Morris Cheston, Jr.

Morris Cheston, Jr., is senior counsel in the Business and Finance Department and a member of the Life Sciences/Technology, Mergers and Acquisitions/Private Equity, International, and Securities Groups.

Mr. Cheston has extensive experience in securities and corporate law, having represented a broad base of issuers and investment bankers in private placements and public offerings of securities and in mergers and acquisitions. He also has been actively involved for more than 25 years in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, representing companies ranging from start-ups to large pharmaceutical companies, as well as underwriters.

Representative Matters

• Represented a NASDAQ-listed biotechnology company in a merger transaction with another NASDAQ-listed biotechnology company
• Represented a NASDAQ-listed biopharmaceutical company in a transaction to acquire a privately held pharmaceutical company
• Represents a start-up biotechnology company with respect to in-licensing of significant technology from a prominent university
• Represented a NYSE-listed manufacturing company in its disposition of a division to a foreign buyer
• Represented issuers in PIPE financings
• Represented a NASDAQ-listed biopharmaceutical company in 144A financing

Professional Activities

American Bar Association
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Philadelphia Bar Association

Recognition & Accomplishments

The Best Lawyers in America, biotechnology law, 2010-2012

U.S. Navy, Officer, 1959-1961

Publications

Co-author, "Gun-Jumping and Free Writing: Communications Hazards to Avoid When Going Public," INSIGHTS: The Corporate & Securities Law Advisor, May 1994

Community Activities

Mr. Cheston has a strong commitment to the community through numerous civic and charitable activities. His past business, civic, and charitable affiliations include as director of Paper Manufacturers Company; director of The Mutual Assurance Company; Chair of The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the Philadelphia Flower Show; director and Chairman of the Zoological Society of Philadelphia; director of the New Jersey State Aquarium; Chairman of the Board of Chestnut Hill Academy; trustee of Springside School; director of King's College; director of Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania; and director and major gifts chairman of United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Board Memberships

Orthovita, Inc. (publicly held biomaterials company)
Pennsylvania Hospital, Chairman, Board of Managers
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
The Garden Conservancy
First Hospital Foundation
Penn Medicine, Trustee, member of Executive Committee
Chestnut Hill-Springside Foundation, President 
Les Quatre Vents Foundation, trustee
Chestnut Hill Academy, trustee emeritus

Harvard Law School (LL.B. 1964)

Princeton University (B.A. 1959)

Pennsylvania