Driscoll R. Ugarte, P.A.

Partner

  • Driscoll R. Ugarte, P.A.
  • Phone: +1 561 962 2139

    Driscoll R. Ugarte, P.A. - LinkedIn Import to Address Book

  • Duane Morris LLP
    Boca Center Tower II
    5100 Town Center Circle, Suite 400
    Boca Raton, FL 33486-1008
    USA
  • Duane Morris LLP
    201 S. Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 3400
    Miami, FL 33131-4325
    USA

Driscoll R. Ugarte is a corporate and securities partner at Duane Morris LLP, resident in the firm's Boca Raton and Miami offices. With nearly 25 years of experience and leadership on transactions exceeding an estimated $15 billion in aggregate value, he is recognized as one of Florida's preeminent advisors on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and private equity.

Mr. Ugarte is a corporate and securities partner at Duane Morris LLP, widely recognized as one of Florida's premier corporate and securities lawyers. He advises public and private companies, private equity sponsors, institutional investors, family offices, and founders on high-stakes transactions, capital formation, and strategic growth initiatives. Clients across South Florida, the United States, and internationally rely on him to lead complex domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, sophisticated securities offerings, and corporate governance matters, particularly in highly regulated, innovation-driven, and growth-oriented industries.

Based in Boca Raton and Miami and drawing on a quarter century of experience, Mr. Ugarte counsels clients at every stage of the business lifecycle — from formation and venture financing through growth-stage investment, strategic acquisitions, capital markets transactions, and liquidity events. His practice spans corporate law, securities regulation, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and capital markets across multiple jurisdictions and four continents.

Mr. Ugarte is a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs, private equity and venture capital sponsors, underwriters, and single-family offices, counseling them on complex financings, strategic transactions, tax-efficient structuring, and direct investments.

Key Differentiators

  • Leadership of sophisticated transactions exceeding an estimated $15 billion in aggregate value, including numerous matters exceeding $100 million individually — spanning M&A, capital markets, and private equity across North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia
  • Nationally recognized experience in life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical technology transactions, including clinical-stage acquisitions, IP-driven deals, and FDA-regulated company financings
  • Trusted advisor to single-family offices and institutional investors on tax-efficient structuring, direct investments, and portfolio company governance
  • Extensive cross-border M&A and capital markets experience spanning four continents, with particular depth in U.S.–Latin America transactions involving foreign private issuers and multinational operating companies
  • Peer-recognized for excellence in corporate and securities law by Super Lawyers, Florida Trend, and leading industry publications — with a client choice award from Lexology/ILO

Firm Leadership

  • Serves on Duane Morris LLP's governing Partners Board, a select body responsible for firmwide strategy, governance, and institutional leadership
  • Co-Chair of Duane Morris's Life Sciences and Medical Technologies Industry Group, directing sector strategy, client development, and thought leadership initiatives nationally

Industry Focus

Mr. Ugarte regularly counsels clients across life sciences, biotechnology, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, real estate, agribusiness, aerospace, and other innovation-driven industries — sectors where deep regulatory knowledge and transactional sophistication are essential. He also advises multinational corporations and foreign companies on cross-border direct investment, M&A, and U.S. securities law compliance.

Areas of Practice

  • Corporate Law

  • Securities

  • Mergers & Acquisitions

  • Private Equity

  • Emerging Growth and Venture Capital

  • Cross-Border Transactions 
  • Capital Markets

Education & Credentials

Mr. Ugarte is a 2002 graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and a cum laude graduate of University of Florida. Prior to entering private practice, he served in a judicial clerkship role.

Florida Corporate and Securities Law: Mr. Ugarte is one of a small group of Florida-based corporate and securities lawyers with the depth to handle complex public company representation, sophisticated M&A, and cross-border transactions — from his offices in Boca Raton and Miami, serving clients throughout South Florida and nationally.

Representative Matters

    Capital Markets, Private Equity and Venture Capital Transactions

  • Assisted EyeMD EMR Healthcare Systems Inc., a leading provider of healthcare technology software solutions purpose-built for ophthalmologists and eye care specialists, with a transaction involving a significant majority growth investment in the resulting company from Performant Capital, a Chicago-based private equity firm. The transaction was structured as an F-reorganization with a 30 percent rollover and included a profits interest component. 

  • Led a team of corporate, tax and real estate attorneys in connection with Lacofin Establishment’s $15 million investment in a newly formed partnership seeking to purchase an island in the Caribbean and build five star resort, single family homes, condos and deep water marina for yachts.

  • Led a team of corporate, tax and real estate lawyers in connection with the formation, organization and financing of, and investment by, four real estate development funds for which Black Salmon Capital served as manager.

  • Advised a Florida-based designer, importer, distributor and licensor of men's apparel in connection with its $150 million public bond offering, $150 million "universal shelf" public offering and $40 million secondary public offering.

  • Counseled a privately-held drug delivery technology and generic pharmaceutical company in connection with its $25 million and $10 million private offerings of partnership interests.

  • Assisted a foreign private issuer with a public follow-on offering of $43 million of ordinary shares.

  • Represented a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company in registered direct public offerings of more than $20 million for common stock and warrants to institutional investors.

  • Represented the shareholders of Ideal Protein, a Quebec-based corporation with significant U.S. operations, in the sale of a majority interest to funds advised by Apax Partners LLP, a global private equity firm.

  • Closed multiple technology-based growth company transactions, including venture capital financings, strategic alliances, licenses, development and supply arrangements totaling over $500 million in the last five years.

  • Represented a publicly traded life sciences company in several public and private securities offerings totaling more than $100 million.

  • Advised a privately-held software development company in connection with several venture capital financings in excess of $50 million.

  • Counseled a privately-held orthopedic medical device manufacturer in connection with private financings in excess of $60 million.

  • Represented a privately-held biometric fingerprint sensor designer and manufacturer in connection with private financings in excess of $80 million.

  • Represented an electronic health records/patient care management company in connection with a $500,000 investment by an angel group based in Orlando, Florida.

    • Mergers and Acquisitions

  • Represented private equity firm Roundwood Capital, LLC as lead counsel in the $21 million sale by its affiliate of all of the assets of Rite-Air Mechanical Acquisition Company, LLC, an HVAC and refrigeration company.

  • Represented former CEO of Keller Williams Realty in a divestiture of the ownership interest in three separate Keller Williams Realty franchisees.

  • Represented Scientific Air Management LLC, a hospital equipment supplier, as lead counsel in the sale of all of its assets. 

  • Represented a leading national provider of workers' compensation industry specialized cost containment services in acquiring a health care service provider that facilitates the measurement and tracking of health care quality and efficiency.

  • Advised a privately-held, Taiwan-based medical device company in connection with a multi-million dollar acquisition of a medical device product line owned by a public company based in the United States.

  • Represented a publicly traded life sciences company in connection with the purchase of assets owned by a Canadian corporation.

  • Counseled publicly traded financial services company in connection with a reverse triangular merger which resulted in the realization of significant wealth by the majority shareholders.

  • Represented a publicly traded media company in connection with its merger with another public company, valued at $38.5 million

  • Represented a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company in connection with the acquisition of a Phase 3 clinical trial-ready drug candidate and all related assets, including the intellectual property and rights to develop and commercialize the drug product.

  • Represented a publicly traded internet-based weight-loss company in connection with its merger with a provider of interactive private-label nutrition, fitness and wellness programs.

    • SEC Compliance and Corporate Governance

  • Represented Soligenix, Inc. in connection with its appeal of a delisting determination by Nasdaq Stock Market LLC for failure to comply with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1) (requiring common stock to maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1 for 30 consecutive trading days) and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) (requiring a minimum of $2.5 million in stockholders’ equity or meet the alternatives of market value of listed securities or net income from continuing operations). Defended a plan of compliance which included the approval of a reverse stock split of Soligenix’s common stock to increase the stock price well above $1 per share and the dividend of super-voting preferred stock that mirrored the actual vote of common stock in order to overcome shareholder apathy and insure approval of the reverse stock split by Soligenix’s stockholders.

  • Regularly advise public companies in connection with the preparation and filing of periodic reports required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

  • Advised publicly traded company in connection with implementation of shareholders' rights plan to discourage certain types of transactions involving an actual or potential change of control of the company.

  • Represented several public and private companies in the establishment and use of equity incentive plans and a wide range of equity incentives for executives, employees, directors and consultants.

  • Advised several public companies in corporate governance matters under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related regulations.

Professional Overview

With nearly 25 years of experience advising on transactions exceeding an estimated $15 billion in aggregate value, Driscoll R. Ugarte has built one of South Florida's most respected corporate and securities practices. Resident in Boca Raton and Miami, his practice encompasses mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, private equity, and public company representation — serving clients from growth-stage startups to publicly traded companies and institutional investors. His career reflects elite legal training, national law firm experience, governance leadership, and a track record of excellence in high-value transactional matters.

Mr. Ugarte is recognized for his work on complex M&A, capital markets transactions, cross-border investments, and public company representation — the type of sophisticated, high-value matters that define leading corporate practices at the national level.

Career Experience

Mr. Ugarte's career spans leading Am Law 100 and international firms — providing him with the depth, breadth, and institutional perspective to advise on the most complex transactional matters at both the national and global level.

Experience

  • Duane Morris LLP
    - Partner (2016-present)
    - Associate (2013-2015)

  • Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP (now Troutman Pepper Locke LLP)
    - Associate (2005-2013)

  • Broad and Cassel, P.A. (now Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP)
    - Associate (2003-2005)

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    - Judicial Law Clerk (2002-2003)

Leadership and Professional Engagement

Mr. Ugarte maintains active leadership roles in industry organizations and community initiatives, reflecting his commitment to advancing corporate governance, life sciences innovation, and economic development in South Florida.

  • Member, BioFlorida
  • Member, Association for Corporate Growth
  • Member, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County
  • Member, Independent Sales-Surtax Oversight Committee, Palm Beach County School Board (2005–2016) — an appointed public oversight role responsible for auditing and approving capital expenditures of a multi-billion-dollar school construction program

Education

  • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 2002
  • University of Florida, B.A., cum laude, 1999

Admissions

  • Florida

Honors and Awards

  • Recipient of the Lexology / International Law Office Client Choice Award – General Corporate (Florida), 2017 (a peer and client nomination award)
  • Recognized as a “Young Attorney on the Rise” by the Daily Business Review
  • Named a “Legal Elite Up & Comer” by Florida Trend (2013, 2016)
  • Selected to the “Florida Rising Stars” list by Super Lawyers (2010)
  • Recognized for excellence in corporate and securities law by multiple industry and business publications

Driscoll R. Ugarte is a frequent author and speaker on corporate law, capital markets, life sciences transactions, and emerging regulatory developments. His commentary has appeared in BioSpace, Business Insider, the Daily Business Review, the Miami Herald, and other leading legal and business publications. He regularly speaks before professional and industry audiences on issues affecting public companies, private equity sponsors, and growth-stage enterprises in Florida and nationally.

Mr. Ugarte is a recognized authority on corporate law, capital markets, life sciences transactions, governance, and emerging regulatory developments. His insights are regularly featured in leading legal, business, and industry publications, and he is frequently invited to speak on strategic issues affecting public companies, private equity sponsors, and growth‑stage enterprises.

Selected Publications

Additional Publications & Commentary

Media Hits

Mr. Ugarte is available for media commentary on corporate law, M&A, capital markets, private equity, and life sciences matters. Media inquiries may be directed to Jennifer Barton or Amy Abbonizio. 

Selected Speaking Engagements

  • Presenter, “2025 Legal Hot Issues: Navigating the New Administration and Emerging Corporate Compliance Priorities” (including Corporate Transparency Act and anticipated regulatory shifts), Global Ventures Lunch and Learn, Research Park at Florida Atlantic University, December 19, 2024

  • Speaker, "Wealth Preservation: Are Your Assets Properly Protected From Creditors?" Duane Morris Doing Business in South Florida Roundtable Series, August 14, 2019

  • Moderator, "The Role of Private Equity and Venture Capital in Seeding the Future: Challenge and Opportunity in Early Stage Impact Investing,” Opal Group's Impact Investment Forum, West Palm Beach, Florida, April 1-3, 2019

  • Panelist, "Meet the Angels," FAU Tech Runway, Boca Raton, March 29, 2019

  • Panelist, "Business Succession Planning," The Owner's Journey, FAU Tech Runway, February 2019