832.408.6402 (tel)
832.408.7575 (fax)
rrap@rapfirm.com
Bob Rapfogel’s practice focuses on transactional corporate law, including corporate governance, private placements, commercial contracts, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate and securities law matters. Bob has been outside counsel to both private and public companies, and has also worked in-house at an NYSE-listed publicly-traded company. Having handled client matters, and having been the client, Bob brings both perspectives to create a transactional practice that he would retain as outside counsel.
Professional Background
Law Firm Experience
Bob previously practiced in the Corporate & Securities section of Mayer Brown LLP, a global law firm with offices in the Americas, Asia and Europe. While at Mayer Brown, he worked on M&A transactions, securities law matters, equity and debt offerings, private placements, secured debt transactions, and general corporate and securities work. He also acted as outside counsel to the Texas Office of the Governor on the Emerging Technology Fund. Prior to Mayer Brown, Bob practiced in the corporate securities section of Cantey Hanger LLP, a law firm based in his hometown of Fort Worth.
In-House Experience
Prior to starting his own firm, Bob served as Associate General Counsel – Corporate & Securities at a Houston-based NYSE-listed corporation, focusing on the following:
- Advising management and the board on corporate governance developments and best practices;
- Preparation of Exchange Act reports filed with the SEC;
- Advising management on disclosure controls and procedures related to SEC filings and other public communications including earnings releases, investor conference calls and investor presentations;
- Overseeing the acquisition and divestiture program, including coordination with operations, treasury, human resources, and tax and accounting functions throughout the M&A process;
- Preparation of proxy materials and advising management and the board on matters related to annual shareholders meetings;
- Overseeing insider trading policies, Section 16 beneficial ownership reporting, Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, and other matters related to stock and equity compensation;
- Working with accounting and finance functions on compliance and administration of the company’s senior debt facilities and bonds; and
- Overseeing exchange listing requirements under NYSE rules.
Government Service
Bob served as Assistant Attorney General for two years at the Texas Attorney General’s Office. He provided counsel to the Office of the Governor on corporate and securities matters related to the creation and administration of the Texas Emerging Technology Fund, and also worked on open government matters under the Texas Public Information Act.
Business Experience
Prior to law school, Bob worked as a financial analyst at Intel in Santa Clara, California. In that capacity, he provided financial support and analyses to Intel’s microprocessor research and software development operations in the U.S., China, Russia and Israel. He also later worked as a financial consultant in Los Angeles for Universal Studios Hollywood and US Search.com.
Education
- University of Texas at Austin, B.B.A. in Finance and B.A. in Japanese, 1997
- University of Southern California Gould School of Law, J.D. 2003
– Articles Editor, Southern California Law Review
Associations
- Houston Bar Association (HBA) – Member
- HBA Mergers and Acquisitions Section – Past Chair and Council Member
- HBA Corporate Counsel Section – Member
- HBA Animal Law Section – Member
- HBA Law Practice Management Section – Past Treasurer
- State Bar of Texas – Member
Admissions
- State of Texas