Priya D. Patel

Priya advises high-growth private companies and leading venture capital investors on the transactions and strategic decisions that drive innovation and growth. She counsels clients throughout the company lifecycle, from formation and early-stage financings through growth-stage transactions, liquidity events and exits.

Priya serves as a trusted advisor to management teams and boards on corporate governance, equity and financing strategy, venture capital financings, secondary transactions and other complex corporate matters. She has particular experience advising companies across AI and frontier technology, defense technology, health and life sciences, media and entertainment, and consumer products.

In addition to her company-side practice, Priya represents leading venture capital funds in investments in emerging and growth companies. She advises investors on fund and portfolio company matters, including investment structuring, term sheet negotiations, diligence, follow-on financings and secondary transactions.

Having advised on hundreds of venture financings and numerous strategic transactions, Priya brings a practical, business-minded approach to helping companies and investors navigate growth, scale and change. Her representative clients include FYI.AI, VXB Aerospace, Andrena, Quantimetrix and Tala, and investors including Craft Ventures, Sanabil, Capital F, Black Opal Ventures and Peak XV.

Based in Cooley's Santa Monica office, Priya is deeply engaged in the region's venture and emerging companies ecosystem while maintaining a national and international practice. She also advises accelerators and incubators and regularly speaks on corporate governance, venture capital and trends shaping the innovation economy.

Before entering private practice, Priya served as a law clerk to Senior Judge Samuel H. Mays Jr. of the US District Court for the Western District of Tennessee.