Fielding an ‘extremely knowledgeable and professional’ team, K&L Gates has extensive expertise in the tech, healthcare, and financial services sectors, frequently assisting clients with traditional M&A as well as with bet-the-company deals. The practice has maintains advises Fortune 500 companies as well as venture capital funds and is jointly headed by Charlotte-based growth equity specialist Rick Giovannelli and Seattle-based cross-border M&A expert Annette Becker. In New York, Robert Zinn is an expert on strategic and cross-border M&A and Calvina Bostick is noted for her expertise with private equity investments, while Kevin Stichter focuses on cross-border acquisitions from Charlotte. Seattle lawyer Jessica Pearlman is an expert on securities and finance matters, while Leah Baucom concentrates on general corporate issues from Charlotte. Pittsburgh lawyer David Edgar, who primarily acts on behalf of boards of directors, and Aleksandr Imas, who practices from Seattle, are further names to note.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Amazing team. They were quick with all responses. Patient and thorough with explanations.’
‘Everyone was responsive and compassionate. They grasped quickly how difficult our situation was and gave calm and helpful advice. Their fast and personal communication was extremely important, both logistically and personally.’
‘I cannot imagine a better experience with a corporate law firm. We were first interested in working with K&L Gates due to their international scope. As a business with team in multiple states and countries, that was critical. While that has been a critical part of the value they've brought to our relationship, what truly distinguishes their firm is their passion and dedication to seeing our company's success. They are on the forefront of technology trends and movements, as well as international trade and the global business landscape. Both of these are key to our business.'
‘Our corporate needs include problem solving, collaboration and dedication. The K&L Gates team delivers with distinction in all these areas, enabling us to accelerate our growth globally while remaining diligent and meticulous in every country that we operate and contract that we enter.’
‘Excellent legal minds that also have unusually high business acumen, which I think is very rare and brings far higher value. True business partners and advisors rather than just documenters.’
‘Jessica Pearlman - she is friendly, responsive and provides practical no-nonsense answers that are easy to digest and implement.’
'The K&L Gates team that we worked with was extremely knowledgeable and professional throughout the process. The deal was complex and various issues arose during due diligence and negotiations that the K&L Gates team was able to guide us through to a successful close. Their expertise and tactful approach definitely contributed to our successful closing.'

Work highlights

Represented FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation and FUJIFILM Electronics Materials U.S.A., Inc. in the $700m acquisition of a semiconductor high-purity process chemicals business from US-based Entegris, Inc.
Advised Microsoft Corporation on its third investment in OpenAI LLC.
Advised Renovaro BioSciences Inc. on its acquisition of all the outstanding equity of GediCube.

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