Cooley Celebrates First Year in China

Shanghai, China – October 18, 2012 – Cooley LLP announced today that its forthcoming first anniversary in China was honored with a gala celebration on October 18 at the Peninsula Hotel on the Bund, across from Cooley's new Shanghai office. The event was attended by more than 400 business executives, dignitaries, friends of the firm and Cooley attorneys from China and across the United States.

"As our first anniversary approaches, it is worth noting that we've worked closely with Chinese businesses and colleagues for many years prior to opening an actual office in Shanghai," said Joe Conroy, Cooley's CEO, who spoke at the event. "For example, we have been active in China's investment funds market since 1989. And, today, thanks to the leadership of Cooley partners Craig Dauchy, Ian O'Donnell and Jordan Silber, we have one of the world's leading practices in forming dollar-denominated China venture capital and growth equity funds. Long-standing relationships with investors, entrepreneurs and companies in China, coupled with strong cross-office teamwork, are revealing great opportunities that allow our investment in the office to come to fruition."

Cooley's Shanghai office has made considerable progress since its late 2011 launch, when Cooley received its license. Business partners Brad Peck and Patrick Loofbourrow, and associate James Lu, relocated from the United States to establish the office. In June 2012, Cooley welcomed its first two locally recruited attorneys to the office: partner Christina Zhang and associate Benjamin Qiu, whose breadth of experience and expertise, most notably in life sciences and early-stage tech companies, further strengthen Cooley's offering in China. More recently, two additional attorneys from large law firms in Shanghai joined the firm. Oak Ma and Dali Qian provide additional bench strengths on corporate and transactional issues, including M&A, joint ventures, private equity, international transactions, and foreign direct investment in China. During its first year, Cooley Shanghai has differentiated itself from other law firms in China by leveraging its experience at the intersection of law and innovation by focusing on its leading venture capital, life sciences, information technology, clean energy and technologies practices.

"Despite the competition in China's legal market, we've been able to grow the office with experienced attorneys who are attracted by the opportunity to work with some of the most innovative companies and entrepreneurs in China," said Brad Peck, partner-in-charge of Cooley's Shanghai office. "With Cooley's established brand, expertise in key sectors and our great relationships with leading private investment funds in China, we are confident that we are laying a strong foundation for a long-term, vibrant practice in the region."

Cooley continues to be one of the world's go-to firms in the innovation space. The firm's 300+ litigators represent some of the world's most inventive companies, and its IP practice was recently named to the National Law Journal's elite ‘Hot List' for 2012. Last year, Cooley was involved with 32 public offerings with a combined value of (USD) $4.1 billion for internet companies including LinkedIn, Millennial Media and Yelp. In fact, more than 35 successful public offerings have already been completed in 2012. In addition, Cooley has been the pre-eminent firm for issuer-side life sciences IPOs over many years, with one of the leading life sciences practices in the United States. In June 2012, Cooley's global investment fund formation group closed three funds, all in Shanghai, that raised a total of more than (USD) $1 billion. In a typical year, Cooley will handle more than 400 venture deals each year.

About Cooley LLP

Cooley's attorneys have an entrepreneurial spirit, substantive experience and are committed to solving clients' most challenging legal matters. From small companies with big ideas to international enterprises with diverse legal needs, Cooley has the breadth of legal resources to enable companies of all sizes to seize opportunities in today's global marketplace. The firm represents clients across a broad array of dynamic industry sectors, including technology, life sciences, venture capital, clean energy, real estate and retail.

The firm has full-service offices in eleven major business and technology centers: Boston, MA; Broomfield, CO; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; Palo Alto, CA; Reston, VA; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; Seattle, WA; Washington, DC; and Shanghai, China.

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