Powell Carman counsels private and publicly held clients on general corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital investments, strategic alliances, licenses, commercial agreements and other business issues. His practice focuses largely on clients in the life sciences, agribusiness, ag biotech and food industries.

Powell’s transactional experience includes significant acquisitions and divestitures for national and international biotech and agribusiness companies. He is also outside general counsel for a number of privately held companies and nonprofit organizations.

Education

  • University of Missouri-Kansas City (J.D., with honors, 1988)
    • University of Missouri-Columbia (B.S., cum laude, 1983)
      • honors scholar

    Bar Admission

    • Missouri
    • Illinois

    Court Admissions

    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit

    Recognition

    • Recognized as a Stellar Performance Lawyer by Thomson Reuters, 2026
    • American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell™, Top Rated Lawyers in Technology, 2013
    • Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® for:
      • Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2026
      • Venture Capital Law, 2020-2026
      • Corporate Law, 2013-2025
    • Selected for Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for Venture Capital Law, 2023
    • Ranked in Chambers Global: World’s Leading Lawyers, Agribusiness, Notable Practitioner, 2020, 2026
    • Missouri Super Lawyers, 2006-2007

    Community

    • Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Leadership Council
    • University of Missouri Jefferson Club Board of Trustees
    • St. Louis Agribusiness Club, President
    • Rotary Skyway Farm Foundation, President
    • Sigel Elementary School, volunteer tutor
    Publications
    Polsinelli Life Sciences Spotlight - Volume 1 - Looking Back, Moving Forward: A Year in Life Sciences
    We are excited to present the first volume of our Life Sciences Spotlight report, where we explore the latest trends, innovations, and breakthroughs shaping the future of life sciences. This report offers a comprehensive view of the dynamic landscape, covering: Policy Opportunities in 2025 Washington Recent Life Sciences Deal Trends 2024 Sampling of Representative Life Sciences Deals Living in a Post-Chevron World – Loper Bright and the Impact on FDA-Regulated Industries Are Medical Device Disputes the Latest “Smartphone Wars” at the ITC? Q&A with SxanPro Polsinelli Client is Saving Your Bananas Proposed Changes to Terminal Disclaimer Practice in Patent Applications Withdrawn after Industry Backlash Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Patenting Pitfalls in the Life Sciences Industry Q&A with Portal Innovations A Busy Biotech Week Boston Perspectives from the Host of The 10 Minute HealthBizCast
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    The Corporate Transparency Act and Agribusiness and Ag Tech Companies
    From family farms and businesses to established agribusinesses to emerging ag tech companies, a new federal law requires business entities to disclose their owners’ and control persons’ personal information, and for many entities, the time for disclosure is now.  Why this matters for you. From Wall Street to Main Street to your street, the vast majority of private and many nonprofit entities will be swept into Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) compliance. If you own or control a company, you need to pay attention. Not only is initial reporting important, but so is ongoing compliance and coordination with other information and disclosures you are currently making, and similar filings companies make on a regular basis. For corporations, limited liability companies and limited
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