Cooley LLP‘s M&A practice frequently handles high-value cross-border transactions in the life sciences, technology and sports sectors, combining M&A capabilities with capital markets and regulatory advice. The team is led out of San Francisco by Jamie Leigh, who has developed a strong client book of leading technology clients, assisting both boards and special committees on takeovers, activist defence and proxy contests. Rama Padmanabhan and Rowook Park, both based out of San Diego, are particularly well versed in handling transactions in the life sciences and biotech sectors. Bill Sorabella focuses on public M&A with a strong track record in energy, financial services and retail clients.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Willingness to go the extra mile and answer all of the questions we raised during the M&A process, and also making sure that we did the right thing by our shareholders.'
- The Cooley team was critical in getting our acquisition completed. Their team is extremely well rounded in both legal expertise, negotiating skills and industry-specific knowledge.’
- ‘Rowook Park and Barbara Borden have very in-depth experience in both M&A as well as the biotech industry. This allowed them to identify and communicate to us the key areas to focus on, what current industry terms are and represented our best interest during the negotiations.’
- ‘The depth of expertise across the firm and how integrated the team works together is unique. They work very collaboratively and communicate very well, both internally and with the client.'
- 'Potential clients should know that Cooley brings the full spectrum of expertise needed for a transaction and resources projects appropriately, positioning them for success. It always felt like they went the extra mile for us.’
- ‘What stands out to me is the professionalism and calm, leadership demonstrated by the Cooley team. Their way of operating bestowed confidence in the process and timelines. The entire Cooley team was fabulous.'
Key clients
- io Products
- Clubessential
- Longboard Pharmaceuticals
- Capstan Therapeutics
- Printify
- Infleqtion
- Alani Nu
- Poseida Therapeutics
- Lantheus Medical
- Uber
- Zoom
- Snowflake
Work highlights
Advised io Products on its approximately $6.5 billion acquisition by OpenAI.
Advised the Boston Celtics and the Grousbeck family in connection with their $6.1bn sale of the Celtics to an investor group led by William Chisholm.
Advised Cidara Therapeutics on its definitive agreement under which Merck, through a subsidiary, will acquire Cidara for $221.50 per share in cash, for a total transaction value of approximately $9.2 billion.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Ben Beerle
Jamie Leigh
Practice head
Jamie Leigh
Other key lawyers
Rama Padmanabhan; Rowook Park; Bill Sorabella; Barbara Borden; Ben Beerle