Derek Colla

Derek is a founder of Cooley’s Miami office. Derek’s practice focuses on representing high-growth companies and their investors from formation through exit. His clients are primarily in the financial technology sector, broadly defined, including crypto/Web3, insurance, payments, wealth management and lending. Derek has substantial experience representing issuers and investors in private company financings, along with buyers and sellers in M&A. He also regularly advises clients on general corporate issues, securities matters and implications of proposed business transactions. Derek has extensive experience representing clients outside the US, including emerging companies and venture capital funds operating in Latin America.

Derek is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center where he teaches a course on emerging growth companies and venture capital.