Foley & Lardner LLP is pleased to announce that Jeffrey “Jeff” Steele has joined the firm as a partner in the Transactions Practice Group in Salt Lake City. Steele is the latest addition in a long string of recent hires in the firm’s Salt Lake City office, with 14 new attorneys added just this year. Prior to joining Foley, Steele was a partner in the Salt Lake City office of a Holland & Hart LLP. 

Steele, with three decades of experience, represents emerging growth technology companies in mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and angel financings, commercial contracts, including strategic partnerships, and other collaborative arrangements and licensing, as well as company formation and general corporate counseling. He also regularly represents venture capital funds and angel groups in their portfolio investments.

“Jeff is an exceptionally talented lawyer, and we are excited to welcome him to Foley. He brings significant experience in the complex field of emerging technology that complements and further enhances our strong corporate platform,” said Christopher Cain, co-chair of the firm’s Transactions Practice Group. “Jeff has developed a reputation as a go-to advisor for companies across the country, and his skill set will be immensely valuable to our clients.”

Steele is very active in the start-ups and emerging companies, seed and venture capital finance, and mergers and acquisitions areas. He regularly serves as a speaker, presenter, teacher and panelist for a broad range of organizations, including universities and associations.

“Jeff is a great addition to our expanding office and capabilities. He brings additional corporate strength to the team and will help us continue to build our ability to provide holistic services to our clients,” said David Wright, managing partner of the firm’s Salt Lake City office. “We are well equipped to meet and help accelerate the rapid growth and innovation taking place in this region as a result.”

Steele was named to the Utah Legal Elite, Mergers and Acquisitions, by Utah Business Magazine in 2018 and 2020-2021.

“The traction and footprint that Foley has made in Salt Lake City in less than one year cannot be ignored,” said Steele. “I’m thrilled to be joining such a collaborative and forward-thinking team who understands nuanced client needs and seeks to provide creative solutions. It is a wonderful opportunity to pursue new challenges and help build upon Foley’s already strong capabilities.”

Steele earned a JD from Cornell Law School, an AM from Brown University, and a BA, magna cum laude, from the University of Colorado at Boulder.