Steve Wood counsels tech companies, venture capital funds, and health systems in a broad array of business and corporate transactional matters, from company formation to acquisitions and financing deals. He is well-versed in securities law and taxation and he has particular experience with software licensing and development agreements. His work frequently involves health IT and Mr. Wood has considerable knowledge of HIPAA compliance issues. He serves as the Information Privacy and Security Officer for Baker Donelson.
In addition to his 20 years as a lawyer (including five years as a law professor at Vanderbilt Law School), Mr. Wood draws upon significant real-world business experience in representing his clients. He had a career in banking and commercial real estate finance prior to law school and later co-founded and was CEO of a successful financial services software business, including two years as division executive of the NYSE-listed firm that ultimately acquired his company. He also has served as an advisor and business consultant to several technology-related start-ups. These hands-on business experiences provide a valuable foundation for understanding the client’s strategic objectives beyond a purely legal perspective.
- Professor, Vanderbilt University Law School, and Adjunct Professor, Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management
- Business consultant and advisor to technology-oriented businesses
- Division Executive, Ocwen Financial Corporation (NYSE:OCN)
- Founder and CEO, Synergy Software, Inc. (financial services software)
- Vice President, Woodmark, Inc. (real estate finance and investment services)
- Real Estate Lending Officer, NCNB National Bank (predecessor to Bank of America)
- Venture capital and angel financing – both investor and company representation
- Health information technology – development, licensing, and hosting agreements
- Information privacy and security – Business Associate Agreements, HIPAA compliance issues, data breaches
- IT aspects of hospital acquisitions – complicated transition services agreements
- Mobile apps (iPhone and Android) – development and hosting/content management system agreements
- Online social networks – click-through Terms of Service and Privacy Policies
- Music industry technology agreements
- Software license agreements – both installed and hosted applications, including SaaS and cloud computing
- Software application development agreements
- Source code license and escrow agreements
- Large-scale IT outsourcing agreements
- Outside general counsel – broad business-legal counsel to start-up and emerging companies
- Board of Directors, Nashville Capital Network (angel investing and entrepreneurial guidance organization)
- Board of Directors, Nashville Entrepreneur Center (initiative of Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Nashville Technology Council)
- Health Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)
- American Bar Association, Section on Science and Technology
- Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D., 1991 (Associate Editor, Vanderbilt Law Review)
- Indiana University School of Business, B.S. in Business Economics with high distinction, 1983 (Beta Gamma Sigma)