News

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12 May 2008

Craig Andrews joins DLA Piper in San Diego

Top Corporate Attorney Joins Four Recent Additions to Bolster Firm’s Emerging Growth and Venture Capital Capabilities

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(San Diego) – DLA Piper today announced that Craig Andrews, a leading corporate attorney in California, has joined the firm’s Corporate and Finance practice group as a partner in the San Diego office.

His arrival comes on the heels of partners Michael Kagnoff, Martin Nichols, Jeffrey Thacker and Ross Burningham joining DLA Piper’s Corporate and Finance practice in that same office last month. The attorneys, including Andrews, come to the firm from Heller Ehrman, LLP. Prior to Heller, Andrews was a partner in the San Diego office of Brobeck Phleger and Harrison for nearly 20 years, serving as Chairman of that firm’s National Business and Technology Practice during the late 1990’s .

“Craig is one of the most highly regarded corporate attorneys in California, with over three decades of experience advising both public and private companies,” said J. Terence O’Malley, DLA Piper U.S. Managing Partner. “Our experience in numerous deals with Craig over the years, combined with his longstanding relationship as a colleague of the partners who recently joined us in San Diego, will translate into a seamless integration with the firm’s corporate practice. We are delighted to welcome him to the team.”

Andrews focuses his practice on emerging companies and deal-making. He represents private and public companies, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, and has an extensive background in the medical device, biotechnology, software telecommunications, electronics, alternative energy and retail industries.

“I am thrilled to be joining such a respected and established team at DLA Piper - some of whom, like Jay Rains and Knox Bell, I have known for over 20 years - as well as continuing to work with my colleagues who recently joined the firm,” said Andrews about his move. “I am excited by the opportunities that DLA Piper provides for my practice – not only in the Unites States, but around the world.”

Continuing to Build a Leading Global Corporate and Finance Practice

“Craig’s profile in the investment community and active involvement with a number of key funds will enhance our already strong VC presence throughout California and beyond,” said Jay Rains, Co-Chair of DLA Piper’s Global Corporate and Finance Practice Group. “In addition, Craig’s history of leadership in the San Diego market and his reputation as a skilled mentor will be of tremendous benefit to our talented, younger corporate attorneys.”

DLA Piper’s Corporate and Finance practice includes more than 800 lawyers worldwide and is recognized as one of the most active in the private equity sector. Last year, the firm ranked 3rd globally in venture capital and private equity deals, based on 761 transactions worldwide (according to Private Equity Analyst, 2008).

DLA Piper lawyers advise clients on public and private debt and equity securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions and reorganizations, in addition to corporate governance, IT, tax, compensation and technology issues.

About Craig Andrews

Previously, Andrews was a co-founder and director of Collateral Therapeutics, Inc., a NASDAQ-listed biotechnology company which was sold to Schering AG in 2002. He was also Vice President of Business Development at AirFiber, a venture-capital backed laser telecommunications company founded to commercialize technology developed at UCSD.

Additionally, Andrews has served as a member of the Board of Directors of many companies and organizations, including Elgar Electronics (NASDAQ, sold to Dobson Park Industries), Endonetics (sold to Medtronic), GeneFormatics (sold to Genpathway), Axxora Life Sciences (sold to Enzo Biosciences), Encad (NASDAQ, sold to Kodak), Alexis Biochemicals (sold to Qbiogene), Rubios Restaurants (NASDAQ), Legacy Bank (merged into Landmark Bank), the San Diego Venture Group, the UCLA Alumni Association and the San Diego County Water Authority.

Andrews is Honorary Consul of Denmark for San Diego County. He was also president of the San Diego Consular Corps from 2004 to 2006 and is a member of the San Diego City Mayor’s Science & Technology Commission.

He received a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and a B.A. from UCLA.