DLA Piper continues to expand its national Emerging Growth and Venture Capital Practice with the addition of partners Alan Bickerstaff and Cassandra Cuellar in Austin
DLA Piper is pleased to welcome Alan Bickerstaff and Cassandra Cuellar as Austin-based partners in the firm’s Emerging Growth and Venture Capital (EGVC) group. Bickerstaff will serve as Head of Texas Emerging Growth.
Bickerstaff and Cuellar are leading EGVC and M&A practitioners who have worked together for more than a decade. They represent entrepreneurs and public and private emerging growth companies on private equity and venture capital financings, public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, formation and corporate governance matters, securities law reporting and compliance matters. Their clients span a wide array of industries, including technology, media, telecommunications, medical device and life sciences, consumer products, energy and renewable energy.
Throughout his career, Bickerstaff has represented companies and investors in over US$1 billion of equity financings and acquirers and targets in more than US$3 billion of public and private company M&A transactions. His notable experience includes representing Volumetric Biotechnologies, Inc. from its formation through its acquisition by 3D Systems; Mavenir Systems, Inc. from its Series A Financing through its IPO and subsequent acquisition by Mitel Networks for US$560 million in a public/public merger; and Spatial Communications, Inc. from its Series A Financing through its acquisition by Alcatel for approximately US$300 million.
Cuellar’s notable experience includes representing Hitachi Energy Ltd. in its investment in H2 Green Steel; Caris Life Sciences in its US$830 million Series D financing and US$400 million term loan financing; Citigroup in its strategic transactions in T-REX Group, Inc. and Aiera, Inc.; and Restream, Inc. in its US$50 million Series A financing.
“Our EGVC group dates back to the early days of the Silicon Valley, and our market-leading group has grown to be among the largest in the country. Alan and Cassandra’s arrival further demonstrates our commitment to providing clients with strategic counsel on transactions involving emerging technologies and innovative solutions,” said Andrew Gilbert, US chair of the firm’s Corporate practice.
“We are delighted to have Cassandra and Alan join us as we continue to enhance our capabilities in Texas and in key sectors such as tech, life sciences and energy,” said Nicole Brennig, managing partner of the Austin office.
DLA Piper’s Emerging Growth and Venture Capital practice includes more than 200 lawyers who provide strategic counsel to emerging companies in high-growth industries, including technology, healthcare, pharma & biotech, financial services, manufacturing, and communications. Over the last three years, DLA Piper has completed more than 2,100 financings globally totaling over US$80 billion.
With more than 1,000 corporate lawyers globally, DLA Piper helps clients execute complex transactions seamlessly while supporting clients across all stages of development. The firm has been rated number one in global M&A volume for 13 consecutive years, according to Mergermarket, and ranked as a top five most active VC legal advisor in the US and number one in VC, PE and M&A in combined global deal volume according to PitchBook.
