CARLTON FLEMING's practice is dedicated to life sciences companies. He advises public and venture-backed biopharmaceutical and biotechnology clients on IPOs, follow-on public offerings, and other financing transactions, as well as SEC reporting, compliance, and corporate governance matters. Carlton has been involved in more than 75 IPOs and other public offerings, helping raise more than US$13 billion. He regularly counsels boards of directors and special committees on complex securities law, strategic, and governance issues, drawing on deep experience with high-growth life sciences clients.
In addition to his capital markets work, Carlton guides life sciences companies through strategic alternatives and special situations. He has advised on mergers and acquisitions, corporate wind-downs, and Chapter 11 restructurings, leveraging his sector knowledge to preserve value in challenging scenarios. He also provides steady counsel in extraordinary situations such as shareholder activism, capital return to shareholders, and internal investigations, often collaborating with Sidley’s White Collar team to navigate sensitive board-level inquiries.
Carlton is a member of Sidley’s Public Company Advisory Steering Committee, contributing to firmwide guidance on public company and governance issues. He also co-chairs the firm’s Bay Area Life Sciences Roundtable, an initiative that convenes industry leaders and investors to discuss emerging trends and challenges in the life sciences sector. His extensive deal experience, combined with these leadership roles, has made him a trusted adviser to life sciences companies navigating both growth opportunities and complex special situations.