Peter Cifichiello is a dynamic business lawyer specializing in corporate transactions. He advises clients on mergers and acquisitions, equity and convertible note financings for startup and emerging growth companies, corporate structuring and outside general counsel matters including governance. Peter is also well versed in commercial transactions that involve vendor and consumer services, licensing, shareholder rights, and executive employment. His clients are comprised of small and mid-cap companies, professional service providers, investment entities and financial institutions.
Working closely with clients, Peter manages deals from beginning to end. Many clients also call upon him to provide outside general counsel services both before and after transactions. Peter’s deep understanding of a client’s businesses, respective risk tolerance and the legal issues most relevant to them is invaluable. Peter’s hands-on approach enables him to help companies seamlessly adapt to rapidly changing markets. Peter applies an execution-oriented approach to the practice of law that facilitates the efficient management of the clients’ growth, corporate structures, intellectual property, and financial discipline.
Before Bowditch
Peter served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy aboard the USS Denver (LPD-9), deploying twice in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. During his service, Peter attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander and was awarded two Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medals and a Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Besides work
Peter enjoys many hobbies including skiing, golf, playing guitar and cooking delicious meals with his wife Lynn and daughter Eva.
Affiliations
- Member, American Legion
- Member, Fordham University Alumni Association
- Member, Tulane Alumni Association
- Member, Chaminade Lawyers’ Association
Honors
- New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars list 2018 and 2019
Articles + Talks
Articles
- “Handle Earnout Transactions with Care,” Mergers & Acquisitions magazine, 2024
- “Top Considerations When Preparing to Sell a Company,” Bowditch, 2024
- “Licensed to Thrive: A Due Diligence Roadmap for Would-Be Software Licensors,” IPWatchdog, 2018
- “New York’s Push for Legalized Cannabis: We’ve Heard This Story Before,” Cannabis Industry Journal, 2020
- “Celebrity Endorsements and Cryptocurrency—A Cautionary Tale,” Bloomberg Law, 2019
Talks
- The Best and Worse of Your Board Relationships, Neptune Advisors’ Pathway to Platinum Conference, 2024 (Moderator)
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New York
Education
- J.D., Fordham University School of Law
- B.A., Tulane University
Mergers & Acquisitions
Represent buyers and sellers in transactions ranging from $5M to $100M, including:
- Sale of an industrial supply company to a private equity sponsor
- Acquisition of an agricultural technology company by private equity sponsor
- Sale of a crowdfunding platform company to a healthcare advisory firm
- Sale of a jet engine components business, to a privately-held aerospace engine component manufacturing company
- Sale of a multiple location medical practice
- Acquisition of a marine coatings distributor by a group of entrepreneurs
- Acquisition of a call center for a clean energy installation company
- Sale of a shipping outsource firm to a trucking company
- Acquisition of a drop shipping business by an online retail platform
General Corporate
Represent private companies, technology firms, life sciences firms and consumer products companies in general corporate matters, including:
- Entity formation (LLC and Corporations) and drafting of core governing documents including operating agreements and bylaws
- Advice on general corporate matters including corporate governance issues, board matters, shareholder rights and equity incentive plans
- Reviewing, negotiating and drafting a broad range of commercial contracts, including:
- Non-disclosure agreements
- Customized master services agreements for clients in various industries, including software technology companies
- Independent contractor agreements
- Licensing and subscription agreements
- Terms of use and privacy policies for websites and mobile applications
- Reinstatement and dissolution of entities
Specific highlights include:
- Terms and conditions for an online publication platform
- Purchase and installation agreements for a clean energy company
- End user agreements for SaaS based companies
- Terms and conditions for an online retail platform in licensing of intellectual property for customization and use in a Fintech platform to be sold to end users
Equity Financings
- $250,000 Note financing for an online publication company
- $1.5M Series Seed financing for an AI company
- $750,000 Series Seed financing for a surgical products company
- $750,000 Series Seed financing for an education SaaS company
- $250,000 Equity financing and sale of warrants for a financial technology platform company
- $250,000 Series A financing for a sports apparel company
- $1M Series A financing for a medical imagery technology company
- $250,000 SAFE financing for beverage company