Cooley LLP has an ‘incredibly knowledgeable, innovative and cost-efficient‘ technology transactions practice with a huge client base among emerging companies in the tech and life sciences sectors. The full-service offering covers all corners of the market, from high-end M&A support through to complex IP and licensing arrangements and partnership agreements. Testament to the firm’s market status is the impressive list of fast-growing household names it represents, including Netflix, Avant, Zoom Video Communications, and Instacart. TJ Graham chairs the overall practice, with Len Jacoby (‘incredibly thorough and creative‘) leading the New York side. Other key individuals include Tracy Rubin (‘super sharp on cutting edge questions‘), Adam Ruttenberg and Adam Chase in Washington DC, and Thomas Connors in Boston. Denver-based Keith Berets is also noted, namely for his prowess in fintech, renewable energy, hardware and food-related deals, among others. All lawyers based in Silicon Valley unless otherwise stated.
Technology transactions in United States
Cooley LLP
Practice head(s):
TJ Graham
Other key lawyers:
Len Jacoby; Adam Ruttenberg; Adam Chase; Tracy Rubin; Thomas Connors; Keith Berets
Testimonials
‘Tracy Rubin was great to work with on several M&A transactions. She’s super sharp on cutting edge questions and extremely responsive.’
‘Cooley’s tech transactions practice is incredibly knowledgeable, innovative and cost-efficient. They take the time to understand my business’ objectives – and then exactly tailor their counsel with creative, complete solutions.’
‘Len Jacoby is the single, most capable and intelligent IP attorney with whom I have ever worked. He has directly contributed to my companies’ successes over 25 years – across a variety of IP transactions and industries. He is incredibly thorough and creative – all at a reasonable cost.’
Key clients
One Medical
Frontline Education
Baylis Medical
Instacart
IEX Group
NovoDynamics
Zoom Video Communications
Netflix
Twilo
TCGPlayer
Perchwell
Avant
MoonPay
ArtBlocks
Battery Ventures
Work highlights
- Advised One Medical, a human-centered, technology-powered national primary care organization, on a definitive merger agreement under which Amazon will acquire One Medical for $18 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $3.9 billion.
- Represented Frontline Education in its $3.7 billion sale to Roper Technologies.
- Advised Baylis Medical on its $1.75 billion sale to Boston Scientific.
Fenwick & West LLP
Fenwick & West LLP has a ‘pragmatic, competent, and responsive‘ group which is packed with lawyers who have ‘unrivalled expertise in the tech sector‘. Over 70% of the firm’s client base operates within the technology sector, with M&A, IP and licensing among its three key areas of focus. Within these, the team advises on strategic IP transactions, commercial contracts, open source and privacy issues. Jennifer Stanley and Jonathan Millard co-chair the practice that fields a highly experienced and deep bench of transactional lawyers. Key partners include Jake Handy and Ralph Pais (San Francisco) on the IP licensing and commercialization side. David Hayes in San Francisco has built an extremely prominent name, while corporate partners Steven Levine (‘super easy to work with and extremely responsive‘) and New York’s Ethan Skerry (‘great advice on the growth equity world‘) also attract praise. All partners based in Silicon Valley unless otherwise stated.
Practice head(s):
Jonathan Millard; Jennifer Stanley
Other key lawyers:
David Hayes; Ralph Pais; Jake Handy; Steven Levine; Ethan Skerry
Testimonials
‘Great to have experts in the VC world and growth equity world under the same roof. They moved quickly for us.’
‘Ethan Skerry gave great advice on the growth equity world and managed most of our process. Steven Levine was very helpful for understanding the VC world.’
‘Pragmatic, competent, and responsive– I keep coming back to Fenwick due to the team they have built and their unrivaled expertise in the tech sector.’
Key clients
Amazon.com
AppLovin Corporation
Bill
Cisco Systems
Coinbase Global
Figma
The Gearbox Entertainment Company
Goldstar Events
Instacart
Netflix
OpenAI
OSIsoft
Peloton Interactive
Securonix
Tencent
Twilio
Universe
Vocera Communications
Yuga Labs
Work highlights
- Represented Figma, a leading web-first collaborative design platform, in its pending $20 billion acquisition by Adobe (Nasdaq: ADBE), in the largest ever sale of a private technology company.
- Advised Vocera Communications on its definitive agreement to be acquired by Stryker for a total equity value of approximately $2.97 billion and a total enterprise value of approximately $3.9 billion.
- Represented AppLovin Corporation in its definitive agreement to acquire Twitter’s MoPub business for approximately $1 billion.
Goodwin
Goodwin has a multi-faceted technology team with strong credentials for the full range of transactional matters. The firm has an excellent track record in IP transactions, including licensing, collaboration and joint venture agreements, as well as broader cross-border deals and high-level M&A support. Data privacy and cyber-security are other areas of expertise. The team was particularly active on the corporate and private equity acquisition side in the past year and helped advise Pixomondo on acquisition by Sony Pictures Entertainment from Mayfair Equity Partners. The group is co-chaired by corporate partner Anthony McCusker in Silicon Valley, Kenneth Gordon and John Egan. Other key partners include David Cappillo, who co-leads the firm’s healthcare practice, and Alessandra Simons in San Francisco. Stephen Charkoudian also provides the group with long-standing expertise, having co-founded the practice. All lawyers are based in Boston unless otherwise stated.
Practice head(s):
Kenneth Gordon; John Egan; Anthony McCusker
Other key lawyers:
Stephen Charkoudian; Alessandra Simons
Key clients
Toast
Mavrck
PsiQuantum
Markforged
Workato
Phreesia
Olo
Sailpoint Technologies
Citrix Systems
Coalition
FrontApp
Salsify
Hopin
Circle
Emergetech
Dutchie
Stack Capital Group
iRobot Corporation
Klayvio
Work highlights
- Advised Citrix Systems in its $16.5 billion sale to Vista Equity Partners and Evergreen Coast Capital.
- Advised SailPoint Technologies Holdings in its sale to Thoma Bravo in an all-cash transaction that values SailPoint at approximately $6.9 billion.
- Advised Pixomondo on its acquisition by Sony Pictures Entertainment from Mayfair Equity Partners.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
The transactions group at Kirkland & Ellis LLP is best known for its support on high value technology-related corporate and private equity M&A deals, particularly those where IP assets are a key driver. This transactional expertise extends to distressed situations, including company restructurings and insolvencies. The highly experienced team also does a considerable amount of standalone technology work, including IP licensing, collaboration agreements, strategic alliances and technology outsourcing deals. Recent examples include assisting Firefly Aerospace on a collaboration with Northrop Grumman Corporation for an upgrade to Northrop’s Antares rocket and a new medium launch vehicle. The firm has a deep bench of specialist partners, including Chicago’s Seth Traxler, Neil Hirshman and Matthew Lovell, all of whom have a strong focus on IP and technology transactions. The San Francisco-based partner John Lynn has also developed extremely good credentials in this area.
Other key lawyers:
Neil Hirshman; Seth Traxler; Matthew Lovell; John Lynn
Key clients
Accenture
Avaya Holdings
The Blackstone Group International Partners
Bristol Myers Squibb
Celanese Corporation
Charter Communications
Danaher Corp
Eli Lilly and Company
McDonald’s Corporation
Naver
Nexstar Media Group
PowerSchool Group
Redwire
SSM Health
StubHub Holdings
Thoma Bravo, LP
Verizon Communications
Victoria’s Secret
Vista Equity Partners
Wyndham Destinations
Work highlights
- Advising Naver Corp., Korea’s leading internet company and a top 50 global technology company by market capitalization, on its acquisition of Poshmark, a deal representing an equity value of approximately $1.6 billion and an enterprise value of approximately $1.2 billion.
- Advised McDonald’s on its agreement with IBM to accelerate the development of McDonald’s Automated Order Taking (AOT) technology, a deal that included IBM’s acquisition of McD Tech Labs which develops employee- and customer-facing innovations such as AOT.
- Counseled AEA-Bridges Impact Corp., a SPAC with a dedicated sustainability focus, on its $1.77 billion business combination under which LiveWire, Harley-Davidson’s electric motorcycle division, combined with ABIC to create a new public company.
Latham & Watkins LLP
Latham & Watkins LLP has a ‘very knowledgeable, responsive and practical‘ team which is packed with ‘accountable and thoughtful advisors‘ who are ‘well informed on the market and what the standards are for NFTs, Web3.0 and other developing technology‘. Clients appreciate the team’s adaptability, with experience ranging from high-end corporate and private equity M&A support, through to advice on IP licensing, outsourcing and strategic collaboration mandates. Notable recent highlights include advising Marcolin, a leading global eyewear manufacturer, on the negotiation of a long-term license with The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) for TOM FORD eyewear, as part of ELC’s $2.8 billion acquisition of TOM FORD. Boston-based global vice chair Sarah Gagan is one of the lead partners in the US. Other key individuals include Anthony Klein in Silicon Valley whose ‘knowledge of the technology industry is unmatched’, Ghaith Mahmoud in Los Angeles, and highly rated counsel Kieran Dickinson in Washington DC.
Practice head(s):
Sarah Gagan
Other key lawyers:
Anthony Klein; Ghaith Mahmood; Kieran Dickinson
Testimonials
‘The Latham team is very knowledgeable, responsive and practical. They have been great partners for us over the last 10 years.’
‘They are great negotiators, understand the market, focus on the important things and are very practical. They are also extremely hard-working and responsive – they make me feel like I am the only client (which I know I am not)’
‘They are the most accountable and thoughtful advisors I’ve ever worked with.’
‘The Latham Partners that we have worked with use their specialized skill sets effectively across a broad spectrum of sectors to accelerate and protect the company’s business.’
‘The knowledge, skill sets, and adaptability to the company’s unique needs are unmatched in our experience working with top 100 law firms. Kieran Dickinson’s ability to take highly complex licensing structures and apply them to our group of companies has created a solid yet flexible foundation for the future.’
‘Anthony (“Tony”) Klein has been an individual that we consider a key partner in the industry. His understanding and knowledge of in the technology industry is unmatched and his ability to understand emerging trends and utilize them to our advantage is an extremely valuable asset to the Company.’
‘The team is uniquely knowledgeable about cutting edge technology transactions. They are well informed on the market and what the standards are for NFTs, Web3.0 and other developing technology. They are also exceedingly experienced in video game agreements and the video game industry (which I have found to be rare).’
‘Ghaith Mahmood and the team are responsive, knowledgeable, and experienced. I greatly trust their advice and I appreciate their guidance. I cannot emphasize enough how much better they are than every other law firm I’ve tried for advice and assistance in this sector.’
Key clients
Advanced Micro Devices
Airbnb
Amphenol Corp.
Apex Technology
ArchiMed
Autograph
Binance
Chevron USA
Clarify Health Solutions
Crimson Renewable Energy
Dapper Labs
Fandom, Inc.
Hyundai Motor Corporation
Intuitive Machines
Intuity Medical, Inc.
KKR
Leonard Green & Partners
Linode
Lucid Energy Group II
Madison Dearborn Partners
Meta Platforms, Inc.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Holdings, Inc.
Mojito, Inc.
NVIDIA
One Rock Capital
Ouster, Inc.
Plastiq, Inc.
Polygon Studios
RealBlocks
Silicon Motion Technology Corporation
Tower Semiconductor
Viasat
Work highlights
- Advised Marcolin in the negotiation of a long-term license with The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) for TOM FORD eyewear, as part of ELC’s US$2.8 billion acquisition of TOM FORD, expected to close during H1 2023.
- Advised multiple clients in developments surrounding NFTs, Blockchain, the Metaverse and Web 3.0 and their convergence with intellectual property and commercial law, including Dapper Labs, Meta Platforms, Inc., Autograph and The Chainsmokers.
- Advised multiple clients in the semiconductor space including Tower Semiconductor, Silicon Motion Technology Corporation and Advanced Micro Devices on the complex diligence, negotiations and compliance matters linked to their strategic transactions, acquisitions and investments.
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has extremely good experience representing companies and investors operating in the technology and life sciences industries. The team has developed good credentials for standalone technology and IP deals, including advice on patent acquisitions and divestitures, licensing arrangements, research and development collaborations, and technology and IP-focused joint ventures and strategic alliances. A recent highlight included advising Eli Lilly and Company on a license agreement to acquire exclusive global rights to antibody-drug conjugates for the targeted treatment of cancer from ImmunoGen. This expertise feeds through into the broader support the team provides to the corporate finance group, including advice on corporate M&A and private equity buyouts, banking and finance transactions, and restructuring matters. Jeffrey Osterman and Charan Sandhu jointly lead the market-leading team, which also includes Karen Ballack in Silicon Valley, and the department’s founder and former head, Michael Epstein. All partners are based in New York unless otherwise stated.
Practice head(s):
Jeffrey Osterman; Charan Sandhu; Karen Ballack
Key clients
Advent International
Allego Holding B.V.
American Securities
Avista Capital Partners
Bain Capital Private Equity
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
Blackstone
Briggs & Stratton Corporation
Brookfield
ChargePoint, Inc.
Churchill Capital Group
Cornell Capital
Eli Lilly and Company
Exide Technologies
Getty Images Inc.
Goldman Sachs
The Gores Group
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.
Hologic, Inc.
Iron Mountain Incorporated
L’Oréal USA
Magellan Health, Inc.
Main Event Entertainment, Inc.
Marquee Raine Acquisition Corp.
Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
MGM Resorts International
Micron Technology, Inc.
MSP Recovery, LLC
NEOGEN Corporation
Northrop Grumman
NPC International Inc.
The Progeria Research Foundation
Providence Equity Partners
PSG
Sanofi
SiriusXM
Skillsoft Corporation
TPG
Trebia Acquisition Corp.
Vonage Holdings Corp.
Work highlights
- Advised MSP Recovery, LLC, on the technology & IP aspects of its $32.6 billion business combination with Lionheart Acquisition Corp. II, a SPAC sponsored by Lionheart Equities and Nomura Securities International.
- Advised Maxim Integrated Products, a designer, developer and manufacturer of integrated circuits, on the technology and IP aspects of its $27.5 billion sale to Analog Devices, in a transaction that valued the combined enterprise at over $68 billion.
- Advised Gores Guggenheim, a SPAC sponsored by affiliates of The Gores Group and Guggenheim Capital, on its $20 billion business combination with Polestar Performance AB (Sweden).
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is praised for bringing ‘significant experience that uniquely adds traditional intellectual property and commercial data licensing and privacy to provide full service, experienced counsel on modern issues‘. The firm’s market leading M&A practice invariably leads to a significant amount of corporate transactional support, with deals such as advising CyrusOne on its $15 billion takeover by KKR and Global Infrastructure Partners. The firm’s capacity for more pure technology transactional matters can be seen in its advice to IBM on its agreement with McDonald’s to accelerate the development and deployment of its Automated Order Taking technology in a deal which involved the acquisition of McD Tech Labs. IP co-head David Kappos combines well with global co-head George Schoen to form a compelling offering. Corporate partner Keith Hallam is another key name within the team.
Practice head(s):
David Kappos; George Schoen
Other key lawyers:
Keith Hallam
Testimonials
‘Cravath’s team brings significant experience that uniquely adds traditional intellectual property and commercial data licensing and privacy to provide full service, experienced counsel on modern issues.’
‘The individuals have sufficient experience that I believe they have seen all issues before – so we do not have to train them on technology transactions.’
Key clients
ADT
Afterpay
Amazon.com
IBM
Just Eat Takeaway.com
Light & Wonder
Micro Focus
Pitney Bowes
Qualcomm
RELX
Robotic Research
Swvl
Thermo Fisher
Work highlights
- Represented Scientific Games (n/k/a Light & Wonder) in the $6.05 billion sale of SG Lottery to Brookfield and the $1.2billion sale of OpenBet to Endeavor.
- Represented Robotic Research in its $228million Series A financing round, consisting of a private placement of class A preferred shares led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2.
- Representing Just Eat Takeaway.com in its commercial partnership with Amazon.
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP has a comprehensive technology and outsourcing practice that works on standalone matters, as well as in conjunction with the firm’s broader M&A department. Key areas of expertise include the licensing of IP and technology assets, collaboration, branding and sponsorship agreements, as well as advice on research and development, and joint ventures. Notable standalone highlights include advising Grubhub on its partnership with Buyk, a grocery delivery service, which allows customers to make purchases from Buyk locations on Grubhub’s proprietary ordering systems. Frank Azzopardi leads the well-regarded New York-based team. He is backed by Pritesh Shah, who advises on IP, data privacy and technology matters. in addition to Matthew Bacal who has good experience of strategic licensing, development and outsourcing agreements.
Practice head(s):
Frank Azzopardi
Other key lawyers:
Pritesh Shah; Matthew Bacal
Work highlights
DLA Piper LLP (US)
DLA Piper LLP (US) is commended for fielding a team of ‘very strong corporate transaction attorneys with significant relationships across growth capital’. In addition to advising on IP and technology-driven corporate and private equity M&A, the lawyers have good experience of cross-border IT and strategic sourcing transactions across a range of technologies, including AI, the Internet of Things, and blockchain. The multidisciplinary team also handles IP licensing and collaboration deals, and assists clients on complex international data transfer agreements. Chicago-based partner Vincent Sanchez is the global co-chair of the firm’s technology transactions. Key partners include Victoria Lee, managing partner of the firm’s Silicon Valley office and former global co-chair of the firm’s technology sector group. Clients also recommend the ‘always available‘ corporate finance partner Randy Socol in San Diego. Gregory Manter (San Diego) also has a good track record for outsourcing matters.
Practice head(s):
Vincent Sanchez
Other key lawyers:
Victoria Lee; Randy Socol; Gregory Manter
Testimonials
‘Very strong corporate transaction attorneys with significant relationships across growth capital.’
‘Randy Socol is always available.’
Key clients
TikTok
Wipro Ltd.
Netflix
CoreLogic
Qualcomm Incorporated
Softbank Group Corporation
HCL Technologies
Paylocity
DocuSign
Work highlights
- Represented Microsoft’s corporate venture capital fund in multiple venture funding investments during the past 12 months.
- Represented Softbank’s corporate venture capital fund (Softbank Vision Fund) in more than 20 venture funding investments during the past 12 months.
- Represented QUALCOMM in numerous M&A transactions during the past 12 months.
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is praised for its ‘clear depth of experience‘ and its ability to always ‘help find creative alternatives to the most complex of situations‘. Clients also credit the firm for being ‘a true business advisor that can help you think through the business impact of the legal decisions‘. The practice has a strong focus on the full range of IP transactions and licensing agreements, as well as other forms of outsourcing and commercial contracts. Coupled with this is a high level of support on technology-related M&A across multiple sub-sectors, including telecoms, cleantech, semiconductor devices., social media and software. Boston-based global practice head Doneld Shelkey has a good track record in cloud-based technologies, NFTs, robotics, data analytics and blockchain. Other key partners include Barbara Melby in Philadelphia and Rahul Kapoor in Silicon Valley, who leads the West Coast practice. New York corporate partner Sheryl Orr is particularly active on the M&A side.
Practice head(s):
Doneld Shelkey
Other key lawyers:
Barbara Melby; Rahul Kapoor; Sheryl Orr
Testimonials
‘Clear depth of experience, always able to help find creative alternatives to the most complex of situations, an understanding of the importance of legal strategy in managing company initiatives phase by phase.’
‘What I appreciate about the legal team at Morgan Lewis is that they provide me sound guidance on not simply the pure legal issues affecting my company, but how the legal strategy/ approach can further assist my business partners in achieving their goals.’
Key clients
AES Corporation
AmerisourceBergen
Aras Corporation
Axon Enterprise, Inc.
Becton Dickinson
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana
Colgate-Palmolive
DigitalBridge Group, Inc.
Elevance Heath (fka Anthem)
Embecta
GW Lisk Co., Inc.
Independence Blue Cross (IBC)
Ingram Micro
Merck
New Imagitas (a Red Ventures portfolio company)
Omnispace
Oracle
Ortholite
OTO Systems, Inc.
Platinum Equity
Ravenswood Solutions
Relay Networks
Sabre
Samsung
SanDisk
Sandvik, Inc.
SEI
SpotOn Transact
Third Point Ventures
Turtle Beach
Vanguard
Western Digital (SanDisk)
Xperi Corporation
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.
ZOA Energy, LLC
Work highlights
- Representing Sabre, a leading software and technology provider that powers the global travel industry, in several transactions, including the negotiation of a 10-year strategic partnership with Google as Sabre’s preferred cloud provider.
- Representing Vanguard, the wealth management giant, in its 10-year strategic partnership with Infosys that is designed to deliver a technology-driven approach to DC plan administration and fundamentally reshape the corporate retirement plan experience for Vanguard’s 1,500 plan sponsors and 5 million participants.
- Representing Avalon Corp, an electronics entertainment start-up developing patentable technology to deliver a metaverse style gaming experience primarily leveraging blockchain technologies.
Morrison Foerster
Morrison Foerster has an all-encompassing technology practice with a good track record for representing global clients on cross-border transactions. Patent and technology licensing and acquisitions feature prominently on the agenda, as does advice on joint ventures and development projects, outsourcing, strategic alliances, and distribution and supply agreements. The team also has good credentials for support on related M&A and private equity work, and is noted for its strong portfolio of Asia-based technology clients. Aaron Rubin leads the team from the well-stocked San Francisco office, which also includes Tessa Schwartz , William Schwartz, Justin Haan and firm chair and corporate partner Eric McCrath. Other key partners include Stephanie Sharron and Daphne Higgs in Silicon Valley, Vivian Hanson in New York and Matthew Karlyn in Boston.
Practice head(s):
Aaron Rubin
Other key lawyers:
Vivian Hanson; Stephanie Sharron; Tessa Schwartz; William Schwartz; Eric McCrath; Justin Haan; Daphne Higgs
Key clients
Autodesk
BOOK Token
eBay
Gemini Trust
onsemi
Salesforce
SoftBank
Uber Technologies
Unity Software
VMware
Work highlights
- Advised Unity, a leading platform for creating and operating interactive, real-time 3D (RT3D) content, in connection with its approximately $4.4 billion acquisition of ironSource, a leading mobile content and business platform.
- Represented SoftBank Group and SoftBank Vision Fund in the proposed $65 billion sale of UK-headquartered multinational semiconductor and software design company Arm Limited to U.S. chip company NVIDIA.
- Advised Endurance Acquisition Corp. on its $813 million combination with SatixFy Communications Ltd., an Israeli vertically integrated fabless semiconductor chip company for next-generation satellite communication systems.
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP has built up an enviable client base which includes some of the world’s largest technology companies, from major global giants to recent startups and disruptors. The team’s breadth ensures that it can handle the full range of needs, with advice on transactional IP and licensing, outsourcing and service agreements, as well as corporate finance support in M&A, joint ventures and financings. The team is regularly advises on emerging technologies including AI-driven products, cryptocurrency and NFTs, and autonomous driving. The energy tech side has also been busy, with the firm advising Fulcrum BioEnergy on its development, custom engineering and catalyst supply agreements for developing waste to fuel plants. Daniel Yost and Sarah Schaedler jointly lead the team, which includes corporate partners Colleen McDuffie and David Schulman in Washington DC, IP licensing partner Shana Solomon in Boston, and Daniel Forester in New York.
Practice head(s):
Daniel Yost; Sarah Schaedler
Other key lawyers:
Colleen McDuffie; David Schulman; Daniel Forester; Shana Solomon;
Key clients
Weta Digital
Occidental Petroleum Corp.
Luminar
Fulcrum BioEnergy
Trimble
Turn/River Capital
Shopify
Gap
Mina Foundation
Twist Bioscience
Bayer
Ferring Pharmaceuticals
Volastra Therapeutics
Descartes Labs
Serve Robotics
Work highlights
- Advised Weta Digital on the sale of its VFX technology division to Unity Software for $1.625 billion in a combination of cash and Unity stock.
- Advised Occidental Petroleum, a market leader in underground storage and enhanced oil recovery, on the commercialization of Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage technology to capture CO2 from the air and permanently sequester it underground.
- Advised Luminar Technologies, a leading lidar autonomous driving technology company, on its merger with Gores Metropoulos, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).
Venable LLP
Venable LLP has a cross-departmental technology, media and commercial group spread throughout the firm’s corporate and IP transactions departments. The firm offers a comprehensive service to both its technology customer and vendor clients who work across a diverse range of industries, including media, financial services, automotive, hospitality, life sciences, healthcare and consumer products. The firm has seen an increasing amount of work in the media sector, particularly in relation to NFTs. Clients also benefit from the team’s expertise in related areas such as advertising, and privacy and cybersecurity, which is particularly important for data-driven transactions. The team is co-chaired by Jim Nelson in San Francisco and William Russell and Armand Zottola in Washington DC.
Practice head(s):
James Nelson; William Russell; Armand Zottola
Key clients
GE Healthcare
Caliza LLC (HelloLanding.com)
Glo Digital, Inc. (formerly YogaGlo, Inc.)
Shoshin Works, LLC
Electrify America LLC
GitGuardian SAS
ZeroFox, Inc.
Vanguard Renewables
Work highlights
- Advising GE Healthcare on technology collaboration deals, joint development deals, global distribution arrangements, technology and patent licenses, software licensing and SaaS/cloud transactions, artificial intelligence (AI) matters, and various other strategic alliances and ventures.
- Advising Caliza (a/k/a Hello Landing) in structuring and organizing its portfolio of customer and vendor agreements, as well as various advertising and trademark matters.
- Outside counsel to a global hospitality company in a variety of technology-related commercial transactions, including two private label arrangements for the online marketing and distribution of lodging accommodations and meeting space.
WilmerHale
WilmerHale provides a strong spread of services to its technology clients, including support on VC financings and M&A, through to advice on licensing, outsourcing, joint venture, development and distribution agreements. IP portfolio development and commercialisation is another key feature within the highly experienced team. The firm’s lawyers are also increasingly advising on the cybersecurity and privacy-related aspects of major transactions involving big data. Notable highlights include assisting Factorial Energy, a solid-state battery start-up, on agreements with Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis to commercialize its battery technology. Practice chair Mick Bain is backed by a deep bench which includes Jeff Johnson, Ariel Soiffer, and in San Francisco, Mat Trachok. Steven Barrett is ‘legally exceptional but with business practicality in mind’. All partners are based in Boston unless otherwise stated.
Practice head(s):
Mick Bain
Other key lawyers:
Jeff Johnson; Ariel Soiffer; Mat Trachok; Steven Barrett
Testimonials
‘Steven Barrett: smart, incisive, legally exceptional but with business practicality in mind, affable, hard-working and diligent, easy to work with.’
Key clients
Allegiant Air
Analog Devices
CubicPV
Forendo Pharma
Harmonix Music Systems, Inc
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company
Inpher
nference Inc.
Nth Party
Verana Networks
Work highlights
- Represented Allegiant Air in an agreement with Viva Aerobus that will allow the ultra-low-cost airlines to offer codeshare nonstop US-Mexico flights.
- Represented Factorial Energy, a solid-state battery start-up, on its highly publicized separate agreements with Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis to commercialize Factorial’s battery technology.
- Representing the privacy enhancing technology leader Inpher, in negotiating complex license to use agreements with multiple organizations and their sublicensees, allowing those organizations to share and analyze data in a way that preserves the confidentiality of that data.
Baker Botts L.L.P.
Baker Botts L.L.P. has a ‘wide range of experience making it easy to get complicated multi-topic issues addressed’. Clients particularly appreciate the firm’s willingness to ‘dig into details to understand the business goals‘. A major sweet spot is in energy tech, where the firm’s deep roots in the energy sector combine with its sizeable IP team. Beyond the energy sector, the firm represents technology clients and investors on a wide range of strategic transactions, including licensing, distribution, outsourcing and development agreements. Samantha Hale Crispin and Jonathan Gordon respectively lead the team from Dallas and New York. Washington DC-based IP transactions chair, Luke Pedersen, is another key team member.
Practice head(s):
Samantha Hale Crispin; Jonathan Gordon
Other key lawyers:
Luke Pedersen
Testimonials
‘The team is diverse and has a wide range of experience making it easy to get complicated multi-topic issues addressed.’
‘They take the time to dig into details to understand your business goals, but don’t get mired in them or waste time.’
Key clients
Diamondback Energy, Inc.
DZS, Inc.
ESO Solutions, Inc.
Form Automation Solutions, Inc.
Gaddis Partners, Ltd D/B/A T3
GCI Liberty, Inc.
Ifly Holdings LLC
Liberty Broadband Corporation
Liberty Media Corporation
Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc.
Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.
MSG Networks Inc.
OncoNano Medicine, Inc.
Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited
Qurate Retail, Inc.
Renibus Therapeutics, Inc.
Salem Partners LLC
Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
Walt Disney Company, The
Wellsky
Zix Corporation
Work highlights
- Represented QVC in its cash tender offer to purchase any and all of the $750 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of its 4.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2023.
- Represented Liberty Media in its limited partner investment in a venture capital fund managed by Griffin Gaming Partners, a Santa Monica-based venture capital firm focused on the gaming industry.
- Representing Strattam Technologies, a private equity firm, and its portfolio companies in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and investments.
Baker McKenzie LLP
Baker McKenzie LLP has a strong bench of technology transactions lawyers spread throughout its US office network, including key hubs in Chicago, New York and Silicon Valley. The firm has a good track record on a range of issues, including IT procurement, integration and maintenance contracts, collaboration and partnership agreements, M&A and joint ventures. The firm has notable credentials for outsourcing matters, where partners such as Michael Mensik, Samuel Kramer and Peter George are all very active. Global Co-head Adam Aft and Pamela Church (New York) are especially experienced on the IP transactions side. In Silicon Valley Cynthia Cole is a key contact for IP transactions while Lisa Fontenot handles related corporate and M&A matters. Partners are based in Chicago unless otherwise stated.
Practice head(s):
Peter George; Adam Aft; Pamela Church
Other key lawyers:
Michael Mensik; Samuel Kramer; Cynthia Cole; Lisa Fontenot
Key clients
DFINITY Foundation
PayPal, Inc.
Work highlights
- Advising the DFINITY Foundation, one of the world’s leading DeFi projects on a wide spectrum of legal and regulatory matters.
- Legal advisors to PayPal, the online payments provider, on a range of matters.
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton has an impressive multidisciplinary service with a good track record in advising clients on a broad range of technology needs. In addition to high-end M&A support, the lawyers have credentials in advising on IP licensing and related transactions across a spectrum of sub-sectors, including AI, big data, cloud solutions, fintech, gaming, software and semiconductors. Recent office openings in Palo Alto and San Francisco, and the related recruitments of Christopher Moore and Marcela Robledo from Hogan Lovells US LLP and Baker McKenzie respectively, have added further strength. The new arrivals offer high quality backing to the experienced Daniel Ilan in New York, a top choice IP licensing counsel for the likes of Alphabet/Google, Sony Interactive Entertainment and OpenText.
Practice head(s):
Daniel Ilan; Marcela Robledo; Christopher Moore
Key clients
Alphabet/Google
Sony Corporation
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Angel Pond Holdings Corporation
Johnson Controls
GlobalFoundries
OpenText Corporation
Wag!
Warburg Pincus
Sixth Street
International Flavors & Fragrances
dMY Technology Group
Work highlights
- Advised Google on its acquisition of Raxium.
- Advised Voya on its announced agreement to acquire BenefitFocus.
- Advised Sony Interactive Entertainment on its $3.6 billion acquisition of Bungie.
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
The technology sector is a core focus for Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, which offers clients a wide range of services. The corporate side regularly handles a wide venture capital and M&A work, and the firm truly stands out in the outsourcing space, where it offers in-depth expertise on all stages of contract negotiations and delivery. Regulatory law and transactional IP and licensing are other areas of strength, with clients including Xerox, Allspring Global Investments and Meta Platforms. Washington DC’s Aaron Oser leads the global sourcing team, which includes key partners such as John Barton and Elizabeth Zimmer in Austin, and Vipul Nishawala in New York. In San Francisco, technology and media industry group leader, Justin Hovey, is also recommended.
Practice head(s):
Justin Hovey
Other key lawyers:
Aaron Oser; John Barton; Elizabeth Zimmer; Vipul Nishawala
Key clients
Xerox Corporation
Allspring Global Investments
Blackhawk Network, Inc.
YapStone, Inc.
Meta Platforms, Inc.
CoinDesk and TradeBlock
Larva Labs
Tomo Networks
Milo Credit
SecurityScorecard
1stdibs.com
Xendit
Thesis
VirSec Systems
SYNNEX Corporation
Concept Art House
Proof of Learn
SuperTeam Games
Bluepoint Games
Upland Software
Work highlights
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has a ‘very nimble‘ New York-based team who are ‘knowledgeable in all areas of IP and tech, and are able to manage very different types of transactions‘. The practice is invariably very busy on the M&A and private equity support side, providing critical advice on IP and tech driven corporate transactions, including expertise in related areas such as privacy and cybersecurity. Key to the firm’s success in this area is practice head Lori Lesser, who brings a ‘very experienced and has a hands-on approach‘. The practice was also boosted in 2022 by the recruitment of partner Jessica Cohen from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. ‘Fantastic‘ associate Alysha Sekhon is ‘smart, on top of things and a tireless advocate‘.
Practice head(s):
Lori Lesser
Other key lawyers:
Jessica Cohen; Alysha Sekhon
Testimonials
‘Simpson Thacher are industry experts. They understand not only the law but also the business. Unlike many other law firms, their legal advice is practical actionable advice.’
‘Lori Lesser, Alysha Sekhon…both of these individuals always make themselves available to me and get the job done.’
‘The IP transactions practice at STB is very nimble – the attorneys of that practice are knowledgeable in all areas of IP and tech, and are able to manage very different types of transactions using an efficient and nimble team.’
‘Lori Lesser is very experienced and has a hands-on approach, able to quickly respond to client demands and coming up with very creative solutions to client problems. Associate Alysha Sekhon is fantastic – smart, on top of things and a tireless advocate.’
Key clients
Blackstone
CSL Behring
Dell
Hellman & Friedman
L3Harris
Microsoft Corporation
Refinitiv
Silver Lake
TD Bank
TransUnion
Work highlights
- Advised Microsoft Corporation in two blockbuster acquisitions, including its announced $75 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Inc. and its $19.7 billion acquisition of Nuance Communication.
- Advised TransUnion in several acquisitions, including its $3.1 billion acquisition of Neustar, an information services and technology company and a leader in identity resolution, and its $515 million acquisition of Verisk Financial Services.
- Advised Blackstone in its acquisition of a majority stake in Spanx, Inc. from its founder in a transaction that values Spanx at $1.2 billion.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has a well regarded technology transactions and IP group that is jointly led out of New York by Stuart Levi and Bruce Goldner. The team is especially experienced in providing related advice on M&A transactions, where corporate partner Howard Ellin is also very active. The firm’s Los Angeles office also houses several lawyers, including David Eisman, with strong credentials for transactions in the entertainment industry, including related IP advice.
Practice head(s):
Stuart Levi; Bruce Goldner; David Eisman
Work highlights
White & Case LLP
White & Case LLP has a strong team of technology transactions lawyers working throughout key US hubs, including New York, Silicon Valley, Los Angels, Washington DC, and Tampa. The lawyers have specialised expertise across a range of technology sub-sectors, including energytech, software, social media, automotives and fintech. The team is led global practice head Arlene Arin Hahn who regularly leads on cutting edge projects and technologies such as carbon capture. Other key partners include Erin Hanson, who acts for some of the world’s largest social media platforms, Andres Liivak, who is especially experienced in life sciences and healthtech, and in Los Angeles, Linda Sim, who has over 20 years experience advising on technology and outsourcing matters. All named partners are based in New York unless otherwise stated.
Practice head(s):
Arlene Arin Hahn
Other key lawyers:
Erin Hanson; Andres Liivak; Linda Sim
Key clients
Ministry of Finance of the Republic of El Salvador
SES Holdings Pte. Ltd.
Rhodium Group
Saudi Aramco
LOTTE Corporation
TIER Mobility
ADVANZ PHARMA
AMCI Acquisition Corp. II
Vox Media
Goldman Sachs
Work highlights
- Represening the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of El Salvador in respect of its incorporation of bitcoin as legal tender, consisting of law and regulation writing, commercial agreement negotiation and drafting, and other strategic advice given geo-political considerations.
- Representing Saudi Aramco, one of the worlds largest integrated energy and chemical companies, on its acquisition of the Global Products Business of Valvoline, a world leader in lubricants technology, that operates a global network of research and development labs and distribution and customer services in 140 countries.
- Representing SES Holdings, the developer and manufacturer of high-performance hybrid lithium-metal rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles, in its $3.6 billion business combination with Ivanhoe Capital Acquisition Corp., creating the first publicly traded hybrid Li-Metal battery company.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has an ‘extremely collaborative and professional‘ team with ‘bright, hardworking‘ lawyers. The offering combines a mix of IP, technology and transactional work across multiple areas, including semiconductors, software, crypto, cleantech, life sciences and healthcare. Salesforce is a major client which regularly uses the firm on technology and infrastructure deals, including the development of its Einstein smart speaker product. Meta Platforms regularly instructs firm, including on agreements for the purchase of over $1 billion in servers per year. Matthew Berger chairs the team, which receives strong input from Palo Alto managing partner, Tiffany Lee.
Practice head(s):
Matthew Berger
Other key lawyers:
Tiffany Lee
Testimonials
‘The WF&G team is extremely collaborative and professional in their interactions with the client. Their broad knowledge base, in terms of client experience, is also truly unique.’
‘Each team member takes the time to understand the situation and then collaboratively will work to construct an optimal path forward (solution wise). And then each team member is able to deliver their input.’
‘The individuals are extremely bright, hardworking – yet they put the inputs together for a cohesive strategy.’
Key clients
Salesforce
Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly Facebook)
Meta Technologies, LLC (formerly Oculus)
LG Display
City of Hope
Dong-A Pharmaceutical
Akorn Operating Company LLC
LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
FTV Capital
Alpine Investors
Verikai Inc.
Xponential Fitness, Inc.
OneRecord, LLC
QuEra Computing
AIRNA
Work highlights
- Advised a cloud-based software company in the structuring, negotiating, and drafting of major technology acquisition and infrastructure deals.
- Advised a large social media company in the design, development, manufacture, supply, support and maintenance of its servers and other data centers, and drafting and negotiating agreements relating to consumer hardware.
- Representing Dong-A Pharmaceutical in technology transactional matters involving multiple listed pharma companies.
A&O Shearman
A&O Shearman has an ‘excellent ‘ team with ‘experts in their fields‘. The firm has established a strong US presence to offer support on a broad range of technology-related transactions, including the procurement and development of products and services and advice on IP licensing, joint ventures, partnership agreements and M&A. Silicon Valley-based global co-head Daren Orzechowski has ‘deep experience in negotiating complex technology agreements for licensing and M&A‘. He is backed by the highly experienced Alex Touma in San Francisco, and Adam Chernichaw in New York.
Practice head(s):
Daren Orzechowski
Other key lawyers:
Alex Touma; Adam Chernichaw
Testimonials
‘Daren Orzechowski has deep experience in negotiating complex technology agreements for licensing and M&A.’
‘The team is excellent at understanding our company’s deep product insights and providing bespoke legal advice. More importantly, they understand our risk tolerances and always move things forward to achieve our company goals.’
‘Daren Orzechowski is my go-to partner for anything that I need help on; he is always the first person I contact whenever I am in need of outside counsel support.’
Key clients
Robinhood
Meta Platforms, Inc and its affiliates (Instagram and WhatsApp)
Zynga
Slack
Block
Step Mobile
Box (details of the matter to remain confidential)
Aidentyx
Haveli Investments
Work highlights
Eversheds Sutherland
The well-regarded team at Eversheds Sutherland is commended for its ‘deep knowledge of transaction structuring'. Its support is extended to a broad range of clients including software, business-to-business, telecoms, data analytics, game developers and hardware and electronics manufacturers. Atlanta-based senior counsel Peter Quittmeyer has an extremely good track record in the market, while TMT head William Dudzinsky in Washington DC is particularly experienced on the automotive and mobility side. A ‘consummate professional‘, Ted Cominos in Chicago goes ‘the extra distance‘.
Practice head(s):
William Dudzinsky
Other key lawyers:
Peter Quittmeyer; Ted Cominos
Testimonials
‘The team is very responsive, hands-on, and knowledgeable about legal issues and otherwise on tech transactions in general and cross-border deals in particular. I would gladly work with them on ever transaction I do.’
‘Very responsive, knowledgeable, creative, and excellent at doing their job. They don’t just identify risks. They work to mitigate them and help their clients understand which risks are acceptable in light of the deal circumstances.’
‘International presence. Strong client communication skills. Extensive experience in the technology space with deep knowledge of transaction structuring issues and how to effectively negotiate with large public technology acquirers.’
‘I worked closely with Ted Cominos who is consummate professional that builds close and trusting relationships with clients and other transaction team members.’
Key clients
State of Georgia (Georgia Technology Authority)
Emory University (Drug Innovation Ventures at Emory, LLC)
Fiserv, Inc. (including First Data Corporation)
FLEETCOR Technologies, Inc.
Medlytix, LLC
GlobalFood Tech
Work highlights
- Advising Medlytix on establishing its service and distribution network and maintaining compliance with consumer credit and health care privacy regulatory schemes.
- Represented Emory University on a range of high-level drug development and licensing projects, including assisting Emory and its DRIVE accelerator with its licensing and spin-off of drug discoveries.
- Advising Fiserv on a range of technology transactions, including in the acquisition of Spend Labs by merger.
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP provides ‘comprehensive knowledge of the market, business-driven advice, and a well-coordinated team‘ . The firm has a good handle on a range of related issues, including technology partnership agreements, IP licensing and data analytics issues. linked to big data and machine learning. This extends to a range of new technologies and products, including fintech, healthtech and cloud-based artificial intelligence platforms. Amir Ghavi and Jason Greenberg jointly lead the team, which combines well with the broader corporate practice including ‘extremely knowledgeable, thoughtful, excellent advisors‘, such as Steven Epstein. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.
Practice head(s):
Amir Ghavi; Jason Greenberg
Other key lawyers:
Steven Epstein
Testimonials
‘Comprehensive knowledge of the market, business-driven advice, and a well-coordinated team’
‘Extremely knowledgeable, thoughtful, excellent advisors. Particularly Steven Epstein.’
Key clients
Ascential
AEA Investors
Beckton, Dickinson and Company
Catalent
CVS Health
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
Genesys
Goldman Sachs
LivePerson, Inc.
New Mountain Capital
Odin Automotive
Permira
RedBird Capital Partners
Seismic Software, Inc.
Standard General
Stella Point Capital
Stepstone
Stability AI Ltd
Picsart
AmplifyBio
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
Plume Design, Inc.
Sumitomo Bank
Advent Bio
Signal Technology Foundation
Advanced Integration Technology
Work highlights
- Acted as counsel to Permira and a buyer consortium, in the $14 billion acquisition of McAfee Corporation, a global leader in online protection.
- Acted as counsel to Permira and a consortium of investors that included Hellman & Friedman, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and GIC (Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund) in the $10.2 billion all-cash take private of Zendesk.
- Acted as counsel to leading artificial intelligence company Stability AI, in its development, release and commercialization of the ground-breaking open sourced image generation software, Stable Diffusion.
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has an experienced cross-disciplinary technology group with expertise in commercial contracts, outsourcing, IP and software licensing, M&A and joint venture agreements. The firm has recently advised several clients in the development and implementation of AI and machine learning technologies, including related issues on data privacy, ownership and rights. Jeffrey Harvey leads the well-regarded team from Richmond. Other key partners include IP co-head Tyler Maddry and Cecilia Oh in Washington DC. Randall Parks and Andrew Geyer in Richmond are also key.
Practice head(s):
Jeff Harvey
Other key lawyers:
Tyler Maddry; Cecilia Oh; Randall Parks; Andrew Geyer
Key clients
The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
CoBank
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.
ScanSource, Inc.
3D Systems Corporation
Alkami Technology, Inc.
Work highlights
- Assisting a large bank with several technology matters, including the negotiation and documentation of the bank’s entire online banking platform.
- Advising a publicly traded medical device company with ongoing general contracting support that includes reviewing supplier contracts.
- Advising a private equity firm that invests in technology assets on technology-related agreements and other commercial contracts.
McGuireWoods LLP
McGuireWoods LLP has developed a prominent track record in representing investors, including private equity funds, strategic buyers and banks, on high value M&As, joint ventures, IPOs and financings where IP is a key asset. The team is also active in standalone technology transactions, including IP licensing and transfers, and broader collaboration, software-as-a-service and outsourcing agreements. Sector strengths include fintech, artificial intelligence, blockchain and the internet-of-things. In addition to technology companies, the firm also represents end-users. Rakesh Gopalan leads the team from Charlotte, with Richmond-based corporate partner, James Anderson, also active in the space.
Practice head(s):
Rakesh Gopalan
Other key lawyers:
James Anderson
Key clients
AvidXchange, Inc.
Simpler Trading
THRIVE Networks
E-Technologies Group
Banyan Technologies
Segue Technologies
Teledyne Technologies, Inc.
Silverchair
3D Systems (NYSE: DDD)
Work highlights
- Advised Simpler Trading in connection with a majority investment from private equity firm ZMC to accelerate Simpler Trading’s growth and expand key technology and offerings.
- Represented AvePoint, a publicly traded SaaS and data management platform provider, in its cross-border acquisition of tyGraph.
- Represented Direct Digital Holdings, an end-to-end full-service digital advertising platform, inclosing its $15.4 million initial public offering of Class A common stock, which trades on Nasdaq.
Proskauer Rose LLP
Proskauer Rose LLP has a full service offering which encompasses standalone e-commerce, content production and distribution, rights and licensing arrangements, as well as corporate support on M&A, joint ventures and financings. Its lawyers’ expertise covers a broad range of areas, and they are particularly active in sports, media and entertainment, blockchain, biometrics and big data. Notable recent highlights include advising Sony Electronics on its collaboration with Theta Labs to launch 3D non-fungible tokens. Jeffrey Neuburger and Robert Freeman jointly lead the team from New York. Partner Wai Choy is developing a strong name in this area and co-founded the firm’s blockchain group.
Practice head(s):
Robert Freeman; Jeffrey Neuburger
Key clients
Doodles
Component Assembly
iHeartMedia
National Academy of the Recording Arts and Sciences
Sony Electronics
Condé Nast
TMRW Sports
SHoP Architects
The Eclipse Foundation
Rockefeller Capital Management
Miramax
Optimism
HSS Innovation Institute (Hospital for Special Surgery)
Museum of Modern Art
Work highlights
Ropes & Gray LLP
Ropes & Gray LLP has an active transactional team which provides strong support on buy-side and sell-side corporate and private equity M&A. Key to the firm’s success in the technology sector is its experienced bench of transactional IP specialists. In addition to corporate support, the team also advises on more standalone matters, including partnership agreements and product launches, such as NFTs. Key partners include Megan Baca, who co-heads the firm’s digital health practice, and TMT co-lead Edward Black in Boston. Violetta Kokolus in New York is also building a good name for IP transactional advice, plus the privacy and cybersecurity aspects of related M&A.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Thomases; Ed Black
Other key lawyers:
Violetta Kokolus
Key clients
McAfee
TPG Capital
HP Inc.
ServiceMax
Social Leverage Acquisition Corp
Forescout Technologies
Sixth Street
New Mountain Capital
Thomas H. Lee Partners
Aquiline Capital Partners
Berkshire Partners
H.I.G. Capital
NielsenIQ
Stripe
Work highlights
- Advised TPG Capital in connection with many high value transactions in 2022.
- Represented McAfee, a global computer security software company, in its $14 billion sale to an investor group.
- Advised HP in its acquisition of Poly Inc., an audio and video devices maker, implying a total enterprise value of $3.3 billion.
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP has an experienced cross-disciplinary technology transactions team which combines a mixtire of corporate, IP, and entertainment and media lawyers. The firm has been particularly busy advising media and entertainment companies on NFT launches, while on the M&A side, it assisted Sony Interactive Entertainment on its acquisition of the Seattle-based videogame developer Valkyrie Entertainment. The ‘responsive and knowledgeable‘ Brian Anderson and Daniel Schnapp in New York jointly lead the team with Michael Orlando in San Diego and Marisa Brutoco in Orange County. ‘Excellent’ associate, Brittany Walter (San Diego), is also singled out for her ‘good eye towards substantive legal issues‘.
Practice head(s):
Brian Anderson; Michael Orlando; Daniel Schnapp; Marisa Brutoco
Other key lawyers:
Brittany Walter
Testimonials
‘Brian Anderson is a responsive and knowledgeable partner who is able to advise on a wide variety of issues from straight up technology licensing to sweepstakes and contests to music licensing.’
Work highlights
- Strategic counsel and transactional support to the Non-Fungible Token platform Async Art, advising on the nuanced intellectual property issues arising out of the launch of Async’s music based offering (Async Music).
- Represented Sony Interactive Entertainment in several major gaming transactions over the last year including its agreement to acquire Seattle-based videogame developer Valkyrie Entertainment, and the acquisition of Bluepoint Games.
- Advised Under Armour in its first NFT launch into the Metaverse with digital Steph Curry Sneakers.