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Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP utilizes the deep bench strength of its nationwide practitioners to advise high-profile tech clients on IP transactional matters, with a pipeline in patent acquisitions and divestitures, licensing agreements, strategic alliances and joint ventures. The team is led in New York by Charan Sandhu, expert in complex tech transactions relating to the transfer, development and acquisition of IP. In Silicon Valley, Karen Ballack is recognized as a top strategic tech and IP transactional advisor, supporting clients in the development, commercialization and exploitation of IP. New York’s Dennis Adams, brings expertise in advising an array of industries, from the life sciences to tech, on the licensing, acquisition, development and use of IP. Also in New York, Olivia Greer draws on her experience as an information privacy professional to advise clients on privacy and data security issues. The team was strengthened by the rejoining of Max Scott in 2024, a specialist in technology- and IP-related transactions. Jeffrey Osterman departed the practice in March 2025 to Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.
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Profile
Position
Head of Weil’s Technology & IP Transactions practice
Career
Charan Sandhu is Head of Weil’s Technology & IP Transactions practice and a member of the Firm’s Privacy & Cybersecurity group and is based in New York. Charan concentrates on the areas of complex technology transactions and intellectual property. She represents clients in matters relating to technology transfer and the development, acquisition, use and commercial exploitation of technology and intellectual property. She has extensive experience in a wide variety of complex technology transactions, including technology development and licensing agreements, joint ventures, strategic alliances, professional services agreements, outsourcing arrangements, distribution agreements and settlements of IP litigation. Her practice encompasses a wide range of technologies, including consumer electronics, computer hardware and software, semiconductor devices and manufacturing equipment and processes, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, communications (network and telephony) and the Internet.
Education
UC Berkeley (B.S., 1993); Georgetown University Law Center (J.D., 1998).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The Weil transactional IP team is well-trained and are experienced in dealing with a diverse set of IP related issues in the transactional context. They are skilled negotiators and thoughtful drafters who approach complex issues with a "can-do", problem-solving mentality.’
‘Karen Ballack is one of the strongest drafters in the industry. She is meticulous, and her attention to detail and commitment to client service is second to none.'
- 'Charan Sandhu is a powerhouse negotiator, and is a trusted advisor in the patent licensing and settlement context.’
‘This firm has been providing exceptional pro bono services to our non-profit organization for over 20 years, and we have never felt any "second-rate" attention; we are treated with the same respect and attention as any client, receiving top-notch services from talented legal experts in the complicated field of IP and licensing. ’
‘Karen Ballack and Jeff Osterman are amazing. And if an expert is needed in a specialty that they themselves do not handle, they bring in others from the Weil team. We feel confident our rights are being protected in every possible way. ’
Key clients
- Advent International
- American Securities
- Astorg Partners
- Blue Star Innovation Partners LP
- Cedar Fair, L.P.
- Centerbridge Partners L.P.
- Clarience Technologies, LLC
- ChampionX Corporation
- Cobham Group Limited
- Cove Hill Partners, L.P.
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Genstar Capital, LLC
Work highlights
Advising The Kroger Co., a leading operator of retail, food, drug, jewelry, and convenience stores, on the technology, data privacy, and intellectual property aspects of several significant transactions.
Advised Cedar Fair, L.P., an owner and operator of amusement parks, water parks and resort accommodations in the United States and Canada, on the technology, data privacy and IP aspects of its merger with Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, a regional theme park operator with 27 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada, in a transaction that implies a combined enterprise value of approximately $8 billion.
Aadvised Sunoco LP on the technology, data privacy and IP aspects of its approximately $7.3 billion acquisition of NuStar Energy L.P., a publicly traded master limited partnership that transports and stores crude oil and refined products.