Gregory L. Seltzer

Partner

Philadelphia

Tel 215.864.8142
Fax 215.864.8999

Gregory L. Seltzer is an experienced transactional attorney who utilizes and combines his knowledge of legal, accounting, and business principles to provide comprehensive, practical, and creative business law services. He holds an MBA, is a Certified Public Accountant (currently inactive), and previously worked as an auditor and tax consultant for Ernst & Young, LLP.

He concentrates his practice on public and private merger and acquisition transactions, including private equity and venture capital financing transactions, securities offerings, and spin-out transactions.

Greg is a Practice Leader of the firm's Emerging Companies and Venture Capital Group. He represents entrepreneurs, startups and emerging companies in cutting-edge industries, including SaaS, virtual currency, biotech, mobile applications, and cloud-based technology, among others. He also represents venture capital firms, family office investors, and angel investors - allowing his practice to be informed by both perspectives. He co-founded and leads the firm’s widely recognized accelerator program: Ballard Academy for Student Entrepreneurs (BASE).

He represents public and private companies in a variety of intellectual property licensing transactions, including the negotiation and drafting of software licensing agreements, mobile application service and development agreements, and SaaS agreements. He also handles distribution, development, supply, and manufacturing agreements for technology and life sciences companies.

Greg has handled a multitude of transactional matters in the sports industry, including both Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Hockey League (NHL). On behalf of sports franchises, he has handled the acquisition of a new scoreboard, leasing of a stadium owned by an MLB franchise to the NHL for the annual NHL Winter Classic, drafting and reviewing season ticketholder policies, and structuring and negotiating an advertising tower owned by an MLB franchise.

He also has experience in the music and restaurant industry, representing music producers, venues, and music festivals. Greg represents several nationally recognized restaurants, bars, and retail food and drink establishments, including restaurant opening transactions, financings, and licensing arrangements.

Greg is a highly active member of the community and spirited proponent of music and culture in Philadelphia. He founded and produces Philly Music Fest, an annual music and arts festival that features only local bands (both nationally known and emerging), artists, and breweries. Philly Music Fest is a nonprofit that donates all proceeds to local musicians and local music education charities. Philly Music Fest was lauded by The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Business Journal, Philadelphia Magazine, and Billboard. Greg also is on the Council at the Mann Music Center and the Board of Philadelphia Youth Basketball, a nonprofit organization assisting urban youth by educating through basketball.

Greg is the author of The 1965 Project: The Intersection of History and Music in 1965 (2016) and The 1968 Project: The Intersection of History and Music in 1968 (2018), both of which are published and available on Amazon.com.

Services

Experience

Representative Matters

Represented a sole proprietor in the sale of an insurance agency to a full-service insurance brokerage platform. Client received a mix of 85% cash and 15% equity (a rollover equity position in a subsidiary of the Buyer) and entered into a multi-year employment agreement under which the client will stay involved with the business post-closing.
Represented the sole shareholder of an exhibit services company in the stock sale of an entity to a subsidiary of a public company traded on the Paris stock exchange
Acted as the lead attorney and negotiator advising the City of Philadelphia and the Mayor regarding the historic sale of Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), a complex auction transaction valued at approximately $2 billion. The transaction documents and negotiation were completed, but Philadelphia City Council failed to vote on the deal. The sale of PGW would have been the largest transaction conducted by the City of Philadelphia and the sale of the largest city-owned utility in the United States
Negotiated and closed two public merger transactions, each with a transaction value exceeding $1 billion

Represented a cloud-based SaaS company in the completion of a Series B financing as well as the Series A and Series Seed financings
Led many private acquisition and disposition transactions ranging in size from $5 million to $500 million, negotiating the definitive agreements and coordinating the Ballard Spahr team of lawyers
Represented and represents several emerging companies in convertible note and preferred stock financing transactions
Represented large public companies and middle-market private businesses in their investment in emerging companies (cash for convertible notes and cash for preferred stock)
Represented a large global public pharmaceutical company in several biotech and pharmaceutical licensing transactions involving patents, trademarks, data, technology, and know-how, as well as in the acquisitions of several private companies
Represented a private pharmaceutical company in the domestic and international licensing of its core product, including in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East
Represented a large medical device company in the acquisition of technology and the license of key products
Represented a large public company that formed a captive investment entity and then completed multiple Series A investments into startup companies
Represented two startup companies in the medical device industry, handling all aspects of the legal representations
Negotiated and structured several mobile application service agreements, including provisions related to the licensing of technology and intellectual property ownership
Led transaction teams in the drafting, negotiation, and closing of software and other technology licensing agreements, both in the United States and abroad
Negotiated and advised clients on employment arrangements and agreements, representing both employers and employees, including compensation arrangements, equity plans, and noncompete provisions
Represented an MLB franchise in the acquisition of a new scoreboard, including the related service and intellectual property agreements
Advised an NHL franchise in the drafting and implementation of a new season ticketholder policy
Represented an MLB franchise in the lease of its ballpark for the NHL Winter Classic
Negotiated the service and license agreements related to an advertising tower owned by an MLB franchise
Represent the executive producer of a nationally-recognized music festival, including business advice and negotiation
Represented clients in multiple restaurant and bar openings throughout Philadelphia, as well as in consultation and negotiation of expansions and new ventures

Professional Highlights

Recognition & Accomplishments

Philadelphia Business Journal, "Best of the Bar," 2018

The Legal 500 US, mergers and acquisitions – middle-market (sub-$500m), 2018-2023, recommended as Leading Lawyer, 2020-2023

Chambers USA, corporate/M&A and private equity law, (Pennsylvania), 2013-2022

Board Memberships & Community Service

Philadelphia Youth Basketball, Inc.

The Mann Center for the Performing Arts

Publications

The 1965 Project: The Intersection of History and Music in 1965 (2016)

The 1968 Project: The Intersection of History and Music in 1968 (2018)

Related Insights

Credentials

Education

Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law (M.B.A., J.D. 2003, cum laude)
Member, Temple Law Review; Recipient, Benjamin Winderman award for scholastic achievement in Temple University's J.D./M.B.A. program

Pennsylvania State University (B.S. 1998)

Admissions

Pennsylvania