Overview
Rhonda Carniol is a technology transactions, artificial intelligence (AI), data privacy, and corporate attorney who advises multinational public companies, entrepreneurs, investors, and private equity firms on complex business transactions and strategic growth initiatives. She is recognized for guiding clients through technology and data driven deals, data commercialization strategies, software and SaaS agreements, venture capital investments, mergers and acquisitions, and emerging legal issues involving artificial intelligence.
Rhonda helps clients navigate the legal, operational, and commercial challenges associated with developing, acquiring, licensing, protecting, and monetizing technology and data assets. She also counsels founders and emerging growth companies on venture capital financings, private placements, corporate governance, and growth-stage legal strategies.
Mergers, Acquisitions and Private Equity
Rhonda has extensive experience advising strategic buyers, sellers, investors, and private equity sponsors with respect to complex transactions in the areas of technology, data, advertising and healthcare. Her work includes:
- Acquisitions and divestitures
- Technology-focused M&A transactions
- Private equity investments
- Venture capital transactions
- Joint ventures and strategic alliances
- Technology and data due diligence
- Transaction structuring and negotiation
- Founder and management team representation
Technology, AI and Data Transactions
Rhonda advises clients on a broad range of technology and intellectual property transactions, including:
- Software licensing and development agreements
- SaaS, cloud computing, and technology services agreements
- Artificial intelligence and generative AI contracting
- Intellectual property considerations with respect to the use of AI
- AI governance and risk management frameworks
- Data licensing, acquisition, commercialization, and distribution
- Technology outsourcing arrangements
- Index development and licensing agreements
- Website development and hosting agreements
- Advertising technology and marketing services agreements
- Product development and commercialization transactions
- Distribution, manufacturing, and private label arrangements
Startups, Founders & Emerging Growth Companies
Rhonda is particularly known for helping entrepreneurs and emerging companies navigate the legal challenges associated with launching, scaling, financing, and exiting innovative businesses. She serves as outside counsel to founders and management teams, providing practical guidance that aligns legal strategy with business objectives.
She regularly advises startup and growth-stage companies on:
- Business formation and entity selection
- Founder agreements and governance structures
- Venture capital and angel investments
- Seed, Series A, and growth-stage financings
- Employee and equity incentive programs
- Technology commercialization strategies
- SaaS and software licensing agreements
- Data ownership and monetization
- Customer and vendor contracting
- Strategic partnerships and joint ventures
- Acquisition readiness and exit planning
From first funding rounds to successful exits, Rhonda helps founders identify and manage legal risks while positioning their companies for long-term growth and investment.
Honors
- Included in Chambers USA, New Jersey Corporate/M&A (2026)
- Included in ROI-NJ, Influencers: Women in Business (2023)
- Included in the COMMERCE Magazine Enterprising Women list (2023)
- Finalist, New Jersey Law Journal, Dealmaker of the Year (2023)
- Included in NJBIZ, Best 50 Women in Business (2012)
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Rating
Award Methodology
*No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Involvement
- Cornell University Council
- Cornell Entrepreneur Council
- New Jersey Women Lawyers Association
Education
- Emory University School of Law (J.D.)
- Order of the Coif
- Editor, Emory Law Review
- Cornell University (B.S.)
Admissions
- New Jersey
- New York