Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton has a strong track record in high-quality domestic and cross-border technology transactions. Lawyers cover different types of transactions in industries where intellectual property is an important asset. These include licensing agreements, outsourcing, cloud and software as a service, as well as technology sharing and joint ventures. The team also provides essential support to the firm`s active corporate finance practice and provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and related restructuring transactions. Daniel Ilan, a highly experienced practice leader, has deep expertise on a variety of technology, data and intellectual property issues, including advice on transactional cybersecurity and privacy issues. Clients include major technology, internet, hardware and software companies such as Alphabet/Google as well as private equity funds. Our support for technology transactions goes beyond the initial transaction. We advise clients on the successful structuring of long-term supplier relationships, the implementation of sustainable governance models and dispute resolution. The focus on post-trade execution allows our clients to optimize the arrangement and realize value and cost savings. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has a highly experienced New York team that „understands complex technology and legal issues very quickly.“ The practice provides significant support to the firm`s very active corporate finance team with a good background in mergers and acquisitions, financing, capital markets listings and restructurings. This is in addition to an active standalone offering that regularly participates in major intellectual property, technology, and privacy and cybersecurity transactions, including collaboration and licensing agreements. The IP Transactions department is led by the highly respected and versatile Lori Lesser, who also co-chairs the company`s privacy and cybersecurity practices.

Other key figures include lawyer Geneviève Dorment and associate Alysha Sekhon, who is praised by clients. DLA Piper LLP (US) has extensive experience covering both high-end corporate finance transactions and stand-alone technology matters. The multifaceted practice spans the firm`s impressive network of country offices, with partners active from the west and east coasts as well as central states. Lawyers are adept at assisting with high-end corporate mandates such as SPAC mergers, IPOs and financings. Open licensing agreements, strategic relationships, outsourcing negotiations, data protection, digital transformations and collaboration agreements are all on the agenda, with the team working comfortably across a range of technologies such as blockchain, fintech, semiconductors, insurtech, artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles. The global team also has extensive experience in cross-border transactions and is led by Victoria Lee in Silicon Valley and Vincent Sanchez of Chicago. Mark Lehberg of San Diego has experience in outsourcing, cloud computing, and software-as-a-service. John Gilluly in Austin is also very active.

„We worked intensively with Arlene Hahn. She is thorough, intelligent and provides excellent ideas. She is/has been a pleasure working with her and I highly recommend her to lead or assist in difficult transactions. Serious transaction practice with considerable expertise in the technology and outsourcing sector and experience working for clients in financial services, social media and biotechnology. Chambers USA 2022 M&A and capital markets are natural strengths for Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, but the firm`s expertise in technology deals goes far beyond corporate finance. The Group`s transactional credentials cover a wide range of emerging sectors and technologies, including fintech, blockchain, artificial intelligence, open source software and robotics. This includes advising on licensing and technology development agreements as well as the strategic management of technology assets and related commercialization programs. Much of this is supported by partner David Kappos, the firm`s senior intellectual property lawyer, who regularly assists businesses and banking clients with heavy transactions, such as Amazon`s $8.45 billion acquisition of MGM. The additional support of lawyers in key areas such as antitrust gives additional weight to supply. Partner George Schoen has a very good reputation for mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures in all corners of the technology market. Corporate partner Keith Hallam is also recommended.

White & Case LLP is a popular choice among clients who praise the firm`s „exceptional client focus and speed of advice“ as well as the firm`s „enormous breadth of knowledge and skills.“ Customers come from a range of industries, including social media, e-commerce, software and hardware manufacturing. The US team works closely with colleagues in key hubs such as Frankfurt and advises on a range of intellectual property licensing, partnership, outsourcing, procurement and distribution agreements. Lawyers also provide critical assistance with large-scale corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions and SPAC combinations. A team that includes highly rated former partner Daren Orzechowski joined Allen & Overy LLP in late 2021, but the firm retains several highly qualified lawyers. Clients recommend Arlene Hahn, a New York-based partner „without hesitation,“ who has an extremely strong background in intellectual property and technology-focused transactions and now leads the global technology transaction and outsourcing practice. Erin Hanson, who handles technology and outsourcing contracts, is praised for her „wonderful attention to detail.“ „Intellectual curiosity is crucial to being a good advocate for technology. You may not understand what your customer is pursuing, but you have the intellectual curiosity to ask questions about their goals – „What are your product goals?“ „What do you want to achieve?“ – will help you better serve customers. Cooley LLP is one of the country`s leading technology companies, which is reflected in its multifaceted transactional practices. The team is firmly rooted in the market and represents well-known names of the moment, from Zoom to emerging companies and start-ups. The company`s expertise spans a wide range of business areas, including fintech, cloud computing, digital and social media, healthcare, space, cybersecurity, and nanotechnology.

Corporate and outsourcing lawyers work closely with intellectual property lawyers to advise them on a variety of matters, including mergers and acquisitions, joint venture and business services agreements, as well as the purchase, sale, licensing and development of technology services. Key partners include Adam Ruttenberg of Washington DC for outsourcing and Keith Berets of Denver for intellectual property transactions and related mergers and acquisitions. Len Jacoby, a New York-based partner, has an extremely strong track record advising technology companies, asset managers and investment banks on IP-focused commercial transactions. The team is led out of TJ Graham`s Palo Alto office and includes Charles Haley and Tracy Rubin, who was recently recruited by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. Ropes & Gray LLP has an experienced technology transaction team that is very busy with business acquisitions. The team provides strong support in key strategic mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments and SPAC combinations, where it represents a wide range of funds and technology companies. The practice also advises clients on stand-alone technology transactions, including collaboration and shared services agreements and licensing agreements.