With a strong reputation assisting start-ups in notable industries such as technology, fintech and life sciences, the team at Cooley LLP covers the entire life cycle of startups, handling financings at all levels. Matthew Bartus and Peter Werner sit as global co-heads, with local partner Ferish Patel providing guidance for companies and investors across the wider ASEAN market. Andrew Harline continues to assist clients with financings, M&A and various other transactions. David He joined the firm from Gunderson Dettmer LLP in September 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Key strength is their experience and history in the market. Cooley probably is one of the earlier law firms to establish a funds practice in southeast asia so it's easier to feel comforted by the strength of their bench.’
- ‘Cooley distinguishes itself through three key differentiators that set it apart from competitors. The firm has developed a comprehensive proprietary database built over decades, containing precedents, past rulings, and case outcomes that ground every legal strategy in real-world results rather than theoretical frameworks.'
- ‘Distinguished Leadership and Expertise.'
Key clients
- Nium
- KiranaKart (Zepto)
- D3 Bio
- Ausper Biopharma
- Square Peg Capital
- Granite Asia (formerly GGV)
- Allozymes
- KPay Group
- Ascend Vietnam Ventures
- QED Investors
- Celadon Partners
Work highlights
Advised Nium, the global leader in real-time cross-border payments, on its US$50 million Series E funding round, bringing the startup’s total valuation to US$1.4 billion.
Advised Allozymes, which develops custom enzymes for cleaner and sustainable manufacturing of complex natural products, on its US$15 million Series A financing.
Advised Square Peg Capital as the lead investor in Paper.id’s Series B financing.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Ferish Patel
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Matthew Bartus; Peter Werner
Other key lawyers
Ferish Patel; Andrew Harline