The Legal 500

Cooley LLP’s 26-attorney dedicated technology transactions group, led by Adam Ruttenberg in Reston, focuses on complex IT-related transactions. As well as advising established software and hardware infrastructure vendors and companies offering products and services where intellectual property is a key value driver, the group supports innovative start ups, and is recognized for its ‘deep market expertise’ across social networking, software-as-a-service, consumer electronics and entertainment, information services, semiconductor and cleantech. In 2010, it was strengthened by the arrival of Joel Brenner in Washington DC, from the National Security Agency (NSA). Outsourcing specialist Adam Sak, in Broomfield, joined from Greenberg Traurig LLP. Ruttenberg represented Qualcomm in its joint venture to deliver machine-to-machine wireless services. He advised McKinsey in its global joint venture with the Nielsen Company, NM Incite, which helps companies to use social media intelligence to drive business performance. In Palo Alto, Carolyn Craig and Pete Burns represented TiVo in its deal with Cox Communications to integrate the Cox On DEMAND service with a TiVo Premiere box; its transaction with Suddenlink Communications for distribution of co-branded, TiVo Premiere DVRs, and its strategic alliance with ONO as the exclusive distributor of TiVo’s advanced television services in Spain. Robin Lee specializes in alternative energy and cleantech transactions. Jennifer Coplan in New York handles digital rights management issues. Key clients include Adobe Systems, Applied Materials, eBay, Clorox, Skype, Salesforce.com, Viacom, Synopsys and Zenith.

Latham & Watkins LLP’s 45-lawyer team handles M&A, licensing deals and strategic transactions for vendors and users of technology. The group offers transactional and IP strength and specific industry expertise, notably in the hi-tech, telecoms, pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. Cleantech is an expanding focus area. The firm’s international reach is a key factor. It offers East and West Coast expertise with leading tech lawyers in Silicon Valley combining a transactional practice with specialization in complementary areas. Top life sciences attorney Charles Hoyng assisted longstanding client Codexis with a master services agreement with Sandoz. ‘Rising star’ J D Marple advised Eclipsys on the renegotiation of its outsourcing relationships with two of its largest hospital customers. The group is primary outside counsel to global IT brands. Glenn Nash, who ‘leads a dynamic licensing team and has incredible resources at his disposal’, represented Adobe in its $1.8bn acquisition of web analytics company Omniture. The ‘pleasant, professional’ Anthony Klein, who ‘consistently achieves great results’, advised the Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee, a government organization, on technology innovation in the UAE. Marcelo Halpern, in Chicago, assisted Navistar with a joint venture for truck design and development. He also advised a leading gaming manufacturer with negotiations for two separate technology sharing and marketing alliances. Allen Klein in Washington DC has an excellent market reputation for outsourcing and transactional work. ‘Valuable partner’ Roxanne Christ in Los Angeles advises on the convergence between media and technology. Appreciated for her ‘extensive expertise and responsiveness to client needs,’ she assisted GigaMedia-T2CN with its exclusive license to distribute the EA Sports online video game “NBA Street Online” across China, and a joint marketing agreement between T2CN and Tencent, China’s largest instant messaging service. Notable clients include ORC Software, Sony Online Entertainment, Harrahs’ Entertainment, MGM and USA Mobility.

Morrison & Foerster LLP combines IP and technology credentials with a strong international presence. Clients recommend the group’s ‘deep bench of subject matter experts in a variety of areas and sound advice’. With a dedicated technology transactions group comprising some 50 lawyers in seven US offices, it has the bandwidth to handle multiple big-ticket deals. Tessa Schwartz, who also advises on cleantech, and her team represented longstanding client Intel in its $7.7bn acquisition of McAfee and its $160m purchase of Texas Instruments’ cable modem product line. Paul Jahn and Rob Townsend advised Intel on the highly significant $1.4bn acquisition of Infineon Technologies’ Wireless Solutions business. Tessa Schwartz and William Schwartz represented Yahoo! on its $225m sale of recruitment website Yahoo! HotJobs to Monster Worldwide. Practice co-chair Laurie Hane specializes in the internet, semiconductors and telecommunications advice. John Delaney in New York, has an excellent reputation for handling IP, outsourcing and hi-tech matters for clients ranging from ‘Silicon Alley’ start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Russell Weiss in Los Angeles is also recommended. Other notable practitioners include Julian Millstein in New York, and Christopher Ford and Scott Stevenson in Washington DC. Key clients include Warner Music Group, Sega, Time Warner Cable, Novell, Moody’s and Technicolor.

With 40 attorneys, including 13 partners dedicated to technology transactions, ‘well-known Silicon Valley firm’ Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati leverages its strength in technology and IP to advise clients ranging from early-stage start-ups to recognized industry leaders on complex industry issues. Its deep specialist expertise across technology industries, including semiconductors, hardware, software, communications, biotech and life sciences, has been the key to its market leading reputation. High-profile mandates included representing Sun Microsystems in its acquisition by Oracle Corporation, and successfully acting for Google and YouTube in defense of the copyright infringement action brought by Viacom. The ‘formidable’ Palo Alto-based practice head Suzanne Bell handles complex, strategic transactions, notably for Google. She has particular expertise in software deals and is acknowledged as ‘a leading light in the computer and semiconductor space’. Former network engineer Michael Murphy is recognized for his strength in patent litigation, while Kenneth Clark handles partnering and technology transactions, notably in the biotechnology industry. Cleantech expert Todd Glass represents project developers, venture capital firms, and utilities in North America, Asia, and Europe. In 2010, Michael Rabson from Cytokinetics joined the firm and Miranda Biven, who represents life sciences clients in technology transactions, was promoted to partner. Clients include AOL, Apple, Hewlett-Packard, Pixar and Polycom.

Baker & McKenzie’s size and global reach, the interaction between its technology group and its prominent corporate practice, enable it to win significant clients and mandates. Led by Chicago-based Michael Mensik, the US practice focuses on transformational transactions involving IT, business process outsourcing and systems acquisitions. The team represents vendors and customers involved in complex ERP and systems integration projects, custom software development, outsourcing, licensing and distribution agreements and wins praise for ‘building client confidence by listening to concerns and addressing them in a timely fashion’. Lothar Determann in Palo Alto advises multinational companies and start-ups on software licensing, electronic commerce, data protection and international law related to technology transactions, product sourcing, distribution and services and provides specialist advice on open source software and e-commerce. Sam Kramer and Peter George are also recommended. In 2010, Edward Hansen, David Jackson and Jessica Lipson joined the New York office from Morgan Lewis, strengthening the group’s expertise and experience in complex technology and outsourcing transactions.High-profile clients include The Estée Lauder Companies, Universal Music Group, Cardinal Health and Wolters Kluwer.

Baker Botts L.L.P.’s interdisciplinary technology transactions group supports technology businesses at every stage from initial strategic planning through to IPO. The team wins praise for ‘exceptional quality and effort and lawyers who always respond quickly’. Practice head and chair of the technology sector committee John Martin in Dallas combines M&A and technology expertise, representing buyers and sellers in big strategic deals. Commended for ‘his ability to communicate with diverse internal and external client teams’, he has represented Accenture in numerous transactions, notably its $51m acquisition of Ariba’s sourcing services and business process outsourcing services assets. Together with newly promoted partner Courtney York, Martin represented CA in its $350m acquisition of Nimsoft, and its acquisitions of 3Tera and HyPerformix. The group represented AT&T in the $1.4bn sale of Sterling Commerce to IBM. The department is concentrated in Dallas, with attorneys in Austin, Houston, Washington DC, New York and Palo Alto. ‘Outstanding transactional attorney’ Jordan Herman is recommended as ‘calm under pressure and extremely thorough’. Michael Bengtson and Brian Henchey are singled out for praise. Major clients include Cisco, CSC, Dell, GENBAND, Perot Systems and Raytheon.

DLA Piper LLP’s technology transactions team is a prominent presence on both coasts. Vincent Sanchez in Chicago, chairs the US technology, sourcing and commercial practice, handles complex commercial transactions, and advises on the acquisition, divestiture, and licensing of technology products, and services. Mark Radcliffe in Palo Alto offers strategic IP advice and expertise in open-source, cloud computing and social media. William Cook in Washington DC combines technology and telecoms expertise, notably advising Qualcomm. The firm’s huge international reach allows it to handle complex cross-border and multijurisdictional transactions for clients in a multiple industry sectors. The team continues to win big-ticket deals, notably in the financial services, pharmaceutical, hospitality and airline industries. The diverse specialisms on offer within the group differentiate it from its more generalist competitors. 2010 saw continued focus on cloud computing and open source software issues, where the firm’s association with leading consulting group Olliance represents a clear advantage. ‘Upcoming lawyer’ Jennifer Bauman specializes in social media advice. Outsourcing specialists William Russell and Jim Nelson left to join Venable LLP’s New York office. A prestigious client list includes Pfizer, eBay and Sony Corporation.

Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP’s technology transactions practice is supported by its global reach and IP prowess. In 2010, it continued to expand its technology capabilities in IT outsourcing and technology M&A in California, New York, Europe and Asia. Practice head and ‘tough, but principled negotiator’ Eric Reifschneider became leader of the firm’s global technology practice and managing partner of its Silicon Valley office. Clients appreciate his ‘outstanding command of the law and remarkable ability to draft complex provisions in the heat of negotiation’. The group handles high-stake, complex IP-related transactions and cross-border work for major technology companies. Highlights included advising Qualcomm on a $1.3bn cross-licensing deal with Samsung Electronics. John Brockland represented eBay in negotiating a joint venture agreement with Young Bae Ku, the founder of Gmarket, a leading e-commerce company in Korea. John Kennedy in New York handles M&A and outsourcing work for utilities, financial services companies and Fortune 500 companies. The team was further strengthened by outsourcing specialist Robert Finkel joining from Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP. Key clients include Applied Materials, Blackboard, Blue Coat Systems, Catholic Healthcare West, Sanyo Electric, Sony, Yahoo! and Zynga.

Fenwick & West LLP represents clients across the technology spectrum in transactional matters including financing, licensing and IP work and big-ticket M&A. Key business sectors include life sciences, clean tech, internet-based business and social media, SaaS, gaming, software and hardware. In 2010, the M&A practice, led by David Healey in Silicon Valley and Douglas Cogen in San Francisco, acted on 105 acquisitions valued at over $10.6bn. The group frequently acts on the most high-profile deals in the technology space, advising acquiring and target businesses. Recent highlights include advising longstanding client and serial acquirer Cisco Systems in five acquisitions and IT security, and representing backup provider SonicWALL in its $717m acquisition by an investor group led by Thoma Bravo. Semiconductors and cleantech are important sources of work and the group is recognized for its e-discovery expertise. The fact that it does not offer the same international reach as some of its competitors has not prevented it from acting in some of 2010’s most prominent deals, with Cogen representing ArcSight. in its $1.5bn acquisition by Hewlett-Packard. An impressive client list includes Amazon.com, Apple, Cisco Systems, Electronic Arts, Facebook, Google, Hewlett-Packard, Netflix, Symantec and Twitter.

Its clients consider Goodwin Procter LLP’s technology companies group to be ‘the best in the business’. Comprising 160 lawyers who represent emerging technology companies, venture capital and private equity firms and investment banks, the ‘top notch team’, co-chaired by John Egan and Bill Schnoor in Boston, recruited Anthony McCusker in Silicon Valley who wins plaudits for his ‘pragmatic approach to structuring transactions’, from Gunderson Dettmer LLP. He was joined by Craig Schmitz and Caine Moss from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, who is commended for his ‘outstanding business acumen and industry knowledge and appropriate advice’. Christopher Austin from Ropes & Gray LLP joined the firm’s Boston office. Joseph Theis was promoted to partner. Highlights included representing General Compression, a leader in energy storage and wind technology, in its restructuring, recapitalization and $23m Series A Convertible Preferred Stock financing; ExtendMedia in its merger with Cisco; Salary.com in its $80m sale to Kenexa and; and Digital Sky Technologies as lead investor in a $135m investment in Groupon and a $200m Series E preferred stock investment in Facebook. ‘Super experienced, negotiators’ Kenneth Gordon and Mark Burnett are singled out for praise.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP’s transactions group is led by Brian Pass, recommended as ‘responsive, timely and practical – an excellent drafter and advocate’. Pass and his team acted in 2010’s most prominent deals, notably representing Yahoo! as lead outside counsel in its landmark multibillion-dollar deal with Microsoft. Craig Cardon assisted Auditude with agreements to serve as ad service platform for Comcast’s online properties, including Comcast.net and Fancast.com, and in connection with deals with Daily Motion, Endemol and major record labels. The group advised Conduit – a start-up that helps publishers make and distribute apps using Web browser toolbars – on its strategic partnership with Microsoft’s Bing. Riaz Karamali in Silicon Valley focuses on M&A, licensing and technology transactions, advising clients ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Other technology/new media clients include Joost, Ovation, Fox Mobile, ReachLocal.com, Vobile and TVEverywhere.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP handles IT and e-commerce transactions ranging from single license agreements to multiparty global outsourcing deals and combines Wall Street credentials with sector expertise. Stuart Levi, co-head of the IP and technology group, has an industry background that helps him to understand the underlying drivers of agreements and transactions. Recent mandates included advising Novell in its acquisition by Attachmate and the concurrent sale of its intellectual property assets to CPTN Holdings in transactions worth $2.2bn, and EMC Corporation in its $2.25bn acquisition of Isilon Systems. Ivan Schlager represented Yahoo! as co-counsel in its ten-year partnership agreement with Microsoft. Jose Esteves specializes in IP monetization and finance, transactions relating to cleantech, pharma/biotechnology, IT, internet and media. West Coast partner Kenton King handles big-ticket technology deals, enabling the IT and e-commerce group to integrate technical expertise with the firm’s recognized transactional prowess. Other technology clients include SanDisk Corporation, Huawei Technologies USA and Citibank.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP’s five-partner group in New York and Silicon Valley combines IP and licensing expertise with outstanding transactional prowess. Clients commend lawyers’ ‘industry knowledge, business acumen, responsiveness and terrific judgment’. In New York, Michael Epstein and Jeffrey Osterman undertake ‘complex multinational transactions’ for financial and corporate clients. Osterman, who clients consider ‘knowledgeable, responsive and understands our business’, assisted CA Technologies with its acquisition of Arcot Systems. Epstein advises technology clients, notably Hulu, on IP issues. Along with Karen Ballack in Silicon Valley, he represented Panasonic in licensing arrangements and integration of services such as YouTube, Amazon Video on Demand and Netflix into network enabled televisions. Charan Sandhu represented NBC Universal and parent General Electric in GE’s joint venture with Comcast that includes ownership of NBC Universal and Comcast’s cable channels and regional sports networks, Other key clients include Apple, Aruba Networks, Getty Images, Hulu, Microsoft and Symantec.

Supported by strong corporate, tax, finance, labor and litigation practices, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP’s 18-partner technology group, led by Scott Barshay, George Zobitz and George Schoen, represents some of the world’s best known names. Highlights included assisting IBM with its $1.7bn acquisition of Netezza and its $1.4bn acquisition of Sterling Commerce from AT&T. An impressive client list includes Freescale Semiconductor, Qualcomm and Xerox.

Gibson Dunn’s strategic sourcing and technology transactions group benefits from the firm’s blue-chip corporate client base and leverages its institutional relationships and strategic alliances in the US and Europe. Led by leading outsourcing attorneys William Peters in Los Angeles, Daniel Mummery in Palo Alto and Stephen Nordahl in New York, it advises clients including Marsh & McLennan on technology procurement and outsourcing transactions. The group works closely with the firm’s information technology and data privacy group, launched in March 2011.

Gunderson Dettmer LLP represents West Coast entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, representing emerging technology companies from initial start up through to their acquisition, merger or IPO. It represents venture capital funds investing in emerging technologies and assists with fund formation, notably Kleiner Perkins and the Andreessen Horowitz Fund. Thirty-six partners in 4 offices handle corporate, M&A, venture capital, private equity and IP matters. In 2010, name partner Scott Dettmer, in Silicon Valley, and his team represented emerging growth companies in transactions with major corporate acquirers, negotiating the sale of five companies to Google and one each to Areva, Apple, Dell and Microsoft. Highlights included representing AdMob in its $700m acquisition by Google, ITA Software in its $750m sale to Google and Lala Media in its sale to Apple. Anthony McCusker acted in both these key deals. The 12-partner IP element of the practice handles significant transactions in the technology space. An expanding cleantech practice advised fast-growing technology and life sciences companies, and in 2010 extended its global reach to Asia, Europe and Latin America. This capability synchronizes with a strong corporate element adept at taking emerging companies through their life cycle. The team’s prowess in advising start-ups on licensing, strategic-partnering and early-stage transactional work has been crucial to its dominance of this corner of the market. Clients include Ariba, Selectica, Qlik Technologies, Alimera Sciences, Foursquare, Tweetdeck, Etsy and Tumblr.

Jones Day’s integrated technology transactions group combines specialist IP expertise with M&A prowess. With leading partners in Silicon Valley, San Diego, and Los Angeles working closely with the New York office, the group is recognized as a leading player in the technology space. Thomas Briggs in San Diego and Warren Nachlis in New York, have market-leading practices underpinned by specialist industry experience. 2010 saw increased activity in the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals sector, where the group acted on joint ventures, fund formations and acquisitions, notably representing Sanofi in a $398m exclusive global collaboration and licensing agreement with US biopharmaceutical company Ascenta Therapeutics. Big-ticket technology deals included advising Attachmate Corporation on its $2.2bn acquisition of Novell, which included a $450m sale of IP assets to a consortium led by Microsoft Corporation. Other clients include Abbott Labs, Bunge, Celgene, Gennum, SanDisk, SAP and VIZIO.

McGuireWoods LLP’s 22-lawyer integrated technology and outsourcing practice draws on the firm’s transactional and industry expertise. It focuses on the customer side, handling e-commerce and data privacy transactions combining ‘broad experience, expertise and market knowledge with a practical, results-oriented approach’. Clients include Fortune 100 corporations, governmental entities and nonprofit organizations, and emerging businesses. Recent mandates related to media and electronic publishing, outsourcing and ERP consolidation as well as open-sourcing and cloud computing. Clients rely on practice heads Stephen Gold and Scott Glickson in Chicago to ‘give the best possible answer, within real-world constraints’. Derek Roach advises on ERP system integrations, multinational software and information content licensing, and has particular expertise in electronic publishing. Bradley Salmon focuses on financial services, licensing arrangements and procurement. The dedicated IP element of the team includes specialist expertise in software licensing and represents licensors, licensees and joint owners. Clients include Rubicon Technology, Telos, Computer Aided Technology, and a numerous customer-side companies, including financial services, consumer brands, publishing and telecoms

Clients describe Shearman & Sterling LLP’s technology group as ‘excellent – a great resource’. Comprising more than 30 attorneys on the East and West Coast, it covers most technology sectors. Clients include technology and software companies, venture-backed and privately held companies, investment banks and private equity funds. The group handles M&A and IP-related transactions and global project financing, technology joint ventures and cleantech in the US and internationally. The firm leverages its global reach, putting together international teams to handle significant cross-jurisdictional deals. In 2010, it advised Sybase on its $5.8bn sale to SAP America and its acquisition of assets from Aleri, and represented Vector Capital in its $125m acquisition of Trafficmaster. Clients recommend Tina Patel in Menlo Park for her ‘good understanding of industry, technology and intellectual property issues’, and for providing ‘high-quality and timely service and good value for money’. Along with Sam Waxman in New York, who represents new client Sony Corporation of America, she handles transactions that require IP and technology skills, while Michael Dorf in San Francisco advises on mid-market Bay Area transactions and technology-focused private equity funds. Key clients include Nokia, Sungard Data Systems, STMicroelectronics, and tech-focused private equity firms Francisco Partners and Symphony Technology Group.

Sidley Austin LLP’s 54-lawyer technology transactions group focuses on capital markets, M&A, regulatory compliance and investment fund services. Commended for ‘excellent service in all respects’, the group has particular depth in IT procurement and outsourcing, digital media and entertainment, and life sciences. Jeffrey Rothstein in Chicago handles high-profile IP transactions and IT mandates, notably acting as co-counsel advising eBay on its £2.75bn sale of Skype. Other deals involve life sciences and technology expertise. Rothstein led teams assisting Monsanto on its crop gene collaboration with BASF, and GE Healthcare on its alliance with Intel to develop and market innovative technologies. Clients appreciate Mark Kaufmann’s ‘expertise, relationship skills and ability to get the deal done’, notably representing clients in the financial sector. A prestigious client list includes Hexima, Monsanto and Iridium Satellite.

Venable LLP recruited William Russell and Jim Nelson from DLA Piper LLP. According to clients, they are ‘good counselors with well-developed legal and business acumen, incredibly responsive and adroitly navigate confusing escalation paths’. Russell is ‘best in class’ for life sciences, representing GE Healthcare in negotiating a strategic alliance for distribution of its home healthcare product line. He also represented CAE, a Canadian provider of simulation and modeling technologies for the aviation industry, in acquiring the rights to cutting edge technologies. Russell and Nelson join the ‘outstanding’ Nora Garrote in Tysons Corner, who represents Care First Blue Cross in licensing and service agreements and IT outsourcing, and ‘has the requisite knowledge of technology issues and works hard to understand the specifics of each situation’. A J Zottola in Washington DC focuses on IP-related e-commerce.

Andrews Kurth LLP’s 37-strong technology and emerging companies practice, led by Carmelo Gordian and Matthew Lyons, is based in Austin, Dallas and Houston and focuses on the technology, telecoms and healthcare industries. Gordian’s clients include life science, software, telecommunications, semiconductor and energy sector companies. Together with David Kavanaugh, he represented Phoenix IP in its $70.1m acquisition of Iroko Pharmaceuticals. Lyons focuses on forming and operating businesses, capital raising strategies and M&A. He assisted Valence Technology with the issuance of a registered direct offering to Seaside 88. The group advises emerging companies, entrepreneurs, and venture capital and private equity firms, and leverages its strong ties with investors, funds, investment banks and financial institutions. Other clients include LDR Holding (LDR Medical), Innography, Spinal Restoration, Site-Controls, Nuventix and iCeutica.

Bracewell & Giuliani LLP’s ‘excellent’ technology practice was boosted by the arrival of ten former Fish & Richardson P.C. technology attorneys, including Edward Cavazos and Andrew Gajkowski in Austin, who represented longstanding client Builder Homesite in a strategic joint venture with Move to create Builders Digital Experience. Clients recommend Gajkowski’s ‘strong practical, business sense; excellent drafting skills; attention to detail and responsiveness’. In addition to energy and clean energy-related technology deals, the group handles matters involving software, video games and semiconductors. Michael Samardzija in Houston has a thriving life science and biotechnology practice. Key clients include Calnetix, Hellfire Games, Overstock.com and Volusion.

Covington & Burling LLP’s ten-partner integrated technology transactions group assists with ‘high-value, high-profile’ transactions including M&A, venture capital investments, public offerings, joint ventures, collaborations and licensing, distribution and outsourcing agreements, and internet and e-commerce matters. A diverse client list spans life sciences, financial services, energy, cleantech, sports, media, software and technology, communications, transportation, manufacturing and retail. Nigel Howard in New York is recommended as ‘practical and responsive and the quality of his work is exceptional’. In 2010, he represented American Airlines in negotiating a contract for an IT system and related services with ITA Software. In Washington DC, practice head and leading life sciences lawyer John Hurvitz represented global giant AstraZeneca in a worldwide collaboration with Targacept and Eisai in an exclusive license agreement with Helsinn Healthcare. Amy Toro in San Francisco assisted ExxonMobil in its license and research collaboration with Synthetic Genomics. Evan Cox and his team advised Microsoft on terms of service, intellectual property, liability, open source software and policy matters relating to their BPOS and Azure cloud computing services.

Fulbright & Jaworski LLP in Texas advises new and established businesses in the technology, engineering, energy and life sciences sectors on M&A, and funding and licensing and development agreements. Clients recommend the ‘exceptional’ David Peterman for complex transactions, notably assisting Lime Rock Partners with a joint venture with Petroleum Development Corporation. Charles Powell focuses on company funding, assisting Energy Alloys with a $180m expansion and restructuring of senior and mezzanine debt. Daryl Lansdale in San Antonio represented AT&T as lead investor in its multiple equity and debt investments in PlumChoice Online PC Services. In Austin, Darrell Windham represents Freescale Semiconductor. Other clients include DFB Pharmaceuticals, AirStrip Technologies Emergent Technologies and eVoltaic.

Gardere Wynne Sewell’s internet, e-commerce, and technology team advises clients with activities in regional, national, and global markets. Led by Peter Vogel in Dallas, who wins clients’ praise for ‘his legal expertise, his knowledge of our business and market and his responsiveness to our needs’, it advises web and software development companies, internet hosts, manufacturers of computer chips and communications technology, biotechnology and medical devices and customers of these and other internet-based services, notably social media. Highlights included representing longstanding client the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) in its eGovernment portal contract negotiations and management and assisting Health Language with licensing its software to customers worldwide.

Hogan Lovells US LLP handles strategic alliances, outsourcing and development agreements, technology transfers, and complex licensing arrangements, supported by the firm’s IP strength and broad global footprint. Zenas Choi in Washington DC, combines technology, telecoms and IP expertise, representing social networks and other new media clients. In McLean, Peter Porter focuses on outsourcing, and Shelly McGee’s clients include News Corporation. In Denver, copyright and trademark specialist David London represents software developers and vendors, internet service providers, computer chip and medical device manufacturers, notably advising TeleHealth Solutions on its web portal-based system for subscription-based health monitoring and assisting Quorum Business Solutions with IP matters.

Morgan Lewis’ strong technology transactions and outsourcing group features Rahul Kapoor in Palo Alto, who advised Toyota Motor Corporation in its $50m investment in electric roadster manufacturer Tesla Motors following Tesla’s £226.1m initial public offering. He assisted electronic vehicle networks and infrastructure provider Better Place with a $350m Series B financing in one of the largest-ever clean-tech investments. Other highlights included advising SanDisk Corporation on numerous technology and commercial transactions, notably a seven year patent cross-licensing transaction with Samsung Electronics.

Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP’s David Klein in New York handles IP-related technology transactions with an international focus, notably assisting Kaydon Corporation with a Chinese joint venture for the manufacture of wind turbine bearings. He represented Citco Group in technology agreements and global trademark filings. The group has particular expertise in the pharmaceutical and sector with Matthew Berger and his team in Palo Alto representing Korean Dong-A Pharmaceutical Co in its strategic alliance with GlaxoSmithKline. Jane Song in San Diego assisted the John Wayne Cancer Institute with its research grant and license with Abraxis Bioscience. A prestigious client list includes The Dow Chemical Company.

At Proskauer Rose LLP, co-head of the technology, media and communications group Jeffrey Neuburger advises clients on emerging technology and distribution methods, winning praise as a ‘responsive, knowledgeable leader, a zealous advocate and aggressive negotiator’. The group is recommended for its ‘efficient and good service’. Daryn Grossman represented Passlogix in its acquisition by Oracle Corporation and Markit North America in its acquisition of Wall Street On Demand. Kristen Matthews, who combines IP and transactional expertise is recommended as ‘hands-on, responsive and client-oriented with in-depth industry knowledge’.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s cross-practice handles multibillion-dollar M&A transactions, divestitures, joint ventures, debt and equity offerings, restructurings, outsourcing and licensing arrangements. Lori E Lesser, who co-heads the East Coast IP transactional practice, represented AOL in its $187.5m sale of ICQ, the leading instant messaging service in Russia and Eastern Europe, to Digital Sky Technologies, and represented AIG in its $4.8bn sale of two Japan-based life insurance subsidiaries to Prudential Financial. Other key clients include Apax Partners, Tommy Hilfiger Group, The Blackstone Group and Pinnacle Foods.

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. in Texas advises private and corporate venture capital investors, private equity firms, and investment banks. Supported by a strong intellectual property practice, it represents sellers, purchasers, targets, and financial advisors in M&A and other transactions. The practice expanded in 2010, with a new Palo Alto office focusing on cleantech and renewable energy. Austin-based practice head William Volk and Robert Kimball in Dallas represented longstanding client Dell in its $3.9bn acquisition of Perot Systems. Together with Kyle Fox, who heads the Palo Alto practice, Volk represented Austin-based Lifesize Communications in its $405m sale to Logitech International. Nick Fox, the ‘up and coming’ Wes Jones and Chris Schmitt, also in Austin, are recommended.