DEPARTMENT PROFILE

Fenwick

Startups & Emerging Companies

4 ranked lawyers

Band 1

USA - Nationwide

USA 2022 View ranking table

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Ranked Lawyers

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What the team is known for

Fenwick demonstrates the sought-after ability to counsel startup businesses, particularly in the tech sector, on the full extent of company growth processes, as well as advising venture capital investors. The firm operates at the forefront of cutting-edge technology markets, including fintech, virtual reality and the sharing economy. Noted for its connections to Silicon Valley technology companies and venture capital firms, due to its long-established presence in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Strengths

"The Fenwick team is phenomenal. The team has the right demeanor and rapport between being tough and collaborative which checks all our boxes."

"Fenwick has a ton of market knowledge and is helpful in tracking the evolution of financing terms."

"The team is very responsive and knowledgeable."

Work highlights

Fenwick represented Databricks, a unified data analytics company, on its $1 billion Series G financing.

Notable practitioners

Cynthia Clarfield Hess acts for startups in transactions undertaken at all stages in their lifecycle.
"Cynthia is very experienced, she has tons of relevant experience." "She's very strong, very smart and a great communicator."

Gordon Davidson continues to draw great acclaim for his representation of Silicon Valley's leading technology companies.
"He is a legend in the space." "He's a major player in the market."

Mark Stevens represents high-growth companies in the science, gaming and media industries.
"Mark has preeminent knowledge and experience allowing him to provide strategic advice."

Michael Esquivel maintains a strong practice representing digital health startups and their investors in the Silicon Valley area.
"Michael is thorough and easy to work with as he is responsive and pragmatic." "Michael is a nice guy and a smart lawyer."

Department Information

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Overview

Fenwick & West provides comprehensive legal services to emerging companies in the technology and life sciences industries, as well as the investors that partner with them. Our VC-backed clients include the world’s most notable private technology companies which the firm has advised in some of the largest venture capital deals in history.

Deep understanding of how technology companies are formed, financed, grown and taken public or acquired
Provides clients with a single point of accountability for substantially all their corporate legal needs along with executive compensation and employee benefits, intellectual property, privacy and other areas
Guidance on business model issues and fundraising strategies
Invest in off-the-clock meetings with management and the Board
Practical legal advice, delivered with sound business judgment
Earn the role of trusted advisor

Fenwick’s strong presence in Silicon Valley and other tech hubs like New York City, Seattle and Shanghai enables us to facilitate valuable introductions for clients raising venture capital, and also connect venture capital firms with high-quality emerging companies.