Smith Anderson Welcomes Five Lawyers to Firm Partnership

Raleigh, N.C. – Smith Anderson, the largest law firm headquartered in the Research Triangle area, has elected the following five attorneys to the Firm partnership, effective Jan. 1, 2015:  Jason Brege, John Jo, Miranda Miller, Mikal Shaikh and Jeff Truitt.

Learn more about each lawyer’s path to the Firm partnership below:

Jason Brege assists technology companies in developing and commercializing their intellectual property and technology assets through structuring and negotiation of research, development, licensing and other strategic collaboration and acquisition transactions.  Jason has advised companies on over $3.5 billion worth of transactions while at Smith Anderson, with particular emphasis on the agricultural biotechnology, pharmaceutical, software and technology industries.  His breadth of experience with client technology includes: over 40 ag-biotech transactions ranging from genome editing to gene identification and trait development; biologics, pharmaceuticals, plant-derived pharmaceuticals, and medical devices; traditional software, software-as-a-service, and open source; and payment processing, telecommunications, and LED lighting. He has served on several local non-profit boards of directors, including present service for JusticeMatters, Inc. Prior to joining Smith Anderson in 2007, Jason received his law degree from the University of Virginia, where he was a member of the Virginia Law Review, and received his B.A. in Physics and Mathematics, magna cum laude, from Vanderbilt University.

John Jo concentrates his practice in business-related litigation, representing clients across a variety of industries in matters such as contract disputes, commercial torts, insurance coverage and shareholder disputes. Since joining Smith Anderson in 2006, John has been named a “Rising Star” by North Carolina Super Lawyers and was recently named to the 2014 Lawyers of Color Second Annual “Hot List” (Southern Region), which honors early- to mid-career minority attorneys who are excelling within the legal profession. John is a member of the Board of Directors for the N.C. Healthy Start Foundation, serves as a volunteer with the Legal Aid of North Carolina Volunteer Lawyers Program and has volunteered his time as a mentor for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. He also serves on Smith Anderson’s Recruiting Committee. John graduated with honors from Duke University Law School and earned his B.A. from Duke University, also cum laude.

Miranda Miller practices corporate and securities law, with an emphasis on representing private equity and venture capital investors, the formation, financing and general representation of early-stage start-ups, public and private growth and technology companies and closely-held businesses, and the representation of investors, shareholders and institutions involved with such companies. She regularly represents both companies and investors in a variety of corporate activities, including venture capital and private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, commercial contracts, public and private offerings, joint venture transactions and strategic partnerships and collaborations. Miranda serves as a volunteer with the Legal Aid of North Carolina Volunteer Lawyers Program. Prior to joining Smith Anderson in 2001, Miranda practiced corporate law at Kilpatrick Stockton in Raleigh, North Carolina and at Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan (now Winston & Strawn) in New York. She earned a law degree from Columbia University and a B.S. from the University of California, Berkeley. 

Mikal Shaikh practices in the areas of corporate law, securities law, and mergers and acquisitions.  Mikal regularly represents all sizes of companies, from start-up and growth companies through large public corporations, with a particular emphasis on helping companies raise the capital needed to grow.  Prior to joining Smith Anderson in March 2008, he practiced corporate and securities law with the firm of Fried Frank in Washington, D.C. He has broad experience representing clients in connection with public and private offerings of debt and equity securities, corporate formations, corporate governance matters, compliance with securities laws and stock exchange rules, public company reporting, and internal and external corporate investigations. Mikal earned a law degree from Northwestern University School of Law, cum laude, and received his B.A. from the University of Chicago.

Jeff Truitt practices in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, commercial and finance transactions, and government contracting.  He has significant experience in the drafting and negotiation of manufacturing and supply agreements, vendor agreements, licensing arrangements, and other contracts that support the day-to-day operations of companies, as well as cross-border transactions.  He also routinely represents early stage and growth companies in all phases of start-up, financing and exits. Prior to joining Smith Anderson in 2009, Jeff practiced in the Corporate Group at Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago and served four years as general counsel for a military base in Europe. Before law school, Jeff served as a nuclear-trained submarine officer. He is the Chairman of the Board of Stop Hunger Now; a member of the North Carolina Board of CPA Examiners; Secretary, Johnston County Board of Elections; and adjunct faculty, International Law, U.S. Naval War College. Jeff received his law degree from the University of Chicago, with honors, and earned his M.A. from the University of Maryland (College Park). He graduated with a B.S. from the United States Naval Academy, with honors and distinction.

About Smith Anderson

Since our founding in 1912, Smith Anderson has grown to more than 120 attorneys and is the largest law firm headquartered in North Carolina’s world renowned Research Triangle area. We serve clients ranging in size from large public companies to emerging growth businesses, providing a full range of legal services to assist our clients in accomplishing their goals. The knowledge and experience of our attorneys make us well-positioned to handle the litigation and business matters that our clients face. For more information, please visit www.SmithLaw.com.