Cooley LLP is a first port of call for start-ups and emerging companies looking for transactional support. The practice handles a considerable number of venture capital financings annually, where it is equally active on behalf of both investors and companies, while it also advises on IPOs, M&A, and corporate governance matters. A trio of high-profile dealmakers head up the emerging companies and venture capital group: Peter Werner , who recently advised Founders Fund as a co-lead investor in Anduril Industries’ $1.5bn Series F funding round, co-steers the practice from San Francisco together with Matthew Bartus, while Sacha Ross co-directs the group from New York. The bench also includes Palo Alto-based Mark Tanoury, whose four decades of experience ensures he is sought after by emerging companies and venture capital investors for support on strategic matters. Recently promoted to firm CEO, San Francisco-based Rachel Proffitt is a go-to specialist for corporate and securities-related issues, where she enjoys close relationships with public and private companies and investors. Adam Dinow, who heads the New York corporate practice, and Derek Colla, who is a founder of the Miami office, are also highly regarded. Palo Alto-based Sale Kwon is a talented next-generation partner.

Goodwin’s signature technology expertise is a big draw for start-ups, while it also leverages a dominant life sciences offering that ‘provides everything a biotech company could need’. Alongside its company-side credentials, the group maintains close links with investors and it routinely advises venture capital funds on fundraisings, investments, and exits. From Boston, Mitch Bloom steers the life science practice and specializes in advising public and private life sciences companies and investors on financings, M&A, and public offerings. The technology and emerging companies team is co-led by Boston-based duo John Egan and Kenneth Gordon, together with Silicon Valley’s Craig Schmitz , all of whom act for an array of start-ups, growth companies, and investors. Other contacts in Boston include Bill Schnoor, who, as previous head of the London office, is recommended for cross-border transactions involving the technology and life sciences sectors; Danielle Lauzon, who is recognized for her cutting-edge expertise in the life sciences field; and William Collins, who excels in matters involving the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices spheres. In Silicon Valley, Caine Moss focuses on supporting software, AI, internet, and financial services companies through all stages of their growth.

Drawing on 12 offices across the US, Brazil, China, and Singapore, Gunderson Dettmer LLP is distinguished by its exclusive focus on the venture capital and emerging companies sphere. The team’s comprehensive skill set covers the full start-up lifecycle, from incorporations through to financing, M&A, and governance matters, while it is also well versed in representing investors across the gamut of operational and transactional issues. From Boston, corporate and securities law partner Marc Dupre heads the department; he is particularly active on behalf of entrepreneurs, companies, and investors operating in the technology and life sciences sectors. The Boston office also draws on David Gammell, who is noted for his close relationships with venture-backed company founders; and office managing partner Jay Hachigian, whose extensive experience spans work for hundreds of start-ups through all stages of growth. In Silicon Valley, Ivan Gaviria specializes in advising venture-backed technology entities on company formations through to exit-related issues. In New York, Kenneth McVay is sought after by both companies and investors to provide support on transactions involving the media, internet, software, and e-commerce industries, among others.

Favored for its ability to utilize its premier technology and life sciences offerings, Latham & Watkins LLP’s emerging companies and venture capital practice acts for an array of start-ups and growth companies on formations through to funding and exit transactions. The team also represents venture capital funds and other financial institutions on investment and exit strategies. In Silicon Valley, emerging companies chair Benjamin Potter is the key contact for a raft of start-up technology, fintech, healthcare, and life sciences clients; he recently advised Eigen Labs on its $100m Series B financing. Rounding out the lead partners are global department vice chairs Brian Patterson, who sits in San Francisco, and Haim Zaltzman, who splits his time between New York, San Francisco and Silicon Valley. In Century City, Alex Voxman is equipped to advise emerging companies and venture capital funds on the full suite of corporate, M&A, and financing matters, while in Boston Stephen Ranere specializes in venture capital and corporate transactions in the technology and life sciences sectors. Also in Boston, John Chory handles both company formations and subsequent IPOs. The group was boosted in 2024 by the hire of three new partners in San Francisco: duo Seth Gottlieb and Alex Kassai joined from Cooley LLP, while Zachary Fallon joined from technology-focused firm, Ketsal.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP’s reputation as a go-to practice for technology start-ups is evidenced by its representation of around 5000 high-growth tech practices globally. On the company side, the team acts for emerging names in the life sciences, food and beverage, and consumer products spheres, while on the investor front it enjoys relationships with numerous venture capital funds, as well as other strategic investors. From Silicon Valley, John Bautista spearheads the international technology companies practice and recently led on mandates for Etched.AI, Stripe, and Digital Therapeutics, among other clients. In San Francisco, Amanda Galton serves as deputy head of the corporate business unit and supports high-growth companies and investors across a myriad of corporate, finance, commercial, and governance issues. Santa Monica-based Josh Pollick co-chairs the technology companies group and strikes a balance between company- and investor-side transactions. Also recommended in Silicon Valley are Stephen Venuto, who co-leads the technology sector area, and firm chairman Mitchell Zuklie, who contributes niche expertise in AI-related work. The team was further strengthened in March 2024 through the arrival of New York-based technology specialist Josh Beser, who joined from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.

Dentons’ international network is a recurring theme among clients and one testifies that few peer firms ‘can boast of a strong venture capital/emerging companies practice together with such a global reach’. Among its other key attributes, the team stands out for its experience across all key high-growth spheres, including AI, cybersecurity, climate-tech, fintech and digital health. The global group is driven out of New York by Victor Boyajian, who specializes in acting for emerging technology companies, along with large-cap entities, and investors on financings and corporate matters. The New York team also draws on emerging companies specialist Chris Errico, who is ‘as sharp as they come’, and James Jasaitis, who has a focus on corporate and finance transactions in the high-tech sphere. In Miami, Jackson Hwu is recommended for his cross-border, primarily Brazil-related work.

According to clients, DLA Piper LLP (US)’s unique service levels ‘makes it feel like you are being represented by a boutique law firm’. Active on behalf of both investors and emerging companies, the practice is notably weighted towards the former, where it acts for a formidable roster of venture capital entities such as Bessemer Venture Partners and Edison Partners. Washington DC-based Jeffrey Lehrer heads up the US emerging growth and venture capital group and has a strong cross-border dimension to his practice; he recently advised Sweden-headquartered EQT Ventures on six venture funding investments. New York-based department vice chair Charles Torres strikes a balance between company- and investor-side work, while fellow vice-chair Richard Bull , based in San Diego, contributes a strong record in representing venture capital funds. Other key contacts include Silicon Valley-based corporate and securities specialist Curtis Mo; San Diego-based Randy Socol, who specializes in transactions involving the life sciences and technology sectors; and New York-based Adam Brenner, who demonstrates ‘deep understanding of business models’. February 2025 saw Frances Mosley joined the firm's Palo Alto office from WilmerHale.

‘Experienced in working across different company stages’, Morrison Foerster’s emerging companies practice is also lauded for its ability to ‘mentor inexperienced management teams’. Primarily sought after by start-ups and investors in the technology sector, where it can join up with the wider firm’s top-tier industry offering, it also demonstrates strong activity in the life sciences, and food and beverage arenas. The team added a raft of new clients during 2023/24 on the back of of a series of high-profile lateral hires. Most notably, new department co-chair Peter Fusco joined in New York from Goodwin, while ‘impeccable lawyer’ Chuck Cotter arrived in Denver from Holland & Hart LLP. The department is additionally co-led from San Francisco by high-profile industry specialist Michael Glaser, whose ‘counsel is always incisive and on point’, and Murray Indick, who provides full-spectrum advice to start-ups, growth companies, and investors. In Palo Alto, Timothy Harris is noted for his advice to companies and investors on venture capital financings, corporate governance, and technology development. Jim Krenn is an accomplished partner in San Diego.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is well positioned to advise on emerging company matters involving heavily regulated industries due to the firm’s unique skill sets in government contracts, technology, and aerospace and defense. In New York, department co-chair Ronald Fleming acts for start-ups and financiers across a broad scope of venture capital transactions, securities offerings, M&A, and general corporate matters. Steven Kaplan co-heads the practice from Washington DC, where he guides start-ups through every growth stage. Rounding out the group co-chairs is Silicon Valley-based Stan Lewandowski, who enjoys close relationships with domestic and international companies and funders. From San Francisco, Justin Hovey fronts the technology and media industry group and acts for clients in the AI, cybersecurity, games, social media, online advertising, and entertainment spheres. Paul Casas co-heads the corporate venture capital unit from San Francisco and recently advised AT&T Ventures on multiple investments into emerging companies. Also recommended are Silicon Valley-based Allison Leopold Tilley, who handles financing rounds for both companies and venture capital funds, and New York-based Taylor O’Toole.

Among WilmerHale’s industry strong suits, the start-ups and emerging companies group excels in life sciences-related work, where it teams up with the firm’s life sciences offering to provide full-service transactional and regulatory support. It additionally leverages its regulatory expertise to handle a steady stream of matters involving the technology, aerospace, and energy spheres. In New York, department co-chair Gary Schall acts for a mix of entrepreneurs, start-ups, and venture capital funds on the full range of corporate and finance transactions. Daniel Zimmermann co-chairs the practice from Palo Alto, where his recent work includes representing start-ups in the AI, life sciences, and aerospace sectors on financings across various funding stages. Boston-based Mick Bain spearheads the transactional department and recently led a $290.3m Series B financing for Sierra Space Corporation. Other recommended practitioners include corporate and securities partner Jason Kropp, also in Boston. Frances Mosley departed the firm in February 2025.

Jones Day is relied on by both emerging companies and investors to assist with financings, from seed to late stage, as well as corporate deals, securities offerings, and IPOs. From Chicago, Michael Earley steers the overarching private equity practice and is noted for venture capital work, including exit transactions. Timothy Curry operates from San Francisco and Silicon Valley and counts an exhaustive list of technology companies, at all growth stages, among his clients. Taylor Stevens splits his time between San Diego and Silicon Valley and specializes in supporting emerging and established technology and life sciences companies on finance and corporate transactions. The team also includes San Diego-based Cameron Reese, who handles M&A and venture capital work; Atlanta’s William Zawrotny, who focuses on life sciences and technology transactions; and Alexandre Wibaux, who sits in the New York and Paris offices and is highly rated for cross-border matters.

King & Spalding LLP’s well-balanced practice garners a steady stream of engagements for both companies and investors, while its diversified sector expertise encompasses the technology, aerospace, life sciences, financial services, and energy spheres. From Silicon Valley, Laura Bushnell serves as global co-chair of the technology corporate group; she specializes in representing growth companies, from start-ups through to mid-cap public entities, on capital raising, strategic transactions, and corporate governance. Fellow co-chair Tom Knox splits his time between Washington DC and northern Virginia, where he acts for venture capital-backed companies and their investors on the full gamut of corporate, finance, and investment matters. Also noted are Miami-based Daniel Kahan, who handled a string of financings during 2023/24 for both investors and start-ups; northern Virginia-based Charles Katz, whose practice spans M&A, private equity, and venture capital investments; and Silicon Valley’s Linda Lorenat, who focuses on transactions involving the technology and life sciences industries.

Utilizing the firm’s thriving life sciences offering, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is primarily active on behalf of investors and emerging companies in transactions involving the digital health, pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, and ag-tech spheres, among others. The team is driven out of Philadelphia by Jeffrey Bodle, whose practice is geared towards advising high-growth companies, as well as seed, venture capital, and private equity investors, on the full suite of finance, capital markets, and compliance matters. Silicon Valley-based John Park serves as deputy department head; during 2023/24 he handled a string of investor-side mandates for clients such as Samsung Venture Investment Corporation and Translink Capital. In Princeton, seasoned veteran Steven Cohen contributes experience in representing entrepreneurs, private equity investors, and venture capital funds on equity financings, M&A, and securities offerings. Boston-based Julio Vega is also noted for his work on behalf of start-ups and investors in the life sciences and technology fields.

The venture capital and emerging markets practice at Choate, Hall & Stewart sits within the firm’s wider private equity and M&A offering and is particularly oriented towards investor-side work. The Boston-based team acts for an extensive roster of investment funds and venture capital clients on transactions involving the technology, life sciences, and health industries, while also bringing experience in supporting high-growth companies on financings, corporate transactions, and commercial matters. Key contacts include senior counsel Brian Goldstein, who advises investors and start-ups on an array of financings, M&A, and partnerships and licensing agreements; Tobin Sullivan, who specializes in advising investors and high-growth companies on corporate and securities transactions; and private equity specialists Brian Lenihan and John Pitfield.

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. works in concert with its specialist life sciences, technology, and private equity groups to provide full-spectrum advice to emerging companies. The team also maintains strong relationships with investors, with its recent work spanning engagements for funds and family offices, as well as for the corporate investment arms of major technology companies and financial institutions. New York-based technology specialist Daniel DeWolf co-heads the practice and is sought after by clients from across the national and international start-up ecosystem. Jeremy Glaser co-chairs the practice from Los Angeles, where he supports founders in financings, IPOs, and M&A. In Boston, Samuel Effron rounds out the department co-chairs; he specializes in venture capital and private securities transactions.

Hailed by some as a ‘first call for deals and sensitive issues’, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP’s sizeable emerging companies practice possesses the resources to handle large exits via M&A transactions, alongside financing rounds and general corporate work. The group additionally stands out for its cross-border firepower, with dual New York- and Brazil-qualified Leandro Molina a key contact for Latin American clients - he splits his time between New York and Miami. The department is led jointly by New York-based Joe Daniels, who focuses on advising start-ups and investors on transactions in the technology, life sciences, and consumer products areas, and Atlanta-based Paul Rothstein, who supports emerging and growth stage companies on corporate and financing matters. Clients also highlight Atlanta’s George Akers for ‘balancing business needs with risks’.

According to clients, Brown Rudnick LLP’s thriving emerging companies practice ‘wants to help start-ups grow and make smart decisions’. Alongside its company-side offering, the team handles a high volume of venture capital transactions on behalf of investors, including venture capital and private equity funds. The increasingly active department is co-led by New York-based Jared Sorin, who has a focus on transactions involving technology; Washington DC-based Andrew Sherman, who supports start-ups on franchising, licensing, and corporate transactions; and life sciences specialist Michael Cohen, who sits in Boston. New York’s Matthew Uretsky is also noted for his ability to ‘build relationships with start-ups and founders’.

The ‘responsive and collaborative’ team at Holland & Knight leverages the firm’s strong relationships with institutional investors to shine in advising venture capital funds and private equity clients on investment transactions. On the company front, the group supports entrepreneurs on formation, funding, and securities matters. From Century City, Tim Poydenis co-heads the department and acts for both growth companies and investors on fundraisings, acquisitions, exits, and governance issues. Boston is the seat of fellow national co-head Jeffrey Seul, who additionally chairs the technology and telecoms area; he frequently represents technology start-ups in financing rounds. From Miami, Danielle Price and Enrique Conde co-head the practice for south Florida.

Katten’s alternative funds practice marks it as a key contender for investor-side work, where it represents hedge funds, venture capital funds, and family offices on funding rounds and investment transactions. The group also counts a mix of entrepreneurs and early-stage companies among its clients, with a focus on entities operating in the life sciences, technology, and energy fields. Chicago-based duo Matthew Brown and Jeffrey Patt co-head the practice, both specializing in advising owners and investors on raising capital, M&A, and general corporate matters. In New York, Roger Griesmeyer is noted for his focus on representing private equity and venture capital funds.

‘Quick to find solutions to challenging situations’, Mayer Brown is distinguished by ability to act in tandem with the firm’s fintech practice to represent early-stage companies in that sphere. The team also represents investors and start-ups in transactions concerning the technology, life sciences, and consumer products fields, among others. Department head Paul Chen splits his time between Silicon Valley and San Francisco, where he advises founders, buyers, sellers, and investors on early-to-late stage investments. In Salt Lake City, Mark Bonham handles the full chain of start-up and venture capital work, with an emphasis on financing, licensing and exit strategy. Clients also highlight ‘amazing advocate’ Aaron Murdock in Salt Lake City.

Ropes & Gray LLP’s dominant life sciences offering is reflected in its venture capital practice and it supports life sciences start-ups and later-stage entities on financings, M&A, and exit transactions. The group also undertakes work for venture capital funds, private equity clients, and strategic investors, including the venture capital arms of major pharmaceutical multinationals. A trio of Boston-based partners co-head the team: Bradford Flint advises life sciences and technology companies and investors on an array of formation, financing, and corporate matters, while Marc Rubenstein and Rajarshi Banerjee specialize in life sciences and IP-related work. Private funds co-head Melissa Bender is also noted; she operates from San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

Counting hundreds of US and foreign start-ups among its clients, Sidley Austin LLP’s recent company-side work spans early- and late-stage investments, venture financings, and M&A transactions, while it also assists with IP and day-to-day matters. The group additionally houses a robust investor-side offering, which was reinforced in June 2024 by the arrival of new venture funds head Shane Goudey, who joined in Palo Alto from Cooley LLP. The national practice is driven out of Palo Alto by department co-chairs Idan Netser, who helped start-up and venture capital clients to raise and invest more than $2.8bn during 2024, and Martin Wellington, who has been particularly active on behalf of tech companies of late.

Clients of Wiggin and Dana LLP praise its combination of ‘large-firm resources and capabilities with small-firm client attention’. This is exemplified by its wiggin(x) offering, a standalone division within the firm designed to provide specialist multidisciplinary advice to emerging companies and investors. The national practice is led jointly by New York-based Len Gray and Stamford-based Jack Sousa, both of whom specialize in representing growth companies, venture capital funds, and private equity clients in corporate, finance, and securities matters. In New Haven, Evan Kipperman handles a steady stream of financing rounds for both growth-stage companies and investors, while Adam Silverman is also noted for his ‘exceptional service’.