Michael Lincoln is a partner in the Venture Capital and Mergers and Acquisitions practice groups and leads firmwide lateral recruiting and strategic growth efforts at Cooley. In 1999, Mr. Lincoln co-founded the Reston office and now maintains offices in Reston and New York.
Mr. Lincoln is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Virginia School of Law where he teaches a course on emerging growth companies and venture capital.
His practice focuses on venture capital, public and private offerings, mergers and acquisitions and the representation of technology and emerging growth companies.
In addition, Mr. Lincoln represents a number of leading venture capital firms, angel investors and investment banking companies.
Mr. Lincoln received a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1991 where he served on the Managing Board of the Virginia Law Review and where he was a member of the Raven Society and Omicron Delta Kappa. Following law school, Mr. Lincoln clerked for the Honorable Joel Flaum on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Lincoln received a BS in Business Administration, magna cum laude, from Southeast Missouri State University in 1984.
Prior to attending law school, Mr. Lincoln served for three years as Legislative Assistant to Governor James R. Thompson. Prior to joining Cooley, Mr. Lincoln was a partner with Hunton & Williams in the Tysons Corner office and an associate with Latham & Watkins in the Washington, DC office.
In April 2013, the Washingtonian named Mr. Lincoln a top dealmaker in its Tech Titans list for the third consecutive year. In October 2014, the Washington Business Journal named Mr. Lincoln one of the region's most powerful business leaders in its Power 100 list for the third consecutive year.
In 2007, the Washingtonian named Mr. Lincoln one of the Top 150 Most Powerful People in the Washington, DC area. In 2006, the Legal Times named Mr. Lincoln the top dealmaker in the Washington, DC area. From 2004 - 2008, the Washington Business Journal named Mr. Lincoln the top corporate finance attorney in the Washington, DC area or as a finalist. From 2005 - 2015, Mr. Lincoln was named as one of The Best Lawyers in America and was named Venture Capital Lawyer of the Year in 2013 and 2014. From 2004 - 2014, Chambers USA named Mr. Lincoln to its list of America's Leading Lawyers for Business. From 2006 - 2014, Mr. Lincoln has been recognized as a Virginia Super Lawyer. In 2008, SmartCEO magazine selected Mr. Lincoln as one of its SmartLawyers. In 2010, the Northern Virginia Technology Council presented Mr. Lincoln with its Navigator Award recognizing contributions to coaching entrepreneurs and emerging companies.
Mr. Lincoln serves on the board of the Federal City Council. He is on the Board of the Medical Care for Children Partnership (MCCP) Foundation and is the past Co-Chairman of the Medical Care for Children Partnership and is a member of the Northern Virginia Technology Council. Mr. Lincoln also serves on the Board of Directors of the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association. Mr. Lincoln serves on the Alumni Council of the University of Virginia School of Law and on the Board of Directors of the Mindshare program, an educational program for area entrepreneurs. Mr. Lincoln is also on the Board of Trustees of the Shenandoah National Park Foundation and helped form the founders of the Iranian American Technology Council. Mr. Lincoln served on the Building Committee of Vienna Presbyterian Church. He also serves as the co-manager of his class for the University of Virginia School of Law, and formerly served as a Commissioner on the Virginia Charitable Gaming Commission.
Mr. Lincoln is a member of the Virginia State Bar and the District of Columbia Bar. He is not admitted to practice in New York.
