Technology Transactions
Empowering you to push the boundaries of possibility
Transactions serve as the lifeblood for technology and life sciences companies like yours. You require a thoughtful roadmap and tailored advice to protect each arrangement fueling your technology and intellectual property. Our tech transactions practice leverages its exceptional breadth and depth of expertise, garnered from advising clients across industries at every stage of their evolution, to efficiently structure, draft, and negotiate agreements to help you achieve your strategic objectives while safeguarding your interests. We proactively identify opportunities and navigate potential pitfalls, so you can focus on growth.
With over 60 attorneys based across the United States, our technology transactions team is one of the largest dedicated intellectual property counseling and licensing practices in the country. Our team members come from diverse backgrounds, including working internationally in software development, the U.S. military, academia, and scientific research, which allows us to integrate seamlessly and collaboratively within your organization, equipped with deep technical knowledge and commercial sensibility.
Clients rely on our top-ranked team for an extensive understanding of technology and the business implications of the advice we provide.Decades of Technology Focus
As a Silicon Valley original, we are privileged to be repeatedly engaged by both emerging disruptors and acclaimed companies leading their respective industries. Our market-leading tech transactions lawyers are recognized for their focus on key verticals in the technology space, including:
- Adtech
- Artificial Intelligence
- Computer hardware and software
- Digital media and entertainment
- E-commerce
- Games
- Healthtech
- Life Sciences
- Semiconductors
- Web3
For over half a century, Fenwick has developed a comprehensive service offering to support these verticals, which is grounded in all substantive areas of intellectual property, including copyright, data privacy, open source, patent and trademark.
Business-Critical Technology Transactions
We possess deep expertise and extensive experience advising on sophisticated technology transactions structures and complex strategic endeavors, including:
- Strategic partnerships and joint ventures
- Development, R&D, and consulting agreements
- Vendor and supplier agreements, including outsourcing and manufacturing arrangements
- Reseller, VAR, OEM, and other types of distribution arrangements
- Software and technology licenses and acquisitions
- Patent licensing
- University licensing
- Standard bodies involvement
Powerhouse in Transactions
In recent years, Fenwick has handled approximately $650 billion in transactions, with nearly 75% involving technology companies. Two notable examples, Figma's proposed $20 billion acquisition by Adobe and Facebook's acquisition of WhatsApp, are the top two largest sales of a private technology company in history. Our technology transactions offering, and deep subject matter expertise, has been central to the success of these deals.
Forefront of Emerging Technologies
Our tech transactions attorneys are pioneers in advising on emerging technologies and novel issues related to AI, machine learning, Web3, media, and entertainment, big data and automation. At the forefront of innovation, we have notably helped establish industry-standard practices addressing pertinent issues before they are commonplace, including innovative offering models and first-of-their-kind transaction structures that have gained industry-wide adoption.
Expertise at Every Milestone
In Fenwick’s technology transactions team, you have a powerful ally at every stage of your company's lifecycle. Whether you're an entrepreneur in a co-working space or a global enterprise driving profitability for shareholders, we can help you achieve successful business outcomes while protecting your intellectual property assets.
Fenwick is highly responsive and gives us cogent business advice styled to decision making rather than just issue spotting.”
Client Quote, Chambers USA 2023
Recognition Recognition Recognition
Recognition Recognition Recognition
Chambers USA
2024
Chambers USA recognized Fenwick as a Band 1 firm for Technology - California as well as a leading firm for Technology - Nationwide
The Legal 500
2024
The Legal 500 recognized Fenwick in the highest tier nationally for Technology Transactions
Managing IP
2022, 2023
Shortlisted for Firm of the Year - Nationwide for IP Transactions (2023), Recognized as a Tier 1 firm nationally for Technology Transactions (2022)
IAM Patent 1000
2024
IAM Patent 1000 listed Fenwick as "highly regarded" for Technology Transactions
Chambers USA
2024
Chambers USA recognized Fenwick as a Band 1 firm for Technology - California as well as a leading firm for Technology - Nationwide
The Legal 500
2024
The Legal 500 recognized Fenwick in the highest tier nationally for Technology Transactions
Managing IP
2022, 2023
Shortlisted for Firm of the Year - Nationwide for IP Transactions (2023), Recognized as a Tier 1 firm nationally for Technology Transactions (2022)
IAM Patent 1000
2024
IAM Patent 1000 listed Fenwick as "highly regarded" for Technology Transactions