Steven R. Cade
Partner – Foley & Lardner LLP

 

Description of field of expertise

Steve Cade is a partner and business lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP. He represents clients in a broad range of general corporate law and transactional matters, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, venture capital financings, and securities matters. Steve represents clients across a range of industries, including manufacturing, fashion and beauty, and food and beverage.

Steve has completed a significant number of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and other business combination transactions for a wide variety of clients, including Fortune 500 companies as well as private equity and middle-market publicly traded and privately held clients. 

Steve has also counseled clients on the full spectrum of commercial matters affecting businesses, including licensing, purchasing/selling, lending, and distribution/agency. His clients include manufacturers and vendors of a diverse array of goods and services, including food and other consumer products, printing, software, tools, electronic equipment, and manufacturing equipment.

In addition, Steve also represents investors, including venture capital firms, family offices, and angel investors, in a number of emerging growth company investment transactions. He also regularly assists companies resident in Catapult Chicago, a technology incubator co-founded and sponsored by Foley, with various capital raises, including convertible note and SAFE financings, venture capital financings, angel investments, and friends and family rounds.

 

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Mistakes will happen! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and try to avoid them going forward. The practice of law truly takes practice, and the more practice you get, the better you will be. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. As lawyers, we always strive to be knowledgeable about the law, but sometimes we haven’t been exposed to a certain area or issue. Chances are that someone else has or another lawyer can help you think about issues differently. The best lawyers are the ones that continuously learn from other attorneys and educational resources. Continue to sharpen your skills and stay on top of current issues that impact your practice.