Andrew Smetana

Work Highlights

• Recognized by Chambers USA for Corporate/M&A – Texas: Austin & Surrounds (2026)

• Co-founded and subsequently managed the Austin office of an international law firm (2020–2024).

• Led a multidisciplinary team in advising clients regarding Paycheck Protection Program loans in response to the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021).

• Recognized by The Legal 500 U.S. for Technology and Telecoms – Transactions (2018).

• Served as general counsel for a data center startup, joining pre-funding and pre-revenue (2015–2016).

Practice Areas

Andy Smetana, a Chambers-ranked M&A partner and leader of Pillsbury’s Emerging Companies & Venture Capital practice in Texas, is a trusted advisor and legal counsel to high-growth companies and investors across the technology, life sciences and business services sectors. Andy regularly represents public and private companies in complex M&A transactions including acquisitions valued at hundreds of millions of dollars as well as growth equity financings, divestitures and strategic investments involving leading venture capital, private equity and corporate investors.

Andy has built a reputation for guiding companies through pivotal transactions at every stage of growth from significant growth equity rounds backed by institutional investors to successful exits through sales to Fortune 500 acquirers and private equity platforms. As a former general counsel for a technology company, he brings an operator’s perspective to deal execution, helping clients navigate the strategic, governance and commercial considerations that drive successful outcomes. Andy has led numerous sell-side and buy-side M&A transactions, including cross-border acquisitions valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. Andy also represents institutional investors, including LiveOak Venture Partners, and advises companies and underwriters in connection with IPOs, follow-on public offerings and PIPE transactions. Select representative clients include AllClear ID, Applied Optoelectronics (NASDAQ:AAOI), Artivion (NYSE: AORT), Bloomfire, ForeFlight, LF Bioenergy, Lumenci, Molecular Imprints, Shield GEO and SiteOwl.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Andy is also deeply committed to giving back to his community. As an active volunteer with CASA of Travis County and a member of its board of directors, he is dedicated to protecting children and advocating for their interests.

Prior to joining Pillsbury, Andy was the managing partner in the Austin office of another international law firm.

Professional Memberships

• Austin Bar Association, Technology Section, Co-Chair and Treasurer (2019–2022)

• Texas Bar Association, Member

• California Bar Association, Business Section, Member

Education