As competition in Silicon Valley’s transactional legal market heats up, the latest firm to bolster its emerging companies practice is King & Spalding.
Linda Lorenat, who had practiced law at Latham & Watkins since June 1999, is now a partner in King & Spalding’s Silicon Valley office. Lorenat advises emerging companies and start-ups on corporate transactions, and represents venture capital firms making investments in the former.
In an exclusive interview with IFLR1000, Lorenat commented on the changing texture of the legal market in Silicon Valley, and her new employer’s place within it.
“You have your indigenous Silicon Valley firms, and then your firms like King & Spalding that are not indigenous to the area but have come in and leveraged their global platform in the emerging companies space. For me, to be able to be part of a growing emerging companies practice at a large international law firm like King & Spalding was compelling,” Lorenat stated.
Moving to King & Spalding, Lorenat rejoins two of her former Latham colleagues, partners Tom Duley and Laura Bushnell. Lorenat makes her move at a juncture marked by rising deal activity. The market for emerging companies has been on the upswing for some time now, she noted.
“I think that last year was a pretty terrific year on that front, and this year seems to be holding the same promise so far. The improvement to the economy generally is very helpful, and, in particular, there’s also the continuing entrepreneurial spirit in Silicon Valley. There’s money to be invested in promising ventures. I work in both the biotech and the tech sectors, and I think this is a good time to be raising money in both industries,” Lorenat commented.
Lorenat holds a J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law and a B.A. from Santa Clara University.