This paper provides an introduction to transactional and financing due diligence practices by examining methods used by lawyers to investigate the business, legal, and financial affairs of a corporation in transactional and public financing contexts. This paper primarily focuses on corporate and securities due diligence, beginning with analyzing the purpose and objectives of due diligence in the context of the contemplated transaction, followed by an overview of general guidelines with respect to determining the scope of the due diligence investigation and an overview of the materials that would typically become the subject of an investigation. Due diligence precedents are included.

This paper was presented at the Corporate Law for Legal Support Staff seminar held in February, 2013.