William Cernius is a partner in the Corporate Department. His general corporate transactional practice and extensive experience focuses on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and general corporate and complex securities matters across a wide range of industries. He has been a resident lawyer in each of the San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, and London offices.
His broad experience in advising private and public companies regarding the intricacies of the US federal and state securities laws renders Mr. Cernius a frequent lecturer on related topics, including initial public offerings.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Cernius was an investment banker in charge of Morgan, Olmstead, Kennedy & Gardner's venture capital fund.
Mr. Cernius is a member of the Orange County and American Bar Associations. The Legal 500 US guide has on several occasions recognized Mr. Cernius for his work in Real Estate Investment Trusts.
Mr. Cernius has played an important role for both sellers and buyers in strategic and financial planning. His representations include:
His experience also includes participation in hostile acquisition situations including the defense of ARV Assisted Living, Inc. and the acquisition of JCC Holdings, Inc.
Mr. Cernius' extensive representation of both issuers and advisors in virtually all types and sizes of securities-related transactions include:
Additionally, he has advised on billions of dollars of bond and preferred stock offerings.
Chambers USA recognized the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions Practice for “world class expertise when it comes to the most challenging transactions.”