Technology boon.

A duo of transactional attorneys opened a new firm last month, seeking to capitalize on new business being generated by a reviving technology and venture capital sector.

Lee Weinberg, a senior executive at AEi Systems, and Louis Dienes, a sole practitioner, formed Weinberg Dienes LLP in Century City last month. Dienes said the firm is in final talks with two other attorneys to join them.

Geared toward startups, the firm expects to offer better prices for work such as private placements, acquisitions and negotiating terms with venture funds.

"A lot of learning has occurred in the last four years in the down cycle," said Dienes, who had been at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP for nine years before leaving in late 2003 because of a shortage of work. "The risk has gone out of the marketplace, and people are starting to make investments of this type again."

Prior to joining AEi, Weinberg was cofounder and chief executive of marketing firm Sales Mountain, which was sold in 2002. He also is a former associate at Riordan & McKinzie, now part of Bingham McCutchen LLP. The firm's clients include Chanin Capital Partners and Axium International, Dienes said.

Staff reporter Amanda Bronstad can be reached at [phone], ext. 225, or at [e-mail].