DLA Piper expands Emerging Growth and Venture Capital capabilities with Partner Abrar Hussain in Palo Alto

DLA Piper has added Abrar Hussain as a partner in its Emerging Growth and Venture Capital practice in Palo Alto, further strengthening the firm’s capabilities across life sciences, venture capital, and the broader innovation economy.

Hussain brings more than 25 years of experience across investment funds, biotech, and financial services industries. He advises on fund formation, operations, fundraising, limited partnership negotiations, portfolio company support, complex mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, licensing, and cross-border transactions. He is the former General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Samsara BioCapital, a hybrid public/private biotech investment firm with approximately US$2.1 billion in assets under management and more than 100 portfolio companies.

“In today’s market, clients need counsel with sharp judgment, deep transactional experience, and a sophisticated understanding of the venture capital and life sciences ecosystem,” said Andrew Gilbert, Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Corporate practice. “Abrar’s investor side experience further supports our ability to help life sciences and tech clients navigate complex challenges, capitalize on opportunities, and execute on their most important strategic objectives.”

Hussain’s arrival also reflects the firm’s continued investment in its West Coast Corporate practice. In the last 18 months, the firm has added Partners Josh Seidenfeld, John Hutar, Frances Mosley, Brady Berg, Ken Funahashi, Sarah Chambless, and Michael Dorf.

DLA Piper’s Emerging Growth and Venture Capital practice includes more than 200 lawyers who provide strategic counsel to emerging companies and venture capital firms in high-growth industries, including technology, healthcare, life sciences, and financial services. Over the last three years, DLA Piper has completed more than 2,100 financings globally, totaling more than US$80 billion. The firm is ranked among the most active global law firms for venture capital deal volume, according to PitchBook.