Nationally Renowned Capital Markets and Venture Technology Lawyers Margaret H. Kavalaris and Tami J. Howie Join Sonnenschein
April 15, 2008
(WASHINGTON, April 15, 2008) - Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP today announced that capital markets and venture technology attorneys Margaret “Maggie” H. Kavalaris and Tami J. Howie have joined the national law firm in Washington, D.C., as partners in its Corporate Practice Group. Kavalaris, who has spent the bulk of her career practicing in Silicon Valley, and Howie are widely respected deal lawyers in their field, whose industry expertise includes information technology and biotech. At Sonnenschein, they will focus on emerging-growth technology companies on behalf of issuers, venture funds and underwriters.
“Maggie has an outstanding national reputation as a pre-eminent technology deal lawyer, with an impressive network of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and emerging growth underwriters,” said Paul A. Gajer, national chair of Sonnenschein’s Corporate Practice Group. “Equally impressive are Tami’s skills in the areas of venture capital, public offerings and M&A. Their value and contributions to the firm will be felt not just in the D.C. and Northern Virginia area, but also in Silicon Valley where Maggie practiced for more than 20 years and nationally as well.”
Added Victor H. Boyajian, national chair of Sonnenschein’s Venture Technology Group, “The expansion of the firm’s corporate and venture technology practices with the addition of Maggie and Tami in the Washington office reflects the continued nationwide strategic growth of our firm’s venture/emerging-growth practice. Their work is highly synergistic with our multidisciplinary focus and will no doubt allow us to consolidate our strategic gains as a leader in the sector.”
Kavalaris and Howie have extensive transactional experience, covering venture financings, mergers and acquisitions, and public offerings. Kavalaris represents companies in all stages of their development, including intellectual property and licensing strategy development and founder and corporate governance matters. Her work is complemented by Howie’s experience, which includes public and private offerings of debt and equity and SEC reporting and compliance. They have worked with clients and issuers such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, CIBC, Lehman Brothers, Novak Biddle, Updata, Medarex, Pharmacopeia and Initiate Systems.
While in Silicon Valley, Kavalaris spent several years as chair of the corporate and securities group at Gray Cary Ware and Freidenrich LLP (since merged with DLA Piper). She was a member of that firm’s executive board, served as its national marketing partner and was the managing partner of its office in Washington, where she and Howie worked together. Most recently, they were partners at Cooley Godward Kronish LLP in Washington; Kavalaris was the founding partner of that office.
“Sonnenschein is an exceptional firm with a strong presence and reputation with venture-backed companies. It is a go-to firm when cutting-edge technology companies require sophisticated regulatory advice and advocacy,” said Kavalaris. “I have known many of my new colleagues for years and I am thrilled to be joining them and contributing toward Sonnenschein’s continued dynamism in the venture and other arenas. This is an extremely positive move for our clients.”
Added Howie, “Sonnenschein is a real leader in the areas of corporate and venture technology work. Along with Maggie, I am delighted to be here and to help the firm expand its reach in the mid-Atlantic region and nationally.”
Kavalaris is a frequent speaker on technology, corporate finance, law firm management and women in leadership in law firms. She serves on the Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and is chair of the Women’s Campaign Forum in Washington. Kavalaris has been recognized over the years by various legal publications as a top lawyer in California and Washington. Howie serves on the Board of Advisors of the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. In 2004, she was named a “Corporate Finance Young Gun” by the Washington Business Journal.
According to figures reported in Dow Jones' Private Equity Analyst, Sonnenschein's Venture Technology Group was recently listed among the top 10 firms nationally for the number of venture capital deals closed in 2007.
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
