Overview

With extensive experience representing technology and life sciences companies, Merrill Mason represents entrepreneurial and emerging enterprises.

Prior to joining Smith Anderson, Merrill co-founded Triangle-based Hutchison + Mason in 1996 where his leadership helped the firm grow to 20 lawyers specializing in meeting the general corporate needs of technology and life sciences companies.

Passionate about working with developing entrepreneurs and law students, Merrill has taught as an adjunct instructor at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School and the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Areas of Focus

Credentials

Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®
    • Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice (2007-2025)
    • Securities/Capital Markets Law (2007-2025)
    • Venture Capital Law (2007-2025)
    • Best Lawyers® 2020 Venture Capital Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Raleigh
  • Business North Carolina Legal Elite
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers (Business/Corporate)
  • Recipient of Entrepreneurial Excellence Award for Outstanding Service to Entrepreneurs from the Council for Entrepreneurial Development

Education

  • University of North Carolina, J.D., 1986
  • University of North Carolina, B.A., 1982

Bar & Court Admissions

  • North Carolina

Affiliations

  • Member, Board of Advisers, University of North Carolina School of Law Institute for Innovation
  • Member, Board of Directors, North Carolina Biotechnology Center
  • Member, Triangle Angel Partners II, LLC Executive Committee
  • Member, Triangle Angel Partners I, LLC Executive Committee
  • Member, IDEA Fund Partners Advisory Board
  • Past Member, Board of Directors of Council for Entrepreneurial Development
  • Past Member, Executive Committee of Council for Entrepreneurial Development
  • Past Member, Board of Directors of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Foundation Investment Fund, Inc.
  • Past Member, Board of Directors of A Ban Against Neglect, Inc.
  • Past Chairman, Board of Directors of The Green Chair Project, Inc.

Insights

News

Publications & Alerts

Author of published article, “Nobody Said There Would Be Math”

Author of published article, “Valuation of a Start-Up Business – Art Not Science”

Events & Programming

  • Co-Presenter, "Startup Board Basics," Angel Capital Association's Angel University, Virtual
    Speaking Engagement
  • Guest Lecturer, "Legal Issues for Start-Ups," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.  
    Speaking Engagement
  • Presenter, "Term Sheet Basics: Understanding Deal Terms,” RTP Angel Fund, Durham, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Guest Lecturer, "New Ventures-Launch," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Co-Presenter, "Term Sheet Basics," Angel Capital Association's Angel University, Virtual
    Speaking Engagement
  • Guest, "Legal Traps for the Unwary Founders," Founded Connect Podcast
    Speaking Engagement
  • Panelist, "Term Sheet Basics," Angel Capital Association's Angel University, Virtual
    Speaking Engagement
  • Speaker, "Friday Pitch Scrubs" Launch Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Guest Lecturer, "Fundraising for Start-Ups," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Guest Lecturer, "Start-Up Issues," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School's Startup UNC Course, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Presenter, "Term Sheet Basics," Angel Capital Association's Angel University and The Big Launch Challenge, Durham, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Guest Lecturer, "Mock Negotiation Exercises," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School’s Venture Capital Deal Structure Course, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Guest Judge, "New Ventures Launch Legal Clinic," UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Guest Lecturer, "Legal Issues for Start-Ups," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Presenter, "Start-up Issues," StartupUNC, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Guest Lecturer, "Series A Preferred Stock Financing," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Presenter, "Entering the U.S. Market for Tech Companies," NASSCOM Webinar in Partnership with EDPNC
    Speaking Engagement
  • Guest Judge, "New Ventures Launch Legal Clinic," UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Presenter, "Early Stage Funding Strategies and Term Sheets," Launch Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Guest Judge, "StartUp UNC," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Guest Lecturer, "Legal Issues for Start-Ups," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Guest Lecturer, "Start-Up Issues," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School's Startup UNC Course, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Guest Lecturer, "Series A Preferred Stock Financing," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Presenter, "Term Sheets and Valuation," 757 Angels Investor Education Event, Norfolk, Va.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Moderator, "Term Sheet, Red Flags, Pitfalls, and Elements to Negotiation," Seed the South Pitch Competition & Investor Symposium, Charlotte Innovation Week, Charlotte, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Presenter, "Start-Up Financing," Wolfpack Investor Network Member Meeting, Raleigh, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Presenter, "Early Stage Funding Strategies and Term Sheets," Launch Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Interviewee, "Faculty Guide: Term Sheet Basics," Angel Capital Association Southeast Regional Meeting, Raleigh, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Presenter, "Early Stage Funding," CED Accelerate Series, Research Triangle Park, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Moderator, "Choosing the Right Investment Partner: Where to Find Funding Sources," Southeast Medtech Forum 2019, Raleigh, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Guest Judge, "StartUp UNC," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Presenter, "Preferred Stock Economics," Carolina Angel Network's Annual Meeting, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Guest Lecturer, "Legal Issues for Start-Ups," University of North Carolina's Commercial Business Ventures Course, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Panelist, "Early Stage Funding Strategies and Term Sheets," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School's New Ventures Discovery Course, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Presenter, "Start-Up Financing 101," HQ Raleigh, Raleigh, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Guest Lecturer, "Mock Negotiation Exercises," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School’s Venture Capital Deal Structure Course, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Presenter, "Early Stage Funding Strategies and Term Sheets," Launch Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Panelist, "Benefits of Being the First-Check," Seed the South Investor Symposium & Startup Pitch Competition," Charlotte, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Guest Judge, "Final Business 500 VenturFine Pitches," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, “Smith Anderson and Start-Ups,” North Carolina State University PackStart Workshop, Raleigh, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "Legal Considerations of Starting a Business," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "Building Relationships Between Experienced Entrepreneurs and Mentors," Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington, Wilmington, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "Start-Ups Issues," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School's Startup UNC 4 Class Program, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "Early Stage Funding," Carolina Angel Network’s Annual Meeting, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "Legal Issues for Start-Ups," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler, Commercial Business Ventures in the Shuford Program in Entrepreneurship, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "A Lifestyle View From the Partner's Perspective," Duke University School of Law Start-Ups Ventures Clinic, Durham, N.C.
    Event
  • Guest Judge, "NC IDEA‘s SEED Fall 2017 Grant Cycle Competition," NC IDEA, Durham, N.C.
    Alert
  • Guest Lecturer, "Legal and IP Issues for Start-Ups," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School's Value Creation in a Life Science Startup Course, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "Early Stage Funding Strategies and Term Sheets," Launch Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "Legal Issues for Start-Ups," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Startup UNC 4 Class Program, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "Overview of Investment Terms," Triangle Angel Partners II Meeting, RTP, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "PackStart Workshop," NCSU Springboard Innovation Hub, Raleigh, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "Top 10 Small Business Legal Issues," NCACPA Symposium, Greensboro, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "Early Stage Funding Strategies," University of North Carolina Launch, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "Legal Issues for Start-Ups," Duke University, Durham, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "Legal Issues for Start-Ups," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School's Startup UNC 4 Class Program, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Event
  • Guest Judge, "The Perfect Pitch," HQ Raleigh, Raleigh, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "Building an Effective Board of Directors," Office Hours at HQ Raleigh, Raleigh, N.C.
    Event
  • Panelist, "Legal Coaching Clinic," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "Legal Issues for Start-Ups," Elon University's Startup High, Elon, N.C.
    Event
  • Guest Lecturer, "Mock Negotiation Exercises," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Event
  • Guest Judge, "3rd Annual Carolina Challenge Pitch Party," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "Introduction to Entrepreneurship," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Event
  • Guest Judge, "Start-Up Concept Competition," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Event
  • Guest Judge, "Start-Up Contest," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Event
  • Guest Judge, "2013 Start-Up Alley Competition," HQ Raleigh, Raleigh, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "Career Connections Program," Cary Academy, Cary, N.C.
    Event
  • Presenter, "Legal Issues for Start-Ups," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Event
  • Guest Judge, "Launching the Venture Program," University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
    Event
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