Former Managing Partner of Nixon Peabody's Silicon Valley Office Joins Foley

Leading Corporate and Securities Attorney Brings Extensive Experience in Private Equity, Venture Capital and Cross-Border Transactions.

Foley announced today that James C. Chapman has joined the firm as a partner in the Silicon Valley office, working with the Private Equity & Venture Capital Practice Group. Prior to joining Foley, Chapman was a partner at Nixon Peabody LLP.

Chapman was one of the founders of the Silicon Valley Law Group in 1994 and in 2007, he led a group of attorneys from that firm to establish Nixon Peabody’s Palo Alto office. He served as Office Managing Partner until May 2009 and led its growth from formation to 22 attorneys. He also had a major role in the development of Nixon Peabody’s China practice.

Chapman has more than 20 years of experience in corporate and securities law and has been involved in over 200 mergers, acquisitions and finance transactions. He represents emerging growth companies looking to expand domestically and internationally, and the venture capitalists, private equity groups and angels that invest in them.

“Jim’s arrival to the firm greatly enhances our venture practice on the West Coast,” said Gabor Garai, chair of Foley’s Private Equity & Venture Capital Practice. “His knowledge of various types of investment funds and substantial experience with international business transactions will be a tremendous asset to our clients, particularly bi-coastal venture funds involved in direct investment work.”

Chapman has extensive expertise in international and cross-border transactions, particularly with respect to China. He regularly represents Chinese companies looking to raise capital and acquire companies in the U.S., as well as U.S. companies doing business in China through acquisitions, establishing joint ventures, distribution and out-sourcing relationships.

“We are thrilled Jim has joined our Silicon Valley office as he will have many opportunities here to advise clients in the U.S. and abroad on transactional and corporate matters,” said Paul Stewart, managing partner of the firm’s Silicon Valley office. “As China continues to be an increasingly attractive investment market, Jim’s addition will help deepen the firm’s already strong capabilities in negotiating international transactions.”

“Foley provides me a unique opportunity to duplicate in Silicon Valley the tremendous success of the Foley Private Equity & Venture Capital practice in other key Foley markets, such as San Diego and Boston,” said Chapman. “I look forward to further growing my practice by leveraging the firm’s national presence and deep team of transactional attorneys, while expanding on the firm’s success in assisting clients with complex matters that arise when doing business in China. Foley’s office in Shanghai and its growing Chinese practice will allow me to enhance the service offerings to my clients.”

In a recent survey of Fortune 1000 corporate counsel, conducted by The BTI Consulting Group (Wellesley, Massachusetts), Foley & Lardner LLP ranked first for superior client service and value. We also were named to the InformationWeek 500 list for four consecutive years for our client-focused technology. Foley continually evolves to meet the changing legal needs of our clients. Our team-based approach, proprietary client service technology, and practice depth enhance client relationships while seeing clients through their most complex legal challenges. With nearly 1,000 attorneys in 21 offices and more than 60 practices, Foley strives to provide high-caliber business and legal insight.