary focus on advising emerging-growth technology companies. Michelle joined Goodwin in 2014. She serves as a member of the hiring committee for Goodwin’s Silicon Valley office and as the co-chair of the women’s initiative of Goodwin’s Silicon Valley office.
Prior to joining Goodwin, Michelle served as a law clerk for the Honorable Carlos Bea of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Experience
Michelle’s representation of companies spans the entire corporate life-cycle, including pre-incorporation planning, general corporate representation and counseling, venture capital financings, secondary sales and private liquidity programs, public offerings, corporate governance, public company representation and mergers and acquisitions. Michelle also works with venture capitalists in private stock offerings.
Michelle is also involved in pro bono matters, serving as a team leader in Goodwin’s Neighborhood Business Initiative, and has been a guest presenter at the University of Missouri’s Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic.
Michelle is also a contributor to Goodwin’s Founders Workbench, an online resource for start-ups, emerging companies, and the entrepreneurial community.
Representative Matters
- Has represented private companies and venture capital firms in over $6 billion worth of venture capital and strategic financings and tender offers.
- Represents numerous private companies
- Represents venture capital firms such as Accel Partners, Bond Capital, DCM, Greylock Partners, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Ribbit Capital, and Silicon Valley Bank.
- Eventbrite, Inc. in its initial public offering
- The underwriters in the initial public offering of Snap Inc.
- Amplify Snack Brands in its initial public offering and follow-on public offering
- The underwriters in the initial public offering and follow-on public offering of Talend, Inc.
- The underwriters in the initial public offering of Penumbra, Inc.
- Amplify Snack Brands in its acquisition of UK snack maker Tyrrells
Credentials
Education
JD2013
University of Missouri School of Law
BSBA2013
University of Missouri
Clerkships
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Honorable Carlos Bea
Admissions
Bars
- California
- Missouri
Recognition & Awards
In 2024, Michelle was recognized by Chambers USA as Up and Coming for her work in Startups and Emerging Companies nationwide.
While attending law school, Michelle was the senior lead articles editor on the Missouri Law Review.