Global law firm Cooley LLP announced in recent days that it has opened an office in Shanghai, China.
The opening of the Shanghai office broadens the firm’s market leadership in advising innovative companies and investors in sectors spanning software, hardware and mobile technology, digital and social media, life sciences and clean energy into one of the world’s most dynamic and essential markets.
Joe Conroy, Cooley’s chief executive officer was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “The opportunity to expand Cooley’s footprint into China is extremely exciting given how well our core practices are aligned with the country’s growth areas and how many of our clients are established in China and plan to grow aggressively there. We will bring to bear the full breadth of the firm’s resources and experience in support of our Shanghai office and clients based in China or doing business there.”
Based in Silicon Valley, Cooley attorneys offer specialized insight and experience to companies and investors in high-growth sectors. The firm’s resources and services in China will span venture capital fund formation and investment, capital markets and corporate transactional advice, as well as market-leading experience advising clients in commercial, IP and securities litigation.
Highly experienced Cooley corporate partners Brad Peck and Patrick Loofbourrow, who have relocated from California, will lead the new Shanghai office. Peck, who will head the Shanghai office, specializes in corporate and securities law and focuses his practice on the representation of technology and life science companies ranging from start-ups to publicly held corporations. Loofbourrow concentrates his practice in representing emerging technology and life sciences companies, and venture capital and other firms that invest in such businesses.
Peck was quoted as saying: “We are dedicated to establishing a long-term presence in China and continuing to build the Shanghai office through the addition of talented local attorneys. Given Cooley’s market leadership in advising innovative companies across the United States, we believe we are well positioned to partner with and support our clients in the burgeoning global technology sector.”
For over two decades, Cooley has been advising on China-related matters. In 1989, the firm advised on the formation of the first institutional venture capital fund investing in China. To date, the firm has formed 43 Chinese venture capital and private equity funds for almost 20 fund managers. In addition, Cooley represents various U.S. fund managers with respect to their investing activity in China, including fund managers with sponsored groups and representative offices in China.
Craig Dauchy, head of Cooley’s leading Venture Capital practice was quoted as saying: “Given our robust levels of fund formation activity in China, we anticipate Cooley fund formation attorneys will spend a significant amount of time on the ground there in support of these clients and continuing to expand our presence in that market.”
Cooley has over 650 attorneys in full service offices across the United States and in Shanghai, China. The firm represents clients in a wide range of dynamic industry sectors, including technology, life sciences, venture capital, clean energy, real estate and retail.