Foley Significantly Expands Capabilities in Fast Growing Technology and Life Sciences Sectors

Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that the firm has significantly expanded its Northern California Corporate Practice Group as Natasha Allen, Brandee Diamond, Nicole Hatcher and Louis Lehot join as Partners, Eric Chow joins as Senior Counsel and Alex Ravski and Catherine Zhu join as Special Counsel. The diverse team of 15 individuals in total includes experienced attorneys, paralegals and administrative professionals and will be based in Foley’s San Francisco and Silicon Valley offices.

The new team specializes in counseling clients from “garage to global” as they support a range of startup level and multi-billion-dollar companies in every sector including the fast-growing technology-based sectors of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, DevOps, fintech, transportation and mobility, health care, enterprise software, consumer internet, real estate, life sciences, and clean energy technologies. Their full-service Corporate Practice areas include M&A, General Corporate, Emerging Company, Private Equity, Capital Markets, Venture Capital, Data Privacy, Commercial Transactions and Technology Transactions.

“We are committed to building the unparalleled expertise our clients need to implement their growth strategies,” said Jay Rothman, Foley’s chairman & CEO. “This team brings a wealth of corporate and capital markets expertise to Foley broadly, while, at the same time, substantially enhancing the depth of our Northern California practice.”

Rothman continued, “In addition, this group adds further diversity to Foley’s partnership and represents meaningful progress towards our ongoing commitment to increase diversity and inclusion across the firm. I am excited to welcome this dynamic team and look forward to collaborating with them.”

The incoming group commented, “This is an incredible opportunity for us all to combine and expand our practices, further building upon the strong reputation Foley has in California and across the country. We are excited to be joining a firm with the extensive legal expertise, commitment to innovation, cross-selling philosophy and dedication to a diverse and collaborative culture, for which Foley is well-known. We look forward to working with Foley’s existing Northern California team and national and international platforms as we continue to serve our clients and create long-term value for and true partnership with them.”

Natasha Allen – Business, M&A, Emerging Growth and Venture Capital

Natasha Allen’s practice encompasses equity financing, venture capital financing, and commercial and corporate matters across a variety of industries including AI, fintech, robotics and life sciences.  Natasha’s transactional experience includes advising clients in domestic and cross-border buy-side and sell-side mergers and acquisitions, and divestitures.

Brandee Diamond – M&A and Private Equity

Brandee Diamond has extensive experience representing clients in complex domestic and cross-border transactions, advising public and private companies in corporate mergers and acquisitions, dispositions, minority investments and joint ventures and assisting private equity firms with growth equity transactions, leveraged buyouts, going-private transactions, recapitalizations and exits.

Nicole Hatcher – Business, M&A, Emerging Growth and Venture Capital

Nicole Hatcher’s practice focuses on venture capital investment deals, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and general corporate work. Her experience includes working on major initial public offerings for leading Silicon Valley companies in internet services, social media, robotics, and more.

Louis Lehot – Business, M&A, Emerging Growth and Venture Capital

Louis Lehot represents private companies, financial sponsors, venture capitalists, investors and investment banks in forming, financing, governing, buying and selling companies. He has extensive experience assisting a wide variety of businesses at all stages of development—from two founders and a laptop through venture capital financing to IPO and beyond. Having advised non-US multinationals looking to access US markets for 20+ years, he is uniquely positioned to assist companies with cross-border transactions.

Eric Chow – Business, M&A, Emerging Growth and Venture Capital

Eric Chow’s practice includes a variety of public and private mergers and acquisitions, including both cross-border and domestic deals, as well as investment, financing, and joint venture transactions and general corporate counselling.

Alex Ravski – Business, M&A, Emerging Growth

Alex Ravski has experience working with emerging companies in the technology space on a variety of matters including venture financing, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, entity formation and other matters.

Catherine Zhu – Commercial Transactions, Technology Transactions and Data Privacy

Catherine Zhu is a commercial and privacy attorney with experience working across a variety of high-growth companies, including those in the enterprise software, data sharing, artificial intelligence, consumer goods, transportation and mobility, marketplace platforms, and other tech-forward products.

About Foley & Lardner LLP

Foley & Lardner LLP looks beyond the law to focus on the constantly evolving demands facing our clients and their industries. With approximately 1,100 lawyers in 24 offices across the United States, Mexico, Europe and Asia, Foley approaches client service by first understanding our clients’ priorities, objectives and challenges. We work hard to understand our clients’ issues and forge long-term relationships with them to help achieve successful outcomes and solve their legal issues through practical business advice and cutting-edge legal insight. Our clients view us as trusted business advisors because we understand that great legal service is only valuable if it is relevant, practical and beneficial to their businesses.

In California, Foley maintains five offices in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Sacramento with over 130 lawyers across the region focusing on innovation at every stage of growth, from startups to fast-growing and mid-market businesses to mature global enterprises. Foley lawyers are known for their strong values-led, practical and commercial approach, and for deploying strategies and solutions that make sense.