John Clendenin

Partner
jclendenin@cooley.com
Full contact info

Working in the heart of Silicon Valley, I’ve been able to collaborate with some of the most successful investment firms in the world.

About John

John's practice focuses on the representation of domestic and international investment funds, including venture capital, private equity, fund-of-funds, secondary funds and special opportunity funds in connection with their formation, operation and investment activities. He has represented sponsor organizations in the formation of over 50 fund programs, ranging from some of the most well-known multi-billion dollar investment firms to much smaller firms forming seed and early-stage venture capital, angel and similar microcap funds.  In addition to his fund formation practice, John also represents a number of emerging growth companies in financing transactions and general corporate matters. 

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Experience

Sierra Ventures Launches $265 Million Fund XIII

Sierra Ventures Launches $265 Million Fund XIII

September 12, 2023

Cooley advised Sierra Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm focusing on emerging technology companies, on its $265 million Fund XIII.

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Related contacts

John Clendenin
Partner, Palo Alto
Paul Roberts
Of Counsel, San Francisco
Bernard Hatcher
Partner, San Francisco
Stacey Song
Partner, New York
Sean Murphy
Partner, Singapore
Francis Wheeler
Partner, Colorado
Stuyvie Pyne
Associate, New York
Annie Reid
Paralegal Specialist, Palo Alto

Related Practices & Industries

Fund Formation
Emerging Companies
Venture Capital
Tax
Financial Services Regulatory
Technology

Arboretum Ventures Closes $268 Million Sixth Fund

Arboretum Ventures Closes $268 Million Sixth Fund

July 10, 2023

Cooley advised Arboretum Ventures, a healthcare venture capital firm, on the closing of its $268 million sixth fund.

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Related contacts

John Clendenin
Partner, Palo Alto
Rachel Goddard
Partner, Chicago
Paul Roberts
Of Counsel, San Francisco
Leah Duncan
Associate, Chicago
Julie Rogers
Paralegal Specialist, Palo Alto

Related Practices & Industries

Fund Formation
Venture Capital
Emerging Companies
Healthcare
Medtech
Life Sciences
Tax

Vesey Ventures Announces $78 Million Debut Fund

Vesey Ventures Announces $78 Million Debut Fund

April 28, 2023

Cooley advised Vesey Ventures, an early-stage venture firm focusing on financial services solutions, on the closing of its $78 million debut fund.

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Related contacts

John Clendenin
Partner, Palo Alto
Elizabeth Reese
Partner, San Francisco
Stacey Song
Partner, New York
Paul Roberts
Of Counsel, San Francisco
James Linfield
Senior Counsel, Colorado
Fiona Hayman
Associate, San Francisco

Related Practices & Industries

Venture Capital
Fund Formation
Fintech
Financial Services Regulatory
Technology
Tax

Ridge Ventures Closes $180 Million Ridge V Fund

Ridge Ventures Closes $180 Million Ridge V Fund

April 27, 2023

Cooley advised Ridge Ventures, an early-stage venture firm investing in software, on the closing of Ridge Ventures V, L.P. (Ridge V) and related entities at $180 million, its largest fund to date.

Related contacts

John Clendenin
Partner, Palo Alto
Katia MacNeill
Associate, San Francisco
Molly Buchanan
Associate, Washington DC

Related Practices & Industries

Venture Capital
Fund Formation
Technology

Overwater Ventures Announces $20 Million Debut Fund

Overwater Ventures Announces $20 Million Debut Fund

April 25, 2023

Cooley advised Overwater Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm, on the closing of its $20 million debut fund.

Related contacts

John Clendenin
Partner, Palo Alto
Katelyn Kimber
Associate, Washington DC
Paul Roberts
Of Counsel, San Francisco
Jon Turk
Senior Paralegal, Washington DC

Related Practices & Industries

Venture Capital
Fund Formation
Emerging Companies
Tax
Technology
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Rankings & accolades

Chambers USA: Venture Capital: Fund Formation – Nationwide (2020 – 2023)

Chambers USA: Venture Capital: Fund Formation – California (2020 – 2023)

The Legal 500: Investment Fund Formation and Management – Private Equity Funds (including Venture Capital) (2020-2022)

John is excellent to work with as he is incredibly responsive, thoughtful and able to synthesize issues in a way that is practical. He knows our fund structures and risk profile well. He is unfailingly client-oriented, highly responsive and great at managing his internal resources.

Chambers USA