Welcome to the
LAW OFFICE OF DARRYL CLEVELAND
Business transactions, securities work, and outsourced general counsel for growth-oriented clients
PRACTICE
AREAS
OUTSOURCED GENERAL COUNSEL
(including startups)
Ongoing legal support for businesses and investment teams, with an emphasis on responsive execution and clear documentation. For startups, this includes formation and founder equity structuring, cap table and governance clean-up, and day-to-day counsel as the company scales.
SHAREHOLDER ACTIVISM & PROXY CONTESTS
Representation of shareholders and investment firms in activist campaigns, proxy contests, and board engagement strategies. Work includes 13D/13G filings, proxy statement preparation, SEC compliance, board nomination procedures, settlement negotiations, and strategic coordination with proxy solicitors and other advisors.
SMALL/MID-MARKET M&A
Buy-side and sell-side support for acquisitions and divestitures, including LOIs, due diligence coordination, transaction documentation, and closing execution.
BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS & COMMERCIAL CONTRACTS
Entity structuring, commercial contracting, and transaction support, including drafting and negotiation of customer, vendor, and strategic agreements.
RIA SETUP & COMPLIANCE
Support for registered investment adviser formation and registration strategy, building a workable compliance program, and ongoing guidance as your business grows.
Texas-based business and investment counsel
Based in Dallas–Fort Worth, serving clients nationwide
The firm advises business owners, investment firms, and regulated advisory businesses on business transactions, outsourced general counsel matters, RIA setup and compliance, and time-sensitive shareholder activism engagements—including proxy contest support where disciplined process and credibility matter.
Practice focus
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Outsourced General Counsel (including startups)
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Small/Mid-Market M&A
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Business Transactions & Commercial Contracts
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RIA Setup & Compliance
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Shareholder Activism & Proxy Contests
To request a consultation, please use the Contact page.
Responsive execution. Clear documentation. Discretion when the stakes are high.
WHY CLIENTS
CHOOSE US
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Partner-level attention: As a solo practitioner, you work directly with me on every matter—no delegation to junior associates
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BigLaw quality, boutique economics: Sophisticated work product at rates that make sense for emerging companies and mid-market transactions
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Responsive by design: Built to move quickly on time-sensitive matters where days matter
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Strategic network: Regular collaboration with specialists and major firm attorneys when matters require additional expertise
ABOUT US
Darryl Cleveland
Business Transactions & Investment Adviser Counsel
Law Office of Darryl Cleveland is a Texas-based practice (DFW) serving clients nationwide. A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin School of Law (J.D.), Darryl Cleveland advises business owners, investment firms, and regulated advisory businesses on business transactions, outsourced general counsel matters, and securities/compliance-adjacent issues where judgment and documentation are critical.
Practice focus
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Outsourced general counsel support for growth-oriented businesses and investment teams
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Business transactions and commercial contracting (including small/mid-market M&A support)
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Investment adviser matters, including RIA formation and compliance-oriented counsel
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Shareholder activism support, including proxy-contest-related process and documentation
Experience
Darryl has counseled clients on business acquisitions, securities law, joint ventures, employment, real estate, complex litigation matters, and franchising. He has also advised on healthcare business issues, including state and federal Stark and anti-kickback compliance. His clients have ranged from tech and beverage startups to real estate developers to other law firms. He has also advised nonprofit organizations and has a history of nonprofit board service.
Prior to establishing his own practice, Darryl worked for a boutique firm representing investment advisers and providing securities compliance-related counsel.
Darryl collaborates with attorneys at major law firms on matters requiring specialized expertise or where clients benefit from cost-effective execution with strategic oversight. He has collaborated with Am Law 100 firms on securities-related engagements and complex business transactions.
SELECTED
EXPERIENCE
Representative Matters
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Advising investment firm on shareholder activism engagement and proxy contest strategy for investment firm targeting underperforming public companies (matter in progress)
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Assisted with formation of multi-million-dollar hedge fund focused on affordable housing
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Represented startup beverage company in matters relating to multi-million-dollar capital raise and cap table hygiene, along with governance and day-to-day operations
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Assisted with representation of buyer in sale of a chain of multi-million-dollar restaurant and bar businesses
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Represented early-stage consumer technology product business in multi-million-dollar Series A funding round
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Represented private equity firm, drafting and assisting with negotiation of deal documents for and with portfolio companies valued at $1+ million each
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Formed hedge fund for client anticipating multi-million-dollar initial capital raise
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Formed investment fund for real estate development company raising up to $10 million for Phase I, with upcoming Phase 2 including multi-million-dollar mixed use development
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Represented seller in $500,000+ sale of medical practitioner practice
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Represented music school in negotiation of lease for mid-size commercial space
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Represented early stage fintech/blockchain company, issues related to ownership change, initial capital raise, and high-level business planning
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Represented client before Texas State Securities Board re becoming a registered investment adviser
Matters listed are representative only. Details have been generalized to preserve client confidentiality.
CONTACT
US
Email: darrylc@dclevelandlaw.com
Phone: (214) 907-7267
Meetings by appointment only
Do not send confidential information until we complete a conflicts check and you receive an engagement letter.
For any general inquiries, please fill in the following contact form:
Disclaimer
The information on this website is provided for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Viewing this website or contacting the Law Office of Darryl Cleveland does not create an attorney-client relationship. Do not send confidential information through this website. An attorney-client relationship is formed only after we complete a conflicts check and you receive a signed engagement letter.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your matter. This website may be considered attorney advertising. We do not seek to represent anyone based solely upon a visit to this website in a jurisdiction where this website does not comply with applicable laws and rules.
PRIVACY
POLICY
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If you have questions, contact us at darrylc@dclevelandlaw.com.
