BOSTON, March 18, 2010 – Goodwin Procter announced today the continued expansion of its technology companies and intellectual property practices in California with the addition of Anthony J. McCusker, Craig M. Schmitz and James D. Riley, Jr. to the firm’s Silicon Valley office. McCusker and Schmitz’s practice focuses on representing venture capital firms and emerging growth companies, particularly in the technology sector. Riley counsels emerging growth technology and life sciences companies in all aspects of intellectual property strategy, corporate partnering and strategic alliances, technology licensing, acquisition and commercialization. They will join the firm from Gunderson Dettmer within the next few weeks.
McCusker will assume a leadership position within the firm’s technology companies practice as a co-chair of the group. “These highly regarded attorneys are well known for their business acumen and commitment to client service,” said Kevin Dennis, chair of Goodwin Procter’s Silicon Valley office. “They will be an enormous asset to our team in Northern California, and we are thrilled they have chosen to join our growing practice.”
Goodwin Procter was ranked the 4th most active law firm in the U.S. by Dow Jones Private Equity Analyst, based on the number of venture capital and private equity deals negotiated and closed in 2008. Today, with 160+ attorneys within its technology companies group, Goodwin Procter has one of the largest tech and life sciences practices in the country, which is supported by significant IP, tax and private investment funds groups, as well as its nationally-recognized growth equity and capital markets teams.
McCusker and Schmitz specialize in representing technology companies in a wide range of transactions. They work closely with venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and underwriters in venture financings, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and initial public offerings. Riley has significant experience in a broad array of industries in the areas of corporate partnering and strategic alliances, licensing, joint venture transactions and IP strategy.
“Building on our long-standing commitment to the venture capital and tech industries, Anthony, Craig and Jim will play an integral role as we continue to expand our practice nationally and internationally,” said John Egan, co-chair of Goodwin Procter’s Technology Companies group. “They represent some of the leading VCs and most cutting edge companies in Silicon Valley and are some of the most respected and capable corporate lawyers in the Valley.”
Goodwin Procter, with more than 100 attorneys in California, first established its West Coast presence in 2006, opening offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco. It expanded in 2007 with offices in San Diego and Silicon Valley. “Our California offices are one of the primary strategic pillars of the firm and we are delighted to welcome these highly skilled attorneys,” said Regina M. Pisa, chairman and managing partner of Goodwin Procter.
Attorney Biographies
Anthony J. McCusker advises companies in their entire corporate life-cycle, from pre-incorporation planning to venture capital financings to mergers and acquisitions. He specializes in a wide range of corporate, securities and partnership law, primarily focusing on the formation and financing of venture capital funds and emerging growth companies, and also works with investment banks involved in public and private stock offerings. McCusker earned his J.D. from Hastings College of Law at the University of California and his B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley.
Craig M. Schmitz counsels private and public emerging growth companies, with an emphasis on technology companies, and advises issuers and underwriters involved in public offerings and mergers and acquisitions. Schmitz also represents venture capital and private equity firms in buyout and recapitalization transactions. Prior to joining Gunderson Dettmer, Schmitz was Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and General Counsel at Ariba, Inc., an enterprise software company. Schmitz earned his J.D. and B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley.
James D. Riley, Jr. represents emerging growth technology companies in corporate partnering, strategic alliances, joint ventures, technology acquisition, spin-off transactions and intellectual property strategy, counseling and protection. He also specializes in the intellectual property and technology aspects of mergers and acquisitions, public offerings and venture capital financings in sectors as diverse as computer software and hardware, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and telecommunications. Riley is a member of the Intellectual Property Section of the California Bar Association, the California State Bar and the American Bar Association. He earned his J.D. from the University of California at Davis and his B.A. from the University of California at Los Angeles.
About Goodwin Procter
Goodwin Procter LLP is one of the nation’s leading law firms with offices in Boston, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Washington, D.C. The firm’s core areas of practice are corporate, litigation and real estate, with specialized areas of focus that include financial services, private equity, technology, REITs and real estate capital markets, intellectual property, tax and products liability. Information may be found at www.goodwinprocter.com.