Howard Clowes concentrates his practice in the representation of public companies, venture finance, M&A and corporate collaborations. He has represented clients in the life sciences, semiconductor, networking, telecommunications and other industries.

Recent Matters

Mr. Clowes has recently represented:

• PDL BioPharma in various strategic transactions including stockholder initiatives to elect candidates to the board, three asset sales of PDL's marketed products and of its manufacturing facilities in 2008, and its spinoff of Facet Biotech Corporation as a public company in late 2008
• Trident Microsystems in its multijurisdictional acquisition of assets from Micronas in 2009
• Extreme Networks in its US$100 million Dutch auction self-tender in 2008
• Trident Microsystems regarding stockholder initiatives in 2009
• Facet Biotech Corporation regarding stockholder initiatives in 2009
• SciClone Pharmaceuticals in settling a potential proxy contest in 2009
• PDL BioPharma in its $800 million collaboration with Biogen Idec
• Trident Microsystems, PDL BioPharma, Facet Biotech Corporation, SciClone Pharmaceuticals and Extreme Networks in corporate, SEC filings and governance matters

Mr. Clowes' practice is focused on the following areas:

• Advising public and private companies and their boards in securities law, general corporate, corporate governance and stockholder initiative matters
• Representation of targets and acquirers in more than 120 mergers and acquisition transactions with a total value in excess of US$20 billion
• Representation of technology and life science companies in venture financing
• Representation of life sciences and other companies in negotiations with collaborative partners

Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business names Mr. Clowes as a leading lawyers in Life Sciences, commenting on his "notable biotechnology practice." Mr. Clowes has been named a Northern California Super Lawyer in every year since 2005, as the result of a joint research project conducted by Law & Politics and San Francisco magazines. He has also been listed in The Best Lawyers in America.

Prior to the merger of Gray Cary and DLA Piper, Mr. Clowes was the managing partner of Gray Cary's Transaction group, with responsibility for the operations of the Corporate/Securities, Intellectual Property, Tax and Real Estate groups.