The Cooley LLP team specializes in handling high-value transactions in the life sciences, tech, and media industries, displaying a special focus on buy-side M&A and strategic exits. The practice routinely advises domestic and international clients on cross-border stock and cash acquisitions, with the San Diego-based co-head Barbara Borden being an expert in complex joint ventures, restructurings and activism matters. The other co-head, Jamie Leigh, operates out of San Francisco and regularly assists boards and special committees with strategic issues, and Ben Beerle routinely acts on behalf of multinational tech corporations. Steven Tonsfeldt focuses on the software and pharmaceutical spaces from Palo Alto, and the ‘outstanding’ New York-based Bill Roegge is knowledgeable on cross-border private and public M&A.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Cooley is unique in that as a firm, they do a great job to thoroughly understand their client, as well as the situation, before offering advice and counsel.’
‘Bill Roegge is an outstanding lawyer who not only advocated for us as their client, but also is a very decent, respectful person, who is successful without being arrogant or off putting.’
Key clients
- Amryt Pharma
- Carmot Therapeutics
- Centerview
- CinCor Pharma
- Commure, Inc.
- Grindr
- Horizon Therapeutics
- IAA
- Levi Strauss & Co.
- Morgan Stanley
- Neogene Therapeutics
- Netflix
- Nuvolo Technologies, Inc.
- NVIDIA
- OliveAI, Inc.
- Qatalyst Partners
- Snowflake
- Uber
- VectivBio Holding AG
- Zoom
Work highlights
- Advised Horizon Therapeutics on its sale to Amgen for $28.3bn.
- Advised IAA, Inc. on its $7.3bn cross-border stock and cash acquisition by Ritchie Bros.
- Advised Absolute Sofware on its sale to Crosspoint Capital for approximately $870m.
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 lawyers
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Jamie Leigh
Cooley LLPNext Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Ben Beerle
Cooley LLPPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Barbara Borden, Jamie Leigh