Sonnenschein Adds Three to Corporate Group in San Francisco

December 10, 2007

Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP today announced that Stafford Matthews and Edward Grenville have joined the law firm as partners and Varya Simpson has joined as of counsel in its Corporate Practice Group. All three will reside in Sonnenschein’s San Francisco office.

“We are delighted to have Stafford, Ed and Varya on board, both nationally and with respect to our San Francisco office,” said Paul A. Gajer, national chair of Sonnenschein’s Corporate Practice Group.  “With his recognized experience in franchising and distribution, as well as his broad experience in technology licensing, Stafford will greatly enhance our capabilities on the West Coast.  Ed’s expertise in the valuation of illiquid investments will help us expand the services we offer to our existing clients, while also serving as a key distinguishing factor in our efforts to attract new clients to the firm. Varya’s extensive experience assisting trustees of major financial institutions in the issuance of corporate and municipal debt also make her an excellent addition to our group.”

Matthews, whose primary expertise is in the area of distribution, franchising and licensing transactions, focuses his practice on complex distribution and licensing arrangements for technology and consumer products companies, as well as franchise and distributor-related disputes.  He has extensive experience in the regulation and distribution of wine and distilled spirits.   He also handles the development, licensing and transfer of patents and other proprietary rights and technologies, both in the United States and overseas.  Additionally, Matthews, who will also reside in Sonnenschein’s Silicon Valley office, works with inbound and outbound commercial transactions and antitrust and unfair competition issues, serving as outside counsel for numerous public and privately-held companies.  Matthews’ clients include prominent companies in the wine and beverage, consumer electronics, computer, apparel and automotive industries.

Grenville focuses on commercial finance and devotes much of his practice to representing domestic and foreign banks, leasing companies and other financial institutions in financing and equipment leasing transactions.  He advises clients on deal structure and regulatory issues, hiring overseas counsel, and drafting and negotiating transaction documents.  Grenville also works with hedge fund clients in the areas of debt and equity investments.

Simpson’s practice emphasizes corporate finance and corporate trust issues.  She also has experience in financial services and private equity, focusing on letters of credit and bank financing transactions and providing analysis of hedge fund investment structures. 

Matthews, who joins Sonnenschein from Morrison & Foerster LLP,  received a J.D. degree from the University of Michigan Law School and a B.A. degree from the University of California, Berkeley.  He holds a postgraduate diploma in EC Competition Law from King’s College London, School of Law, University of London.  Matthews is a member of the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California.  He recently served as chairman of the State Bar Franchise and Distribution Law Consulting Group and as co-chair of the Franchise Law Committee.

Grenville earned a J.D. degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law.  He received M.A. and B.A. degrees from the University of Oxford.  He comes to Sonnenschein from Nixon Peabody LLP.  Earlier in his career, Grenville served as general counsel of General Electric’s Capital Container Finance division.

Simpson, who also joins Sonnenschein from Nixon Peabody LLP, holds a J.D. degree from the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law.  She also earned an M.A. degree from the University of California, Berkeley and received a B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.  She currently serves as chair of the Women Business Lawyers Committee of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association.

At Sonnenschein, we are committed to providing the highest-quality legal and counseling services for all of our clients, all of the time.  They include many of the world’s most admired businesses, nonprofits and individuals.  Through integrated, inter-office teamwork, we help them to prosper and grow.  For more information, visit www.sonnenschein.com.

Media Contact:

Jeff Mutterperl
Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP
(212) 398-8470
jmutterperl@sonnenschein.com