Sarah Solum > Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP > Silicon Valley, United States > Lawyer Profile

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has a strong bi-coastal practice with experienced teams in New York and Silicon Valley. The women-led team has a fine presence in investment grade debt and is making a further impression in ESG-related transactions. It is primarily known as an issuer-side practice, including emerging and mid-cap businesses through to large global leaders, though also has close links to a range of underwriters. It is further noted for corporate governance thanks to the presence of Pamela Marcogliese, who splits her time between New York and Silicon Valley. New York partner Valerie Ford Jacob is global co-head of the firm’s capital markets and financial institutions practices, while Silicon Valley’s Sarah Solum is noted for representing large technology businesses, such as Oracle, in high-value debt offerings. New York partner Michael Levitt is active in a range of debt offerings for both issuers and underwriters.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has experienced and strong teams in both New York and Silicon Valley. It has close links to both issuers and underwriters, including growth companies, mid-cap and global businesses. With the slow market for IPOs, the team has remained active in direct offerings, PIPEs, block trades, SPAC transactions, and at-the-market offerings. Valerie Ford Jacob is hugely experienced in major equity offerings with Silicon Valley partner Sarah Solum also having an outstanding reputation, especially for tech clients. Michael Levitt is another key name and Pamela Marcogliese, based in New York and Silicon Valley, is head of US transactions with a strong reputation in capital markets and corporate governance. Silicon Valley’s Scott Blumenkranz was promoted to partner in 2023 and rising star Taryn Zucker is another key member of the team. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP draws considerable praise from clients, who turn to the team for its ‘depth of knowledge’ and ‘client-focused practical advice’ on a broad range of corporate governance issues, including ESG matters, corporate compliance, and shareholder activism. The firms has continued its growth with the addition of several partners from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. Among them are Beth George, who leads the strategic risk and crisis management practice at the firm, Megan Kayo, who regularly works with startups and Fortune, and Janet Kim and Andrew Dockham, both of whom have bolstered the team’s the litigation abilities. Practice head Pamela Marcogliese, who splits her time between New York and Silicon Valley, is described as a ‘standout partner’, praised for her ‘depth of knowledge in the corproate governance and securities space.’ Elizabeth Bieber is noted for her ability to provide guidance on a range of corporate governance issues, including director fiduciary duties, board evaluations and stakeholder engagement issues. Silicon Valley-based Sarah Solum has extensive experience on capital markets transactions and corporate assignments for public and private companies hailing from the tech and life sciences sectors. Unless otherwise mentioned, all named practitioners are based in New York.