Bio

Throughout his more than 35 years practicing with Richards Layton, C. Stephen Bigler has provided counsel on the complex Delaware corporate law matters—including fiduciary duty, governance, and control issues and disputes—that arise throughout a corporation’s existence, from formation and early-stage financing to initial public offering or sale of the company. Steve’s clients include private and public corporations of all sizes and stages and their directors, board committees, significant stockholders, and investors, as well as the prominent law firms that also represent them. Clients consider Steve “a top-notch corporate lawyer; he is very thoughtful and knowledgeable about Delaware law” (Chambers USA). Steve has considerable experience analyzing and drafting preferred stock terms, merger and investment agreement terms, and other corporate documents governed by Delaware law. Steve was one of the original group of venture capital lawyers who drafted the NVCA model venture financing documents, and he currently serves on the National Venture Capital Association GC Advisory Board and participates in updating those documents annually. While a member of the ABA Corporate Laws Committee, Steve was involved in drafting several additions to the MBCA, including provisions adding a statutory ratification procedure and provisions permitting the formation of public benefit corporations. He was also involved in drafting several new sections of the 7th edition of the Corporate Directors Guidebook. Steve served as president of Richards Layton from 2008-2011. He was a member of the ABA Corporate Laws Committee from 2014-2020, and currently is a member of the Tri-bar Legal Opinion Committee. Steve is a frequent speaker on DGCL developments and practice issues.