Joanne R. Soslow counsels public companies, emerging growth businesses, and corporate venture capital groups on corporate and securities matters. Co-leader of the capital markets and public companies practice and former deputy leader of the firm’s global corporate practice, Joanne advises clients primarily in the energy, biotechnology, financial services, technology, medical device, specialty pharmaceutical industries. In her transactional practice, Joanne guides companies in their complex public and private equity and debt securities activities, venture capital initiatives, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
Counseling clients in every phase of their growth cycles, Joanne advises on startup strategies, initial public offerings, change-of-control transactions, exit strategies, and corporate governance matters along the way. She often serves as the primary outside counselor to many of her clients, advising them on securities matters, M&A transactions, corporate governance matters, board of director and fiduciary duty issues, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, and other legal needs. She frequently speaks at client and industry events on such topics as security industry trends and US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) initiatives.
Former chair of the firm's Global Steering Committee for Morgan Lewis Women, a founding member of the firm's Diversity Committee, and a former member of the firm's Advisory Board, Joanne mentors and supports women lawyers.In keeping with Morgan Lewis's commitment to pro bono work and community service, she is also a member of the Forum of Executive Women and the Trustee's Council of Penn Women.
Capital Markets Representations
Corporate and Emerging Growth Representations
M&A Transactions
Member, Capital Markets Editorial Advisory Board, Law360 (2020)
Highly Regarded; Women Leaders IFLR1000 Financial and Corporate (2023)
Highly Regarded, IFLR1000 Financial and Corporate (2019–2022)
Highly Regarded, IFLR1000 United States (2018, 2019)
Band 1, Corporate/M&A: Securities, Pennsylvania, Chambers USA (2015–2024)
Ranked, Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business (2012–2014)
Recognized, IFLR1000 Women Leaders (2018–2022)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year, Securities/Capital Markets Law, Philadelphia (2017, 2025)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year, Securities Regulation, Philadelphia (2020)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law, Philadelphia (2007–2020, 2022–2025)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Securities/Capital Markets Law, Philadelphia (2007–2020, 2022–2025)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Securities Regulation, Philadelphia (2007–2020, 2022–2025)
Listed, Top Woman Lawyer, The Best Lawyers in America (2016, 2017)
Recommended, The Legal 500 US (2012–2017)
Recommended, Finance: Capital markets: debt offerings, The Legal 500 US (2023, 2024)
Recommended, Finance: Capital markets: debt offerings - advice to issuers, The Legal 500 US (2018, 2019)
Recommended, Finance: Capital markets: equity offerings, The Legal 500 US (2018–2024)
Recommended, M&A/corporate and commercial: Venture capital and emerging companies, The Legal 500 US (2018, 2019)
Recognized, The Nation’s Top 10 Securities Lawyers, United States Lawyer Rankings (2015)
Women of Distinction, Philadelphia Business Journal (2014)
Women of the Year, The Legal Intelligencer and Pennsylvania Law Weekly (2008)
Appointed to the Advisory Committee for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Corporation Bureau
Member, American Bar Association
Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association