Aktualności

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13 Oct 2008

Jonathan F. Atzen joins DLA Piper’s Corporate and Finance group

Top Corporate Attorney Expands Firm’s Public Company and Venture Capital Capabilities in Los Angeles

Informacja Prasowa

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(Los Angeles) – DLA Piper today announced that Jonathan F. Atzen has joined the firm’s Corporate and Finance practice group as a partner in the Los Angeles and Century City offices. Atzen comes to the firm from publicly traded Advanced Cell Technology where he served as its Senior Vice President and General Counsel and, more recently, from LA-based venture capital fund Anthem Venture Partners.

Atzen focuses his practice on corporate securities and venture capital/private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, technology transfer and general corporate representation. He has represented emerging growth technology entrepreneurs and both private and public companies in such diverse industries as life sciences, semiconductors, wireless communications, software and alternative energy technologies. In addition, he provides general corporate counsel to public companies with respect to securities offerings, including initial public offerings, secondary offerings, PIPEs and spin-offs, and reporting and compliance matters under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

“Jon has developed an excellent reputation within the venture capital/private equity community here in Los Angeles, and he adds depth to our venture capital practice in southern California,” said J. Terence O’Malley, DLA Piper US Managing Partner. “His extensive experience and relationships with leading California-based entrepreneurs, innovators and investors, particularly in the technology sector, will bolster the firm’s ability to advise clients on the development of early stage ventures.”

Continuing to Build a Leading Global Corporate and Finance Practice

“In addition to his law firm experience, we believe Jon’s operational and management experience as general counsel for a publicly traded company and venture partner at a venture capital firm will be a great asset to our clients,” said Jay Rains, Co-Chair of DLA Piper’s Global Corporate and Finance Practice Group. “Jon’s experience and contacts in the Los Angeles venture capital arena will help us continue to expand the firm’s life sciences and corporate capabilities in this dynamic and growing market. We are delighted to welcome him to the team.”

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 third globally in venture capital and private equity deals, based on 761 transactions worldwide (according to Private Equity Analyst, 2008). In addition, according to VentureSource, the firm represents more venture-backed companies in the Southern California region than any other law firm.

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 Jonathan F. Atzen

Prior to joining DLA Piper, Atzen was a member of the Venture Law Group at Heller Ehrman. He later joined Advanced Cell Technology, a life sciences portfolio company of Anthem Venture Partners, as senior vice president and general counsel. Atzen then returned to Anthem as a venture partner and counsel and was actively involved in investment decisions while managing all legal aspects of the fund and the existing portfolio investments.

He received a J.D. from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and a B.A. in Economics from the University of California in Santa Barbara.