Henry Pass has developed a diverse and sophisticated boutique corporate and commercial litigation practice with an emphasis in corporate, commercial and real estate transactions, and commercial litigation. He handles a wide variety of matters, such as business formations, business acquisitions and divestitures, business disputes, venture capital investments, broker-dealer and related securities litigation, software licensing and development, real estate sales and purchases, financing, leasing, construction projects and disputes, and partnership and shareholder disputes. Such wide-ranging expertise gives Mr. Pass unique insight into the challenges faced by both emerging and mature businesses and the skill necessary to aid businesses in overcoming obstacles to success.
Mr. Pass represents a broad range of clients in complex transactions and commercial litigation including individuals, corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, and non-profit organizations. As a sophisticated business lawyer, Mr. Pass also provides legal services to investment advisory firms, broker-dealers, banks, insurance companies, entrepreneurs, venture capital and private equity firms, software companies, real estate companies and hotel operators.
Since 1975, Mr. Pass has handled the negotiation and drafting of documents for highly complex and sophisticated real estate and corporate transactions, and has achieved exemplary results in his commercial and securities litigation practice.
Mr. Pass is rated AV by the preeminent Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating System, which recognizes the highest level of legal excellence and ethical standards through rigorous review by lawyers and judges. Achieved by only approximately 10% of attorneys nationwide, Mr. Pass’ AV rating was awarded based upon his legal knowledge, analytical capabilities, judgment, communication skills and legal experience.
Mr. Pass has been recognized as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in Securities Litigation since 2007 and a National Securities Litigation Super Lawyer since 2009. Mr. Pass is a recognized expert in litigation and transaction matters involving broker-dealers, investment advisors, insurance companies, banks and other financial institutions, as well as complex cases involving both investors’ and financial service companies’ rights.
Mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, including the negotiation and drafting of complex stock, asset purchase and real estate agreements, are a significant component of Mr. Pass’s practice. In that regard, Mr. Pass has been active in the M&A, venture capital and private equity communities and has been a staunch supporter of efforts to foster a world class private equity and entrepreneurial environment in the Greater Philadelphia area. He has been particularly active in several organizations working to make the Greater Philadelphia region one of North America’s top private equity markets, including each of the following organizations, allowing him to provide informed advice on a wide variety of business issues:
Mr. Pass has also served as a panelist or presenter at a number of conferences including the following:
Mr. Pass was invited to be interviewed on WWDB’s “Lifestyles” radio program where he discussed the evolution and success of his boutique practice and the types of matters for which clients seek his legal and business acumen. He was also a featured speaker on WWDB’s Executive Leaders radio program where he addressed the types of legal issues investors might encounter in dealing with their securities investment professionals.
Mr. Pass is a cum laude graduate of the Temple University School of Law, where he served as a Research Editor and Associate Editor of the Temple Law Quarterly. He also holds a B.A. in Political Science, cum laude, with distinction, from Boston University. During his tenure in the Honors Program at Boston University, Mr. Pass was appointed by Boston Mayor Kevin H. White to serve as the Director of the Boston Urban Corps. Mr. Pass returned to Temple as a part-time instructor in its Department of Legal and Real Estate Studies from 1977-1981. He was formerly Associate General Counsel for The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, where he was responsible for a wide variety of corporate and real estate transactions, tax matters and commercial litigation involving Penn Mutual’s business operations and multi-billion dollar investment portfolio.
Mr. Pass is a member of the Pennsylvania and Massachusetts Bars, the American, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and Montgomery County Bar Associations, and the Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association, and serves on various committees of those organizations focusing on issues germane to the venture capital and private equity community. He is also a member of the Temple Law Alumni Association, the National Association for Corporate Directors, the Association for Corporate Growth, and Life Sciences PA.
Mr. Pass’ publications include the following: