Mountain View, CA (March 30, 2017) – Fenwick & West is pleased to announce that Chambers Global has again recognized the firm’s lawyers for their corporate, tax, IP and litigation work with top rankings in its annual report. The publication recognized Fenwick partners Sally Abel, Andrew Bridges, Gordon Davidson, James Fuller and David Hayes as leading practitioners.
Fenwick is the only Silicon Valley firm ranked in Chambers Global’s Tax: Corporate & Finance category and the firm has been honored in this practice area for eight consecutive years. Fenwick also has the highest number of lawyers honored in the Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright and Trade Secrets – USA category, more than any other firm.
Chambers Global, which ranks business lawyers from around the world, is known for its solid research and reputation in the legal community. Fenwick’s full 2017 rankings are available through the Chambers Global website.
Tax
The only Silicon Valley firm ranked in Chambers Global’s top tiers for Tax: Corporate & Finance, Fenwick again received honors for tax work in the United States and was named among the best tax practices worldwide. The publication also again recognized partner James Fuller in Band 1 in two categories, International Tax and Corporate Tax.
USA, Tax: Corporate & Finance
Fenwick's tax team—which has represented over 100 of the Fortune 500 largest U.S. companies—worked on many leading transactions in the last several months, including representing King Digital Entertainment in its $5.9 billion acquisition by Activision Blizzard and representing Johnson Controls in its merger with Tyco.
USA, Tax: International Tax and USA, Tax: Corporate
Chambers Global noted that, “commentators describe transfer pricing expert James Fuller as ‘a formidable tax attorney’ and attest that ‘he is one of the top international tax practitioners… and very, very good at what he does.’”
Global Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions
Chambers Global honored corporate partner Gordon Davidson as a leading lawyer in the corporate and M&A space for the 15th consecutive year. “Legendary practitioner Gordon Davidson of Fenwick & West is singled out by sources as the ‘dean of Silicon Valley attorneys,’ with one recognizing him as a ‘rock star guy’ in the market. He brings a vast wealth of experience to representations of life sciences and technology companies,” the publication wrote.
Fenwick’s M&A lawyers regularly represent companies in deals across the globe. In the span of a year, the firm handled the three largest gaming transactions in history—all of which were cross-border, multi-billion dollar deals—including representing Supercell Oy of “Clash of Clans” fame in its recent $8.6 billion stake acquisition by Tencent. The firm also led high-profile deals in e-commerce—representing Jet is its $3 billion acquisition by Walmart, autonomous driving technology—representing General Motors in its acquisition of Cruise Automation, and healthcare—handling Cepheid’s $4 billion acquisition by Danaher. In addition, Fenwick worked on multiple deals for Cisco, Facebook and Symantec.
Chambers Global also honored Fenwick as a leading firm for Israel-related corporate and M&A work for the fourth consecutive year. Chambers notes that Fenwick is “well known for its specialist expertise in the technology industry, representing both international conglomerates and startups operating in the Israeli market.”
Fenwick has one of the premier technology corporate M&A practices, and its IP and tax practices work seamlessly with its corporate practice to deliver highly valued M&A capabilities. The team includes lawyers specializing in IP, tax, licensing and executive compensation who can address key focus areas of technology M&A such as IP prowess and due diligence, along with tax structuring.
Intellectual Property & IP Litigation
Fenwick has the highest number of lawyers ranked in the Chambers Global Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright and Trade Secrets – USA category. This year, Chambers Global honored partners Sally Abel, Andrew Bridges and David Hayes for their work in these practice areas.
USA, Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets
Chambers Global once again ranks Fenwick trademark chair Sally Abel in Band 1 in the USA: Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets category, recognizing her strength and leadership in this practice area. Sources praised Abel as “very smart and knowledgeable" and an "outstanding trademark attorney,”Chambers Global reported. “She is praised for her efficiency and her abilities advising on IP portfolio management matters.” Peers also told the publication that “any firm would be delighted to have her in its team. She is excellent.”
Chambers called out Fenwick copyright litigation co-chair Andrew Bridges in the USA: Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets category, noting that “the ‘brilliant’ Andrew Bridges of Fenwick & West LLP is a ‘copyright expert who lives up to expectations,’ according to one client.” The publication highlighted Bridges’ experience defending internet services clients facing claims of copyright infringement. “He is an amazing lawyer and is truly talented at depositions,” another source said.
Fenwick IP partner David Hayes received recognition in the Chambers Global guide for the USA: Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets and USA, Intellectual Property: Patent categories. “‘Copyright guru’ David Hayes of Fenwick & West LLP is an ‘excellent resource’ for clients on a range of counseling matters, including the development of protection strategies, infringement avoidance advice and licensing contract negotiations,” Chambers Global wrote. “He also assists with contentious matters including litigation arising from claims of infringement.”
About Fenwick & West
Fenwick & West LLP provides comprehensive legal services to ground-breaking technology and life sciences companies – at every stage of their lifecycle – and the investors that partner with them. We craft innovative, cost-effective and practical solutions on issues ranging from venture capital, public offerings, joint ventures, M&A and strategic relationships, to intellectual property, litigation and dispute resolution, taxation, antitrust, and employment and labor law. For more than four decades, Fenwick has helped some of the world's most recognized companies become and remain market leaders. For more information, please visit fenwick.com.