Foley Welcomes Seasoned Cross-Border M&A and Investment Funds Leader Brian Wheeler as Partner in San Francisco
Firm continues rapid West Coast expansion of its business law offerings for the Technology, Health Care, and Life Sciences spaces
Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that Brian Wheeler has joined the firm’s San Francisco and Silicon Valley offices as a partner in its Transactions Practice Group and Innovative Technology and Health Care & Life Sciences Sectors. Wheeler brings extensive experience spanning top levels of both the global law firm and global investment fund environments, having previously served in leadership roles at SoftBank Investment Advisers and as a partner at DLA Piper.
Wheeler is the former managing partner and general counsel at SoftBank Investment Advisers, the investment adviser to the SoftBank Vision Fund, where he built and led a legal team overseeing fundraising and investing for investment funds with over $130 billion in invested capital. Under his leadership, the team grew to over 40 lawyers across three continents. He was responsible for the investment structuring, portfolio monitoring, and monetization of more than 300 portfolio companies where SoftBank led investments as a minority, strategic, or controlling stockholder.
“The addition of Brian underscores the impressive growth and success we’ve experienced in Northern California. In just three years, Foley has significantly expanded its corporate presence in the Bay Area by adding seven partners, demonstrating our trajectory as a formidable player in the region,” said Thomas Carlucci, managing partner of Foley’s San Francisco and Silicon Valley offices. “Brian’s experience complements our practice areas and enhances our core strengths, making him an invaluable resource for clients both locally and globally. We are thrilled to welcome him to the team.”
After his time at SoftBank, Wheeler served as general counsel and head of corporate development at HENI, an international technology and art services company, where he gained experience in digital asset regulatory matters and managed the company’s intellectual property portfolio and venture investments.
Throughout his career, Wheeler has led numerous large-scale M&A transactions for both public and private buyers and sellers, private equity buyouts, as well as venture and growth equity investments, with a particular focus on cross-border deals and those involving technology and life sciences companies. He has also advised companies on FCPA compliance, internal investigations, litigation, investor relations, employment, and firm management matters.
“Brian is joining the firm at an opportune time, bringing valuable knowledge of the tech and life sciences sectors and extensive experience in fund formation, investment management, and M&A,” said Christopher Cain, co-chair of Foley’s Transactions Practice. “His background in both in-house and law firm roles will provide unique insights that will benefit our clients in Northern California as we continue to grow and meet their evolving needs.”
“Foley does more than check all the boxes for me. The firm’s focus on the technology, health care, and life sciences sectors aligns seamlessly with my experience, and its robust digital asset practice offers an ideal platform for me to stay actively involved in this evolving industry. Additionally, the firm’s commitment to expanding its rapidly growing Fund Formation and Investment Management Group to the West Coast presents an exciting opportunity for growth and collaboration,” said Wheeler. “I’m excited to join Foley and return to a full-service law firm where I can significantly contribute to my clients’ success.”
Wheeler’s arrival marks a streak of impressive growth for Foley’s corporate practices, following several recent additions this year, including partners Nick O’Keefe in Silicon Valley, Joe Bernardi in Boston, and Jeff Symons, Kay Gordon, and David Makso in New York.
